MISCElvIvANKOUS INFOR]\IATION 

 REI.ATING TO AGRICULTURAI, ECONOMY IN GENERAI,. 



AUSTRALIA. 



I, AND SETTIvHMENT IN 19 15- 191 6 



New South Wales. — The annual report of the Lands Department 

 for the year ending 30 June 1916 shows that in that 3^ear 2,279,417 acres 

 of land became available for settlement in New South Wales. Areas 

 aggregating 1,345,218 acres were withdrawn from long leases and 535,478 

 acres were resumed. Four estates were acquired under the Closer Set- 

 tlement Acts. In all thirty-four estates, providing 1660 farms, were ac- 

 quired. Forty-six of these farms, comprising 41,637 acres, were vacant on 

 30 June 1916. 



The following figures show the progress of settlement on the various 

 estates acquired under the Closer Settlement Acts : — Number of farms 

 allotted, 1609 ; area allotted, 748,573 acres ; persons resident, 7,410 ; area 

 prepared for cultivation, 357,591 acres ; value of improvements, £1,149,802; 

 value of plant and machinery, £326,844 ; number of horses, 17,584 ; sheep, 

 191,924 ; cattle 12,610. 



The report of the Western Land Board states that, owing to the con- 

 tinuance of drought and the absence of so many men at the war, there 

 was little demand for land in the western division. Seven new leases were 

 issued and concerned an aggregate area of 29,936 acres. The receipts for 

 the year amounted to £90,073 and the expenditure to £10,518. 



Victoria. — As regards Victoria the report of the Lands Department 

 for the year ending 30 June 1916 states that the absence on mihtary service 

 of a large proportion of the young men of the State was a grave deterrent 

 to new settlement. The following figures show its progress in the year : 

 — 568 holdings aggregating 101,556 acres, exclusive of Mallee land, new- 

 ly selected ; 238 holdings of Mallee land, aggregating 140,325 acres, newly 

 selected; 146 holdings aggregating 46,522 acres selected out of grazing 

 area leaseholds ; 179 holdings aggregating 3,175 acres converted to selec- 

 tion tenure. 



There was an appreciable decline in the demand for Mallee land. 



It was hoped in the esaXy part of the year that the exceptionally 

 large wheat harvest would result in considerable payments of the arrears 

 of rent due to the department, but against this the war conditions 

 operated. These arrears on 30 June.1915 were on crown lands, £49,233 

 i8s. 5^. and on Mallee lands £127,184 is. 5^,; and on 30 June 1916 they 

 were £45,141 on crown lands and £140,060 on Mallee lands. Not less 



