C—l

1948 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS (ANNUAL REPORT ON)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 30th June, 1948. I have the honour to submit the annual report on the settlement of Crown lands for the year ended 31st March, 1948, together with particulars of operations under the Small Farms Act, 1932-33, the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929, and the Servicemen's Settlement and Land Sales Act, 194-3. I have, &c., D. M. Greig, Under-Secretary. The Hon. the Minister of Lands.

REPORT

GENERAL REVIEW Reports from the districts indicate that Crown tenants generally have had another satisfactory year. As at 31st March, 1948, the tenants on the books of the Department numbered 34,633, occupying a total area of approximately 17,245,075 acres. Land for all types of farming has been in very keen demand, and particular care has been exercised by the Department to ensure that any suitable Crown properties becoming available for re-selection are offered with minimum delay. Opportunities for civilian selection of Crown lands have been very limited, as all suitable blocks are required for the settlement of discharged servicemen, and additional land is still being acquired and purchased for that purpose.