A.—7

7

It is stated in the Official Year-book that " since the earthquake of 1855, which raised the level of the land in the neighbourhood of Wellington Harbour about 5 ft., there has been no shock in the New Zealand region proper which has at all approached the destructive phase," and that " earthquakes in New Zealand are rather a matter of scientific interest than a subject for alarm." Climate.- - The climate of New Zealand is one of the most delightful in the world for white people to live in and to carry on farming operations. It is eminently suitable for the growth of a wide range of crops, and the keeping of the breeds of live-stock commonly met with in this country. Much the same methods of farming are practised in New Zealand as are pursued in Great Britain, only under more agreeable and favourable conditions. In a country extending approximately 1,000 miles north and south with great variations in altitude it is natural that the temperature should vary considerably, but on the whole it is very equable and healthy, and pleasant for man and beast. In the North Island the weather is mild throughout the year. The temperature is more varied in the South Island, the summers are hot and the winters cold, but the air is so clear and dry that both are enjoyable. Except on the mountains, where snow, and in some places glaciers, exist, the climate is by no means rigorous. Rainfall.- On the whole the rainfall is excellent. In the North Island it averages from 35 in. to 45 in. per annum, with considerably more in some parts and rather less in others. In the South Island it is somewhat lower, and in Central Otago, which is the driest part of the Dominion, the average decreases to 15 in. to 20 in. per annum. As a rule, the rainfall is reliable and is well distributed throughout the year, though even in the most favoured parts droughts occasionally occur. Another very delightful and, to the farmers, extremely helpful feature is the amount of sunshine that is enjoyed, despite the amount of rain and the number of days per annum upon which it falls. Soils. —Owing to the broken and diversified nature of the country, the soils vary greatly in character. Some, both on the flat as well as on the sides of the mountains, are of poor quality, but on the whole they are good for farming. Many of the valleys and plains, consisting of deep alluvial soils, are extraordinarily rich, and excellent soils are also found on the sloping sides of many of the mountains. A good deal of low-lying and swamp land —too wet and sour to be of use in its natural state — has been drained by the Government and converted into magnificent grazing and cropping land. Reclamation of other water-logged areas is proceeding. Lime is needed in many parts, and the demands made upon the soils by the heavy growth of crops and grass render the application of phosphates necessary. It is a common practice on the best grass and arable land to apply about 2 cwt. of superphosphate or its equivalent per acre per annum. In its natural state the country was covered with dense forest or bush, and, as in most new countries, there has been a lamentable waste of timber. Steps are now being taken to preserve and control the forests on Crown lands, and a certain amount of reafforestation is being carried out. But a good deal of waste is continuing. 17. Lands, alienated or available. —According to the Official Year-book for 1923 the condition of the land of the Dominion is as follows :— Acres. Total area held on freehold .. .. .. .. ..17,952,017 Total area granted under Acts without money payment or held for public purposes .. . . .. .. .. . . 9, 978, 608 State forests . . . . .. .. .. .. . . 1,689,511 Provisional State forests .. .. .. .. .. 5,404,806 Total area of Crown leases .. .. .. .. .. 18,964,512* Total area open for selection .. . . .. . . . . 426,245* Total area of Native land .. .. .. .. .. 6,308,155 Estimated area of barren and worthless land .. .. .. 2,530.917* Estimated area occupied by roads, rivers, lakes, &c. .. .. 2.288.117* Total area remaining for future disposal (excluding land classified above) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,481,856* It will thus be seen that by far the greater part of the land of the country is hold by private persons either on freehold or on lease from the Crown or by the Natives, and that the amount of Crown land available for settlement is not large. As in other parts of the world—more, perhaps, on accounts of its particular advantages—land in New Zealand suitable for farming has been eagerly sought after for many years past. So keenly has land approved of for farming been taken up —especially for dairying and sheep -that we saw dairy farms situated on the sides and tops of hills and mountains that could not be reached by wheeled vehicles, being accessible only by means of saddle and pack animals. Even the timber for the houses and furniture (in some cases pianos) had been " packed." The Under-Secretary for Lands states that in October last there were 660,000 acres of land available for selection, 204,290 acres under survey, and 900,500 acres to be put under survey. According to the description of the land by the Department, the greater part of it is poor, hilly, or broken ground or light pumice country. The only considerable areas of unoccupied land brought to our notice were; what are known as the green lands and the pumice lands in the North Island.

* Includes portions of 1,732,512 acres of provisional State forests shown under previous heading of " Provisional State forests."