MEN MAKING GOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19405, 13 August 1926, Page 12

MEN MAKING GOOD.

THE AUCKLAND DISTRICTS.

REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS. SUCCESS IN MOST CASES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The reports of the Commissioners of Crown Lands for North Auckland and Auckland on soldier settlement for 192526 show that many settlers are making good farmers and that tho number leaving their holdings tends to decrease. Mr. H. J. Lowe, Commissioner for North Auckland, states the relief afforded by the revaluation of soldiers' farms has been followed up by revaluation of current accounts for advances for stock, implements and improvements. The work has not yet been completed. It is hoped that on completion of this investigation values will havo been reduced in keeping with the producing capacities of the farms and the average soldier farmer afforded such relief as will enable him to meet his future obligations and assure him an adequate competence. Very few applications have been made by discharged soldiers for land thus showing that the work of repatriation is practically complete. Land previously proclaimed and set aside for discharged soldiers is now being made available for general selection. In comparison with the average civilian farmer the soldier is more than holding his own and is proving a good husbandman. Eevaluation Applications. Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to determine the measure of success attendant on tho relief afforded by the revaluation. The total number of applications received was 958, of which 716 were recommended for approval as follows: — Purchase of farms, 18; transfer of farms, 32; postponements, 287; erection of houses, including additional advances, 37; transfer of houses, 159; advances on current account, 183. The total amount recommended on current account was £28.890. Sixty-one farms were abandoned during the year and 40 were disposed of. Every endeavour is being made to get these farms occupied as deterioration is rapidly taking place, and liberal terms are being offered in order to ensure occupation and production. Mr. K. M. Graham, commissioner for Auckland, says that steady progress has taken place. With added experience and with the maintenance of fair market prices for produce, success is assured or in sight for the majority of settlers, who are diligently applying themselves to tho work of improving not only their holdings, but also the class of stock being carried. It is confidently expected the additional assistance granted to many settlers during the year by way of further advances on current account will enable them to carry out productive im provements to ths extent of placing them in a position to meet their commitments to the department. Securities Well Maintained. - During the" year the investigation of current accounts has been continued, and it has been found that with very few exceptions the security in stock and chattels has been fairly well maintained. In many instances a surplus in stock has made up for the fall in values since the original purchases were made. Lack of proper care and attention has in many cases been responsible for the department's losse<3 in tho past, but with the elimination of the careless or indifferent settler there will not in the future be the same proportion of lo3s due to this cause. The number of current accounts in operation is 1147, and the several amounts of loans and advances outstanding at the end of the year were as follow:—lnstalment mortgages on farms,. £942,728; instalment mortgages on dwellings, £435,471; current account advances, £724,244. ___________