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EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. AUCKLAND. (H. M. Skkbt, Commisßioner of Crown Lands.) Two new settlements have been acquired and placed on the market during the year—the Gorton Settlement, near Cambridge, of 1,024 acres, divided into ten sections from 54 to 120 acres; and the Clifford Settlement, near Tirau, on the Rotorua Railway-line, consisting of 1,068 acres, divided into eight sections from 31 to 312 acres. There was a good demand for both settlements, the whole being readily disposed of. Negotiations have been completed for the purchase of a further block of 1,400 acres near Cambridge, which is now being prepared for disposal, and for which a keen demand is anticipated. The Ranger's reports on the established settlements disclose generally a very satisfactory state of affairs, the settlers being in a prosperous condition, and their holdings well farmed and improved. In a few cases where the condition of the lands at the time of selection was such as to necessitate considerable labour and expenditure to bring the holdings into reproductive condition the holders have not yet surmounted their initial difficulties, which are being accentuated at the present time by the price of materials required for improvements; but these difficulties will disappear in time, and the settlements will ultimately become prosperous. The small settlements in the neighbourhood of Auckland are in good condition, and in many cases the freehold is being acquired with a view to further subdivision.

HAWKE'S BAY. (W. H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) In the northern or Poverty Bay portion of the district all the settlements art- well established and in a very prosperous condition. The area devoted to cropping and dairying is very limited. The price paid for butter-fat this season was a record for this district, and as practically all the settlers who confine themselves Xo dairying have a few acres of lucerne they reaped the full benefit of the high prices. A big majority of the land-for-settlement lessees in this district are engaged almost wholly in the production of wool and fat stock, and have had a very successful year. All the lessees are fully complying with the conditions of their leases. In the southern portion of the district there are now twenty-one settlements, of which two were opened for selection during the year—viz., Gwavas, with twelve settlers holding an area of 5,987 acres, and Otamauri. with fifteen settlers holding an area of 6,887 acres. On the former eight selectors are already residing, and 246 acres have been ploughed and are in crop. Improvements are proceeding apace, and the prospects for this new settlement tire very promising. Otamauri, which adjoins Sherenden and Waihau, was only disposed of in March, 1916. The settlers in this part of the district engaged in pastoral and dairy farming, and these comprise by far the largest proportion, have all profited by the high prices ruling for their products, and may be said to have had a highly successful season. On several of the smaller settlements near Hastings the lessees for the most part are engaged in fruit-farming and agricultural pursuits, and these also have had a fairly successful year. It may be said that all the settlements tire in a, prosperous condition, and that with regard to the residence and improvement conditions of the leases a highly satisfactory state of affairs exists. A considerable number of the lessees have availed themselves of the right to acquire the freehold during the year.

TARANAKI. (G. H. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates have been placed on the market during the year, and there are still five settlements on the books, representing 5,269 acres. All these settlements are well past the initial stages, and are now in a very satisfactory position. Favoured with good seasons, the past year has seen distinct progress and good returns, on the whole, from the land in occupation. Nine holders under this heading acquired the fee-simple during the year, either for cash outright or by way of deferred payments.

WELLINGTON. (G. H. M. McCltjre, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The only new settlement purchased and offered during the year was the Bartholomew, at Levin, which was opened in June, and comprised six allotments, a total area of 97 acres 3 roods 30 perches. All the sections were selected. Good progress has been made in the Heatherlea, Poroporo, and Falloon Settlements, acquired during the last three years, though road access has yet to be completed to some of the Poroporo sections. The balance of the Tablelands Hikawera, Longbush, and Mahupuku—.'i,.">4B acres, will be dealt with undei the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, also 167 acres in Hall-Jones and Waddington.

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