C.—l.

HAWKE'S BAY. (F. R. Burnley, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No purchase of new areas have been made during the year. Settlers 011 the older established settlements have had no difficulty in meeting their charges. On some of the newest settlements used for fruit-growing the results have been disappointing owing to inclement weather conditions. TARANAKI. (F. H. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were purchased during the year. The position of settlers generally shows some improvement, particularly the sheep-farmer, and most of these should be able to meet charges. The dairy-farmer's position has not improved to the same extent, but even here the small increase in the price of butterfat will be of great benefit. WELLINGTON. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There is very little to report under this heading. No new estates were acquired during the year. Most of the settlers on land-for-settlements estates follow dairying for a livelihood. Some settlers on estates situated in the Wanganui and Lower Wairarapa districts have had a trying year with floods and have suffered some losses. Those who follow sheep-farming have had a fairly successful year, as prices obtaining for sheep and wool have been distinctly better. NELSON. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There have been no purchases under the Land for Settlements Act in this district during recent years. Most of the settlers are now fairly well established. It has been necessary to make rental concessions to a few to tide them over the slump period ; but, with the prospect of a return to better prices, the majority should be able to pay their way without difficulty. MARLBOROUGH. (P. R. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were purchased in this district during the past year. My report on Crown lands covers the whole ground as far as land for settlements is concerned. Practically the whole of our land-for-settlements areas are devoted to pastoral or mixed farming. WESTLAND. (G. I. Martin, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were purchased in this district during the past year. The report on ordinary Crown lands applies with equal force to lands-for-settlement areas, and if the present prices for produce are maintained settlers should be able to face the future with some degree of confidence. CANTERBURY. (J. F. Quinn, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were purchased for settlement during the year. The Brinklands Estate at Fairlie is still being farmed by the Department, and although the farming operations resulted in a profit the returns were not as good as anticipated, as owing to the wet season difficulty was experienced in fattening the lambs and harvesting operations were seriously affected by the heavy rain during that period. A portion of Ashton Settlement at Seafield is also being worked by the Department as an irrigation farm, but owing to the wet season very little irrigation was required. The condition of the farm has been improved and, although not as good as anticipated, the result of the farming operations can be considered as satisfactory. OTAGO. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the past year no new areas were purchased and opened for settlement. Crown tenants on areas selected under the above Act have generally had a satisfactory year, as in most cases the sections are of sufficient area for mixed farming being carried on. This class of farming has allowed for grain-growing, with a good flock of ewes and the fattening of lambs ; and although the grain crops generally suffered through a dry spring, resulting in lighter crops, this was compensated by the satisfactory price obtained for fat lambs. Those on smaller areas and devoted to dairying have found the price for this product unsatisfactory, and are looking forward to a more equitable adjustment for the coming year. SOUTHLAND. (T. Cagney, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) As the majority of settlers under this heading depend mainly on dairy-farming, they are still handicapped by low butterfat-prices. Settlers depending wholly or mainly on sheep enjoyed a successful season.

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