The total area now held by leases from the Crown is 5,729,281 acres. The demand for pastoral or grazing country is still very keen, and areas in Central Otago suitable for fruit culture are much sought for.
During the year past the provisions of part VIII of ''The Land Act, 1908'' (occupation leases in mining districts), have been largely utilised in the acquisition of such areas, as also have those of section 129 of the 1908 Act, as amended, which allows a free selection of unsurveyed land.
Where the land is selected on a pastoral run under these latter provisions the consent of the runholder has to be obtained prior to the granting of any application. It is satisfactory to find that, as a rule, the runholder does not withhold his consent unreasonably.
The land board has had to exercise special care in considering these ''spotting'' applications, as, though its desire is to foster the fruit-growing industry, it finds that in some cases where areas are applied for the granting of the applications would seriously interfere with the future subdivision of the run.
It is again a pleasure to record that the Crown tenants have had a prosperous season, and, in consequence, are well up in their payments; and, also, that, in the matter of improvements, they have, generally speaking, kept them well up to the mark.
The desire on the part of selectors to acquire the freehold of their holdings has been somewhat more marked this year than previously.
Fifty-one tenants have acquired the fee simple of an area of 7861 acres. Of these 51, nine held occupation with right of purchase licenses, 29 held leases in perpetuity, seven perpetual leases, one perpetual lease village settlement, one occupation with right of purchase village settlement, three lease in perpetuity village homestead, and one renewable lease land for settlement.
New selectors still evince a partiality for the occupation with right of purchase tenure, more especially as the right of purchase is now exercisable at any time after six years from the date of the license.
Scarlet fever is reported to be rife in South Dunedin and St. Kilda just now, and it is also reported that the necessary caution is not being exercised in some of the places where the fever has made its appearance.
A story is going the rounds that a medical practitioner was called in to attend a case the other day, and that he considered it so mild that it was unnecessary to report it to the health authorities.
The result of this indiscretion was that some visitors - two ladies and a child - were subsequently received at this house and they have all been attacked by the fever. - ODT, 31.7.1914.
