Cv^l.

Transfers completed during the Year ended 31st March, 1914.

Land Revenue and Accounts. The gross revenue received for the year was £153,229, which is an increase of £32,076 over the previous year. Rebates to the amount of £8,880 were granted to 1,268 tenants. The transactions in connection with survey liens still continues to increase, the amount received under this heading being £2,663. Ordinary revenue receipts numbering 4,214, and fifty-one provisional-title receipts were passed through the Receiver's cash-book. The sum of £10,198 was paid into the Local Bodies' Deposit Account, and £10,403 was paid to local bodies. In the ordinary deposit account, £19,662 was received and £20,520 disbursed. Vouchers to the number of 947 were dealt with, representing an amount of £27,044, being a large increase on the previous year's transactions. Expenditure of "Thirds," "Fourths," and "Halves." Twenty proposals for expenditure of the sum of £10,403 were submitted by the local bodies and approved of by the Land Board. The amount at credit at the end of the financial year was £6,605 3s. sd. Included in this amount are "thirds" on the Manawangiangi, Otawhao, and Makaretu Blocks. The roads to and through these blocks have not yet been completed and handed over by the Government to the local bodies. Land Board. Nineteen ordinary and special meetings of the Laud Board were held during the year at Napier, and four ordinary meetings of the Board were held at the local Lands Office at Gisborne. Special meetings of the Board were held at Woodville, Takapau, Dannevirke, and Waipawa. in connection with land-ballots. Visits were made by the members of the Board to Manawaangiangi Block, Lindsay, Springhill, and Tongoio Settlements, to make themselves cognisant of the actual conditions and requirements of settlers and the value of the land. General Review. The transactions for the year show a large increase on all previous years, and the amendments in the Land Act, giving extended rights to acquire the fee-simple of leases, has largely increased the revenue and also the work in the office in dealing with and arriving at the amounts of the payments. The season has been a very prosperous one, and the settlers are for the most part in a sound prosperous condition. The demand for small and medium areas of good land is still unsatisfied, as the recent ballot for Springhill Settlement disclosed when out of eighty applicants, nearly- all local residents and good. bona fide men, only fifteen were able to obtain sections.

* No inspection required. f Two transfers of half interest.

6

t Number of Transfers. Area. A r a1ue of Improve- Consideration ments effected. money paid. Ordinary Crown lands Occupation with right of purchase .. Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Cash .. .. .. Pastoral runs Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous licenses 22 30 5 1 3 4 8 A. K. P. 8,844 2 20 10,445 2 28 2,286 1 13 2 0 0 20.325 0 0 6,102 2 0 268 3 6 I £ s. (1. t s. (I. 11,730 .1 11 40,734 12 0 42,801 5 0 76,026 9 4 3,070 5 0 4.762 16 3 * 5 0 0 * 2,500 0 0 8,130 0 0 f4,480 5 0 * 616 5 0 Totals 73 48,274 3 27 65,731 11 11 129,125 7 7 Land for settlements— Lease in perpetuity Renewable lease Small grazing-runs Miscellaneous licenses 27 13 1 1 7.421 2 39 2.952 1 19 1,040 0 0 2 1 0 18,514 2 1 I 43,559 4 6 10,677 16 6 j 17,730 12 0 2.021 0 0 ! 6,240 0 0 * Nil Totals .. 42 11,416 1 18 31,212 18 7 I 67,529 16 6 * 50 0 0 Land Settlement Finance Act I 102 1 20 Education endowments 22 i .__} i 10,719 3 37 ! * 45,662 6 10 96.944 10 6 I 242.367 10 II Grand totals 138 ! 70,513 2 22 , I