23

o.—l

MARLBOROUGH. The two settlements —viz., Hillersden and Lynton Downs —opened for selection during the year were competed for by numerous applicants, the forty-three allotments on Hillersden having 258 applicants, and Lynton Downs—eleven allotments —136 applicants. All the allotments were disposed of. A pleasing feature of the Hillersden ballot was the number of the late employees on the estate who acquired sections, and also the influx of new blood to the district, Canterbury alone supplying seventeen settlers. With one or two exceptions, all the successful applicants seem satisfied with their holdings, the only drawback being the almost prohibitive price of stock, especially ewes, which will mean a big drain on the means of some of the new settlers. The main feature of the Lynton Downs Settlement ballot was the success of local applicants, eight out of eleven allotments balloted for falling to Kaikoura people, although the number of outsiders competing was large. The total population on the land-for-settlement holdings is 1,145; the number of sheep is 110,851, a slight increase over last year's figures; cattle have increased from 1,503 to 1,851, owing principally to the high price paid for milk by the dairy factories, one company collecting cream by motor-car from all the land-for-settlement holdings in the vicinity of Blenheim. The area in white crops is 10,048 acres; and in green crops 9,191 acres, about the same as last year. The improvements required by the Act are £93,310, while the improvements actually effected by the tenants amount to the large sum of £213,671. The number of transfers of land-for-settlement rural holdings during the year was fifteen; the value of the improvements amounting to £11,536, and the amount paid for the goodwill £27,155. The climatic conditions during the year have been exceptionally favourable, and the lessees have experienced one of the best of seasons. The low price of barley and chaff will affect those who go in largely for cropping, but all engaged in pastoral pursuits should do well. IT. G. Price, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

WESTLAND. Only two estates —Kokatahi and Poerua—have been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act, and each of the settlements established is a very decided acquisition to the district. As illustrating the increase in value, it may be mentioned that the goodwill of sections in these estates would at the present time average at least £5 an acre, and the fact that notwithstanding this increase in value not one section in either of the settlements has changed hands during the year shows that the settlers have acquired their holdings with a view to providing permanent homes for themselves and their families, and that they are well satisfied. The settlers generally confine their attentions to dairying, with excellent results. Compared with last year, the stock-returns show an increase of about 1,300 sheep and 300 cattle. H. D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

CANTERBURY. Two new settlements were opened for selection under renewable-lease tenure during the year, as follows: Tara, eight sections; and Lansdown, nine sections, all of which were disposed of. Three sections, comprising 1,405 acres, undisposed of in the Timaunga Settlement Extension, have been merged in adjoining holdings. Eighteen unseleeted sections in various settlements have been taken up during the year. The Rangers' reports for the year show that with the exception of two or three settlements all the settlement tenants in this district are satisfied with their holdings, a great many doing exceedingly well, and the remainder can be said to be successful and holding their own. The settlements in this district have shown a steady and satisfactory progress during the year. The grain crops have been good, and the lambing returns have been very high, as the season has been very mild, and there has been an abundance of feed. With the high prices ruling for fat lambs, and the cost and uncertainty of procuring labour at harvest-time, a considerable area which has been previously utilized for grain-growing will now be devoted to producing fat lambs. Dairying also appears to be taking the place of grain-growing on the good heavy lands in many places. As regards the fulfilment of the statutory improvement conditions, the position can be regarded as eminently satisfactory. The proportion of actual defaulters in respect to requirements is small, and in most instances of these cases of default the improvements effected are sufficient in the meantime for the profitable working of the sections. It is noticeable that substantial and up-to-date improvements in the way of buildings and fencing, &c, are being erected. The past winter has been a mild one, which had a, marked beneficial result on all products. On the older settlements the lessees' interests are greater than the Crown's, and, although the term of compulsory residence has expired, the tenants still make their permanent homes on the land, and continue to make improvements,