DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: DISCHARGED SOLDIERS SETTLEMENT. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1917.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1917 Session I, C-09

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1917. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: DISCHARGED SOLDIERS SETTLEMENT. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1917.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section l.j of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915.

CONTENTS. General Report— Pago. General Report— continued. rage. Part I.—Settlement during Year: Part ll— continued.' Review of Position.. .. .. ..2 Experience in Improved-farm Settlements .. 6 Amendment of Act.. .. . . . . 2 Postponements and remissions of Rent .. 7 Regulations .. . . .. . . 3 Part 111. —Expeditionary Force .. .. 7 Inquiries by Applicants .. .. .. 3 Lands opened for Application .. .. 3 Appendix— Classes of Applicants . . . . .. 4 Reports of Commissioners of Crown Lands 8-10 Outside Assistance to Soldier Settlors .. 4 'Pablo 1. —Land proclaimed for Settlement during Lands selected .. . . .. .. 5 Year .. .. .. .. ..-11 Stocking of Farms .. . . . . .. 5 Table 2. —Applications received and Lands allotted 12 Land for Maori Soldiers .. .. ..6 Tabic 3.—Total Lands acquired by Discharged 13 Part II. —Financial Assistance:— Soldiers Advances . . .. .. .. .. 6 Statement of Accounts .. .. 14

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist June, 1917. In accordance with the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, I have the honour to submit herewith the report on the operations under the Act for the year ended 31st March, 1917. I have, &c, T. N. Brodrick, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, 8.C., Minister of Lands.

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REPORT. PART I.—SETTLEMENT DURING YEAR. Review of Position. I. Tun successful settlement of our returned soldiers on the land is recognized as of paramount importance, and has continuously occupied the attention of the Government since the despatch of the first Expeditionary Force. ' The passing of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act in 191.5 laid down in concrete form the methods and principles on which land was to be provided and allotted to discharged members of the Expeditionary Forces on their return to New Zealand; and the amending Act .of last year extended its scope in many respects. In addition, other provisions in the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1915, and Part TT of the War Legislation Amendment Act, 1916, provide for further concessions to members of the Expeditionary Forces both during their period of service and afterwards. Regulations were prepared and issued defining the methods and giving effect to the provisions of the Act, and every possible care has been taken by all officers of the Department entrusted with the administration of the Act to carry out in as sympathetic a manner as possible the provisions of the statutes, having due regard to the individual requirements of the selectors and the intentions of the Government. 2. On the whole the results have been very satisfactory, but it must be borne in mind that up to the present only comparatively few of the members of the Expeditionary Forces have returned to New Zealand and been discharged. The bulk of the work of settlement therefore still remains to be done, and a large proportion of the lands of the Dominion suitable for their occupation should be retained until the main body of the Expeditionary Force returns to our shores, so as to ensure that all our soldiers have an equal chance of securing land, and in particular, that those who have served continuously or for long periods at the front shall not be overlooked in favour of others who may have returned to New Zealand after a short period of service. 3. In this connection it cannot be too strongly emphasized that the success of the soldiers as settlers depends very largely on their own individual efforts. The Government is finding the land, and financing them in order that those who wish to do so may earn their living by that means, and the concession granted must not be regarded as being in the nature of a bounty that can be exploited in any way. The law wisely makes this quite clear by prohibiting the transfer or sale of the allotments for a period of ten years after selection except with the approval of the Minister and Land Board. The majority of the soldiers already settled realize this, and are working in a manner that gives great promise of success; some have been most successful already, hut a few have shown that, they have neither the will nor the capacity to succeed. The position may, however, be considered very encouraging as the percentage of failures is not higher than it would be in ordinary settlement. During the year full information was given to all inquirers, and from time to time various particulars were published by the Government in the Press so as to bring the methods and procedure in the application for and allotment of land, to the notice of all interested persons. 4. The problems that confront the Government are many, and it is evident that only a strict and sympathetic co-operation between the individual applicants, the various societies that work on their behalf, the Land Boards, Government Departments, and officers administering the Act can ensure the fullest success being given to the scheme of settlement which has been, launched under such favourable auspices. It is pleasing to record the manner in which the Land Boards, departmental officers, representatives of various soldiers' societies, and administrators of patriotic funds, together with individual members of the general public, have up to the present responded to the call upon their services, and every effort will be made in the future, as in the past, to keep in close touch with all sections of the community who are in any way affected by the operations of the Act. Ameetoment op Act. 5. As was to be expected with legislation dealing with a new problem, a few months' experience of the working of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, made it desirable that some of its provisions should be extended, and the amending Act of last year provided that residents of New Zealand who have served with other Forces during the present war should be permitted to acquire land under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, and the financial assistance provided for in. that Act may now be given to any discharged soldier who is the lessee or licensee of any of the land that is administered by a Land Board though not acquired under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. Land required for the purposes of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act may be taken eompulsorily under the Public Works Act, 1008, as well as purchased under the Land for Settlements Act, and authority was given to raise £500,000 for the acquisition of land for the settlement of discharged soldiers, whilst the amount authorized to be raised for the purpose of advances under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act was increased from .£50,000 to £100,000. (i. The Appropriation Act, 1916, authorized the expenditure of £20,000 for reading lands set apart under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act.

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7. In addition the War Legislation Amendment Act, 1916, though not dealing directly with discharged soldiers, granted further privileges to members of the Expeditionary Force, particulars of which are given in paragraph 41, under Part [11, Concessions to Members of the Expeditionary forces. Regulations. 8. The original regulations under the Act were'published in the Gazette of the 11th November, 1915, while supplementary regulations regarding advances were published in the Gazette of the loth March, 1916. Amending regulations gazetted on the 16th November, 1916, 12th April, 1917, and 10th May, 1917, extended the conditions of occupation and leasing of the land by making further provisions of the Land Act applicable thereto, and giving greater elasticity to the conditions of occupation. Hitherto financial assistance was given to the extent of £500 to enable discharged soldiers to erect dwellinghouses, effect improvements, and purchase stock, and the amending regulations further provided that the Minister of Lands might purchase such materials or articles as may be required, and dispose of them to settlers under the Act at cost price plus freight. The effect of this alteration has been most beneficial, as purchases of stock and material have from time to time been made by the Department on behalf of settlers on better terms than they themselves could have made, and in no case has a settler been obliged to purchase such material from the Department except at his special request. 9. Further amendments of the regulations will have to be made from time to time, as unforeseen difficulties will occasionally crop up and will require to be met and overcome. Inquiries by Applicants. 10. It is most essential that every returned soldier should be afforded the fullest information as to the method of securing land and the terms on which it is allotted. A. special pamphlet giving such particulars has been published, and is distributed to all soldiers' clubs, associations, or bodies dealing with returned soldiers, and it is also supplied to every applicant or person inquiring for particulars of the scheme. 11. In each office of the Department officers have been detached to deal with inquiries by returned soldiers or other persons on their behalf, and representatives of various societies have from time to time received special letters containing fidl information on various phases of the scheme. 12. To enable discharged soldiers to inspect land that they may consider suitable for their requirements, arrangements have been made by which every applicant under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act is refunded the cost of a second-class railway ticket used in travelling to view the land he has applied for. As is only to be expected the number of inquiries is steadily on the increase, and there is no doubt thai the operations under the Act will gradually form a very large proportion of the work of settlement undertaken by the Department. 13. A reference to the report of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington, which appears in the appendix, indicates the methods adopted in that office of dealing with soldier settlers, and is typical of the procedure adopted generally by the various District Offices of the Department. Lands opened for Application. 14. To deal with the numerous applications that would inevitably be made, a large area of land was proclaimed during the year. It comprised 159,825 acres of ordinary Crown land throughout the Dominion, which under ordinary circumstances would have been opened for application by the general public, but being suitable for occupation by discharged soldiers has been withdrawn from application under the Land Act and set: aside under the Discharged. Soldiers Settlement Act. This has been supplemented by 32,859 acres of national endowments, which cannot, of course, be acquired in freehold by the selectors, but can be disposed of on renewable lease for sixty-six years with right of renewal for further terms of sixty-six years. 15. An area of 3,453 acres in the Cheviot Estate was also available for leasing by discharged soldiers under various tenures, and in addition to the foregoing areas no less than 80,153 acres of land set apart under the Land for Settlements Act was proclaimed for discharged soldiers. The greater part of this area includes purchased estates, but in addition adjoining areas of Crown lands have in some cases been added to ensure the better subdivision and settlement of the land, so that the area proclaimed is always larger than the area purchased. As a matter of fact, nearly all the land that has lately been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act is utilized for the settlement of discharged soldiers, and at the present time it is only in rare cases that it is available for settlement by the general public. 16. Exception has from time to time been taken in various quarters to the classes of land set apart under the Act, and it has been suggested by some that only improved land should be allotted, so that the soldiers could obtain, returns therefrom immediately after selection, whilst others contend that unimproved land should be allotted to them so that they might reap the fullest benefit from their labour in improving and reading the lands. Seeing what diversity of opinion there is on the subject both by farmers, theorists, business people, societies, and the soldiers themselves, the Government deemed it best at the very commencement of the scheme to provide land suitable for the requirements of all soldiers—that is to say, individual preference was in each case taken into account, and the wishes of the settler have been met as far as possible. For instance, the Government has provided suburban land suitable for market-gardening and poultry-farms; small areas of rural land adapted for bee-keeping; small farms suitable for dairying and fruitgrowing, &c.; larger holdings suitable for mixed farming; and pastoral country for grazing only. Large areas of land have been opened for settlement so that they may

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be available to meet the demands as they arise, but in order to prevent the lands from deteriorating through being unoccupied until selection, they are in many eases let for grazing purposes to the general public on tenancies terminable at short notice. 17. In view of the necessity for producing as much wheat as possible, arrangements are being made to devote to this purpose some land set apart for discharged soldiers that has not been selected and is not required for disposal at present. Sections in the Seaforth, Crioklewood, and Leeston Settlements, Canterbury District, are being thus dealt with under the supervision of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and in the latter case some of the local farmers have given teams and labour free of cost. The cost of seed and such additional labour as may be required will be borne by the Department. 18. In the Canterbury and Otago Districts the licenses of large areas of pastoral runs terminate in .1918, and with the concurrence of the Land Boards arrangements have been made that the runs which have been classified for subdivision, and which in ordinary course would have been submitted for competition early in next year, shall be retained on temporary occupation by the present holders and not. re-leased until 1919, and not even then unless the war is over and the main body of the soldiers have returned. 19. In order to render lands available for utilization from the date of selection, authority has in some cases been given to the Commissioner of Crown Lands to sow in grass burnt bush areas of Crown land, so that when they are placed on the market and taken up the soldier selector can at once obtain some return from his holding. The amount of advance that may be made to 1 lie settler for buildings, stock, etc., is not affected by this expenditure, as the cost of grassing is added to the capital value of the land, and rent is based upon the improved value. 20. It depends chiefly on the applicant's wishes, capabilities, and farming experience as to what class of land should be allotted to him, and the Land Boards who attend to this matter in every ease study the applicant's qualifications and endeavour to provide him with land that he can utilize to the best advantage. Many soldiers, young and physically fit, who have had past experience in farming, prefer to take up bush land, as they wish to do as much of their own improvements as possible, and to be employed on the roadmaking necessary to open up the block. Others who have come from dairying districts desire, to be placed on a dairying farm so that they can make good milk cheques from tin 1 beginning, whilst a large number who have been accustomed to the management of sheep will accept only sheep-country j and so it will lie seen that no hard-and-fast rule can be laid down as to the class of country that should be set aside for the settlement of the soldiers, but that individual capabilities and preferences must be recognized as the chief factors in the situation coupled with the supply of land at the disposal of the Government. Classes of Applicants. 21. There is one phase of the question to which I desire to draw attention. Returned soldiers comprise all classes of the community: some have wide experience as fanners, others have little or none; some have a fair amount of capital, others have a small amount, whilst others again are without any capital. It sometimes happens that a soldier with a fair amount of capital and with experience of farming is desirous of taking up a large pastoral run, and is in a. position to make good use of it. At the same time another soldier without capital and with little experience of farming desires to apply for similar land, and unless the Government is prepared to largely increase the present limit of £500 for advances, which for many reasons would not be advisable, or the soldier obtains outside capital, it is impossible for him to work the land profitably. Among the soldiers absent from New Zealand, however, there are many men with sufficient .capital who will be prepared and desirous of taking up laud in large areas. There are plenty of allotments available for those soldiers without capital for the working of which th.c advance of £500 is sufficient Every care must therefore be taken to ensure thai a man is only allotted land that he is able to win k to advantage with the farming experience he possesses. the capital at his command, ami the advances made by the Government. To deal with such cases in a fitting manner is one of the principal duties devolving on the Land Boards, and it is here that the local knowledge, wide experience, and sympathetic views of the members of the Boards are most valuable. Outside Assistance to Settlers. 22. As an instance of help being afforded soldier settlers by patriotic societies and the public, it .may be mentioned I hat (he War Relief Association at Napier at its meeting on the 4th June, 1917, decided to advance sums up to £250 at 1 per cent, for five years to successful applicants on the Porangahau Block, offered for selection on the Bth June. Such sums as arc thus advanced will not be made available until the £500 advanced by the Government is exhausted, and each case will be dealt with on its merits. 23. Assistance by private individuals has also been given in several cases, one of the most prominent, being that of Mr. G. I. Donnelly, of Otatara, near Napier, who provided a large portion of the posts and wire for fencing required by the soldiers on the Kaiwaka Settlement (I'urahotangihia Block), north of Napier, together with horses, pack-saddles, and 9,460 sheep, at a total stated cost of £12,600. Of this amount £7,000 will be lent to fifteen settlers for five years free of interest, and Mr. Donnelly has by deed of trust arranged that the money, when repaid, will be available for placing future returned soldiers on the land. Other Hawke's Baysettlers have agreed to contribute towards the fund, and at the end of ten years it is anticipated I hat £10,000 will be available, and will be handed over for administration by the V.M.C.A. and Salvation Army for the benefit of parents, widows, and families of Hawke's Bay soldiers.

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24. When land in the Lees Valley was opened for selection the Canterbury Patriotic Fund granted £200 in several cases as an addition to the Government advance of £500 so as to assist the soldiers in making a financial success of their holdings, whilst the North Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association ami several Oxford residents and Canterbury runholders gave generous assistance. In both this ami the preceding case the land taken up was hilly pastoral country in large areas, and although it is very suitable for settlement a fair amount of capital is required to work tic land to advantage. It is understood that several other patriotic societies and individuals have likewise assisted in a, similar manner, though particulars are not available. 25. In the Mangapaoro and Matakaoa districts (Poverty Bay) an area of 3,850 acres, valued at £40,000, has been constituted "The Waiapu Returned Soldiers 'trust Estate," the trustees being Messrs. Thomas Sydney Williams (Tuparoa), Eeathcote Beethain Williams (Gisborne), Arnold Beethain Williams (Waipiro Bay), and Kenneth Stuart Williams ('tuparoa), who have sole discretion in tin' matters of subdivision anil choice of settlers. The returned soldiers must have been bona-f.de residents of the Waiapu County before enlistment. On the security of the land, money for slock ami implements for the settlers has been borrowed from the Bank of NewZealand, the interest and principal having to be repaid. The net profits of the estate are for the relief and benefit of needy returned soldiers of the Waiapu County, for the relief of dependants of killed soldiers and sailors, and also for assistance to war relief societies ami associations generally. The action of the Messrs Williams in donating this hind and establishing a practical scheme of settlement is another example of generosity displayed by this well-known family. The land will not be allotted to the soldiers until the return of the Main Body, but is being worked for their benefit by the trustees in the meantime. Lands SELECTED. 26. During the year ended 31st March, 1916, when the Act had been only a short time in operation, only two allotments had been selected, aggregating 629 acres. During the past, year, however, applications were fairly numerous, over four hundred soldiers having applied for specific sections, and of these 319 were provided with 143.524 acres of land; 180 settlers being placed upon Crown land and I'll settlers upon laud acquired under the Land for Settlements Act. The greater part of the settlers look up the land under the special lease conditions provided bisection 4 of the 1915 Act and the regulations framed thereunder, which appear to meet the requirements of the soldier settlers in a very satisfactory manner. The Wellington District was the most favoured, as 124 soldiers selected land here, and the next in favour was the Auckland District, with seventy-two selections, whilst Hawke's Bay, with fifty-seven, was a good third; and it would appear that in the majority of cases soldiers prefer to settle in the North Island, as several settlements of good land in the South have failed to find applicants. 27. The Land Boards, both when examining the applicants as to their capabilities ami requirements and when allotting land, have endeavoured to place them on holdings suited to their needs, ami where necessary have recommended exemptions from rent for any necessary period or recommended postponement if such would meet the ease, and in every way have assisted the settlers in entering into possession under most favourable conditions. The co-opera-tion of the Agricultural Department has been availed of, ami advice has been rendered by its experts regarding the best cultivation of the land to any soldier settler who may desire it. The Crown Lands Bangers have periodically visited the settlers and also rendered assistance, with the result in the majority of cases that the settlers have already done very well. 28. An instance of the patriotism displayed by one of (he discharged soldiers coming under notice during the year was furnished by Mr. Leonard Ashworth. who was a member of the Second Reinforcements, being attached to the Wellington Mounted Hides, and served for nearly two years. After having been severely wounded in the head, in August, 1915, he was invalided to England, and finally conveyed back to New Zealand and discharged from service with the Expeditionary Force. Having sufficiently recovered from his wounds, he applied for land under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act of 1915, and was allotted a section of 116 acres at Takapan, Hawke's Bay, in June, 1916. He was grained advances under the Act to enable him to improve and stock the land, whilst a mercantile firm also gave him further advances. Since going on to the land Mr. Ashworth worked well, fenced and subdivided the land, and having had a good lambing, his profits enabled him to discharge outside liabilities and the Crown's interest and rent, and further stock the section, whilst he also built a four-roomed cottage. As. however, Mr. Ashworth's short stay on the land restored his health, he re-enlisted in the Expeditionary Force, and was accepted for a further term of service. Stocking ok Farms. 29. The various Commissioners of Crown Lands render all possible assistance to the soldier settlers in the matter of procuring stock, and. if so desired make the necessary purchases on their behalf. The soldiers are not debarred from arranging their own purchases, subject, of course, to the supervision necessary to ensure that the stock represent reasonable value by way of security for the money advanced for the purchase. As many of the men who are acquiring sections have had a very limited experience in farming, their judgment of the value id' the different classes of stock is not such as to qualify them to bid directly at auction, and they are therefore encouraged to arrange their purchases privately. The advice of a Crown Lands Ranger or Inspector of Stock is always available to assist in the negotiations for purchase of suitable stock at reasonable prices. 30. The Crown Lands Rangers are instructed to ascertain the requirements of the different settlers as soon as they select their lands, and to get into touch with the local branches of the patriotic societies, from whom valuable information, gained by the practical experience and local

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knowledge of members, is obtainable. The ready co-operation of the various patriotic societies in this respect has been very fully appreciated both by the Department and the discharged soldiers in whose interests they have acted. On account of the present abnormal condition of the markets, settlers are encouraged to deal cautiously in the matter of stock, and to restrict their purchases as far as possible. The purchase of expensive implements for individual use has been discouraged, and settlers have been advised to combine and obtain implements for their common use. This arrangement has so far been found to give satisfaction. Land for Maori Soldiers. 31. It may not be generally known that Maori members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force have the same privileges in selecting land under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act as European members, and in one or two instances have taken advantage thereof. Moreover, the Native owners of 40,000 acres of land in the Owhaoko Block, south of Taupo, have signified their desire to set it apart for settlement by Maori soldiers, and their wishes are now under consideration by the Aotea Maori Land Board and the Government with a view to giving effect thereto. Special legislation may, however, be necessary to accomplish this. PART II.—FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Advances. 32. During the year the sum of £36,000 was raised under the provisions of section 8 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, for the purpose of making advances, <fee, to discharged soldiers. Out of this sum £2,155 4s. Id. was spent in the purchase of fencing-wire, staples, &c, of which £465 10s. represents direct sales; £1,438 16s. 2d. has been debited to the settlers at cost against advances authorized, leaving £250 17s. lid. worth of wire, &c, on hand in the Wellington District as at the 31st March last. The statement of accounts appended to the report shows that out of £30,956 4s. Id. advanced on mortgage (including £640 10s. Id. not charged up in Treasury at the 31st March), £1,199 4s. 9<l. has been repaid, of which a considerable portion has been received through the dairy factories, the discharged-soldier settlers having given orders on the factories to pay the Department 12-| per cent, of their milk proceeds. 33. Advances amounting to £62,420 13s. 2d. were authorized to 199 soldiers, against which advances amounting to £30,956 4s. Id., as stated above, have been made to 143 soldiers. Advances are made when actually earned, either in the purchase of stock, the erection of dwellinghouses, or general improvements to the land. As soon as a request for payment of an advance comes to hand the Commissioner of Crown Lands instructs the Ranger to inspect the stock purchased, or proposed to bo purchased, and the improvements effected, and should the report of this officer be satisfactory steps are then taken to settle accounts direct with the vendors or contractors where necessary, or to the soldiers where the improvements have been effected by them. The balance of the authorities not earned at the 31st March is held available, and the advances authorized will Be paid upon the conditions relating to payment of advances being complied with. 34. When the first advance is made a mortgage is given which covers all subsequent advances, and bills of sale as collateral security are executed in the case of advances for stock, chattels, &c. Advances in respect of these transactions are very varied, and cover almost all articles required in connection with farming operations, ranging from tools, milk-cans, &0., to horses, cattle, and sheep, seed-oats, potatoes, &o. Some delay has been experienced in settling accounts through the Treasury, but this has now been remedied by arrangements made with the Treasury to have accounts paid by the Commissioner of Crown Lands immediately upon receipt of invoices, <fee. 35. The restrictions placed upon lands for disposal to the general public enabled the staff of the District Offices to devote attention to the settlement of lands by discharged soldiers, and to make arrangements for financial assistance without extra staff being required. As the Department did not incur any additional expense by way of administration, it was considered inadvisable to debit the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account with the value of the time of those officers who were employed in giving effect to applications for financial assistance. 36. The Revenue Account shows a book loss of £135 7s. 5d., which has arisen through moneys being raised in anticipation of calls earlier than actually required, the result being that more interest is payable than would otherwise have been the case. In (he meantime this small loss has been transferred to Suspense Account in anticipation of its being cleared off next year. Experience in Improved-farm Settlements. 37. In view of the financial assistance now rendered to discharged soldiers for the purpose of stocking and improving their lands, it is interesting to note that in 1912 the Government authorized the Department to arrange for the purchase of cattle for those improved-farm settlers in the Auckland, Taranaki, and Wellington Districts who were not in a position to stock their lands, and from then until the 31st March last the sum of £10,082 6s. was advanced for this purpose, the only security being bills of sale over the stock. Of this sum £8,384 Is. 9d. has been repaid, leaving a balance of £1,698 4s. 3d. outstanding at the end of last financial year. The settlers have considerably benefited by the assistance, and have generally fulfilled their obligations, and it is anticipated that the whole of the amount now outstanding will be repaid by the 31st March next.

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The following is a statement- of the financial transactions referred to :— Advances Account. Advances. Repayments. Balance. £ s. d. £' s. d. £ s. d. Auckland, 1913-17 ... ... ... 1,576 15 2 1,323 13 11 253 1 3 Taranaki, 1912-17 ... ... ... 6,511 0 0 5,345 9 4 1,165 10 8 Wellington, 1913-17 ... ... ... 1,994 10 10 1,714 18 6 279 12 4 Totals ... ... ... £10,082 6 0 £8,384 1 9 £1,698 4 3 Revenue Account. Interest allowed at 4 per cent, on £ s. d. Interest charged to settlers at 5 £ s. "d. money advanced, out of Con- percent. .. .. .. 1,358 14 4 solidated Fund .. .. 1,156 12 6 Approximate cost of administration .. . . .. 1.50 0 0 Balance .. .. .. 52 I 1.0 £1,358 14 4 £1,358 14 4 Interest in. arrear at the 31st March, 1917, £101 15s. sd. Other Financial Concessions. Postponements and Remissions of Rent. 38. Besides advancing money to settlers to Improve and stock their holdings, the Act permits of concessions being granted with regard to the half-yearly payment of rent. Where the settler is in a fairly good financial position at the outset and only needs temporary relief a postponement of rent will probably meet the case, but where circumstances warrant it and the settler is unable to work his holding profitably for some little time he may be exempted from payment of rent for a limited period. Each case is treated on its merits and receives such concession as is reasonable and justified. 39. Postponements of rent were granted during the year to forty-nine discharged soldiers, the amount being £1,679. These were to enable the settlers to establish themselves satisfactorily on the holdings allotted to them, and relieve the financial strain in the early stages of settlement. 40. Remissions of rent that fell due up to the 31st March, 1917, were granted to eleven discharged soldiers, the amount remitted being £353. It is, however, anticipated that an amount of approximately £1,600 will be required to meet cases during the current year, and provision is accordingly being made on the estimates to cover such remissions. PART'IIT.—CONCESSIONS TO MEMBERS OE THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. , 41. In addition to the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Acts of 1915 and 1916, which deal with soldiers discharged from service, legislation has been passed conferring privileges on members of the Expeditionary Forces who are either Crown tenants or desirous of acquiring lands administered by the Crown. By sections 23 and 24 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1915, and Part II of the War Legislation Amendment Act, 1916, — (a.) The Minister is empowered to grant exemption from rent to Crown tenants during their term of service and until six months after discharge. (b.) The Minister is empowered to grant remission or postpone date of payment of interest falling due on account of balance of purchase-money due under licenses to acquire land on deferred payment from the Crown, and to postpone the due dates of instalments of principal, and extend the terms of such licenses for a period not exceeding three years. Applications under both of these provisions are considered by the Land Board, which recommends what concession should be granted in each case, and the Minister then decides. The amount actually remitted up to the 31st March, 1917, was £8,092, whilst sixty were granted postponements of rental aggregating £3,183 during the 3^ear. (c.) Members of an Expeditionary Force to receive preference at ballots. Section 11 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1912, amended by section 34 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1913, provides that preference at all ballots shall be given to married applicants who have children dependent upon them, and now soldier applicants, though unmarried, are entitled to an equal preference with these married applicants. (d.) Applications for land may be lodged by an agent. When application is made for Crown land, a declaration by the applicant as to his eligibility has to accompany the application. The applicant has also to appear personally before the Land Board for examination. The special provisions enact that on production of evidence in writing of appointment, or, failing this, by his own declaration that he has been so appointed, an agent may represent any soldier in these matters. («.) Age-limit of applicants for settlement land reduced. Section 51 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1908, provides that no person under the age of twenty-one years may be an applicant for land, but section 12 of the War Legislation Amendment Act, 1916, states that this provision shall not apply in cases where the applicant has been engaged on military service beyond New Zealand in connection with the present war. Besides these concessions the Land Boards have relaxed the improvement and residential conditions of the leases of tenants on active service, and. in every way give special consideration to their needs whilst absent from their holdings.

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APPENDIX. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. Auckland. (H. M. Stceet, Commissioner, of Crown Lands.) During the year an area of 14,832 acres was opened for selection by discharged soldiers only, in addition to the preference given at ordinary ballots to such selectors. The number of provisional applications for land received up to the close of the year was 450, but the actual number of applications received for lands opened was only 134, and the number of,holdings selected was seventy-two, comprising an area of 10,882 acres. From the time of selection the office has kept in close touch with the selectors, attending to their requirements in regard to advances, purchasing and inspecting stock, obtaining necessary mortgages and bills of sale, and making payments for stock and materials purchased, all of which we have endeavoured to arrange with the least possible delay in the interests of tenants. The total amount of advances authorized up to the end of the year was £24,488, and the amount actually paid was £6,902. It is, of course, scarcely necessary to remark' that in order to enable the work to proceed smoothly and with a minimum of delay and inconvenience to the tenants it is essential that there should be the utmost possible elasticity, and no more formality than is absolutely necessary to protect the interests of the State. It is satisfactory to record that nearly all the tenants have already made excellent progress on their holdings, and I hey are displaying an energy and enthusiasm that augurs well for their future success. On the 31st March. 1917, there were twenty-eight sections, containing 7,780 acres, still available for selection. Hawke's Bay. (W. F. Marsh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) It is now almost a twelvemonth since the first ballot under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, took place, and the experience so far gained has been varied and profitable. Of the two, large blocks—viz., Otawhao and Purahotangihia—already settled, the former is adapted wholly for dairying, and the latter almost exclusively for sheep-farming; in each case good progress has been made, and the most inspiriting sign is the general, satisfaction expressed by the settlers. The blocks known as Watea and Marakeke to be opened ver_y shortly present a different problem, as they will require the close attention of men willing and able to devote all their energies to successful mixed farming under closer cultivation. Surveys are partly complete, or near completion, of lands aggregating about 45,500 acres suitable only for sheep-farming, and which will be ready for offering at the opportune season ; and it is such class of land which appeals most to the settler in Hawke's Bay. It is a matter of regret, that the Tiratu Block of 5,730 acres, near Dannevirke, although subdivided, could not be put on the market this season —due to the absolute necessity of providing proper road access for the small-holders for whom the block was intended. In the meantime, however, it is well let. The examination and selection of applicants under the Act have caused the Land Board much thought, and very careful consideration has been given in all cases. Generally speaking, applicants are of three classes—those who know the game and are prepared to see it through; those who have not the experience but are determined to seize the opportunity offered them, quite realizing that they may have to suffer hardships; and finally those who have no experience, not much determination, and the belief that the land is a loving stepmother to all her children. The first will go straight ahead, the second will require nursing for some time, and the third will gradually drop out and make room for others. It may be mentioned that the firs! year of a soldier settler's term entails a lot of departmental office-work. With the ordinary settler this is almost negligible, but the soldier settler's primary needs make almost a personal equation, and those members of my staff who have been most in contact with the duties have not spared themselves in the endeavour to extend every assistance to the selector. Taranaki . ((}. IT. But.lari), Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There has not been very much inquiry on the part of returned soldiers for holdings in this district, and little competition resulted for the sections that were made available for settlement. This may be due largely to the fact that the sections offered have been mostly bush country, more or less remote, and suited only for men physically fit and possessing experience at bushwork. A total area of 8,340 acres, comprising thirteen sections, has been made available to date. Other discharged soldiers have acquired Crown leases by transfer, or were possessed of such before going on active service, and both classes are now by the amending Act of 1916 entitled to the benefits of the advance up to £500 for improvements provided for in the original Act of 1915. The total number of discharged soldiers holding land in the district is thirteen, aggregating 1,381 acres.

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Wellington. (G. H. M. McClure, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) At the 31st March, 1916, seven sections had been allotted, containing an area of 2,839 acres; and at the close of the corresponding period this year 131 soldiers had been allotted a total area of 36,223 acres. A. proportion of this area was bush land, comprising 23,684 acres, on which sixty applicants had been accommodated with a section. In two instances two soldiers have taken up a large area as tenants in common. On almost every selection bush has been felled, and the subsequent improvements in the way of fencing and buildings are proceeding. In the more remote district abutting on the upper reaches of the Wanganui River below Taumarunui the settlers will be able to obtain any quantity of employment, as forty-one miles of road-formation are necessary, involving an expenditure of £30,000. On open lands seventy-one soldiers have taken up 12,539 acres and 36 perches, and about one-third of them have had good results either from the milk or wool returns. More than half of these settlers will be dairying next season, and of them it may be said that few have any capital to speak of, and what they did have was necessary to keep them going until they could obtain a return from their holdings. Taken as a whole the average class of settler that has taken up these sections is good, and suited to the class of country selected, and if they will only realize that they must work and apply their energies with diligence to the improvement of their holdings and their herds there is no reason to doubt the success of the settlements that have been brought into existence under the generous provisions of the statute. Under these provisions an area of about 2,300 acres of bush has been felled and grass-seed provided by advances under the Act, twenty-five dwellings erected, and 550 head of stock, mostly dairy cows, have been purchased. A brief resume of the methods of settling the returned soldiers on the land may be interesting. After finding out what land is available and selecting a section, the soldier is examined by the Land Board as to his experience in farming pursuits, his means, and his character, his discharge usually supplying the latter. Under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act all the qualifications for obtaining land are— (a.) Has been a member of the New Zealand Naval Forces or of any Expeditionary Force; (b.) Has served beyond New Zealand in connection with the present war; (c.) Has returned to New Zealand ; and (d.) Has received his discharge from service, either before or after his return to New Zealand. These make it practically impossible for the Land Board to debar soldiers without previous farming experience from selecting lands. This is, in one sense, as it should be, and no doubt many of the soldiers without experience will make successful settlers, but it increases the work, and the responsibilities of the Lands Department enormously. The whole scheme is yet on its trial, but from the experience already gained I consider that, as most of the soldiers are without capital, there are only two classes of land that they can be settled on with a fair chance of success— those are forest-covered Crown land of good quality where experience and a stout heart is the main adjunct, and first-class fully improved dairy land, where, with the £500 advanced by the Government, and a farm of, say, 50 acres, any soldier who puts his best into his operations ought to succeed. The best and in my opinion the only time for putting soldiers on dairy farms is during the months of May, June, and July, for by so doing they are enabled to get a return out of their farm by, say, September; on the other hand, if they are put on during the other months of the year, owing to the difficulty and cost of procuring good cows, they are unable to get a return from the land, and consequently are unable to meet their payments of rent, &c. If this principle was adopted, soldiers with no experience in farming pursuits, and who proposed taking up land, could obtain employment on farms, and by the time sections were available would be in a position to judge whether they would prove a success or not. Owing mostly to the lack of experience, and in some cases, unfortunately, the desire to do no work, the starting of Hie soldier on his farm is a strenuous operation. To commence with, the farm has to be fenced, buildings erected, and stock bought, and the whole of these operations have to be, in most cases, supervised by the officers of the Lands Department. Soldier settlers should always bear in mind that farms are not made in a day, and they should do their best to make the farm earn interest in the shortest possible time. This requires the soldier to devote the whole of his time and brains to the development of his farm. He should never forget that labour is capital, and that a day wasted is gone for ever. Fencing, cultivation, and grassing are much more important in the initial stages than elaborate houses. Good stock is essential, and men without much capital must exercise caution in their methods. Tt is not advisable, nor should it be allowed, for soldiers without experience to buy their stock; they should be guided by the advice of practical farmers, and in nearly every district the members of the patriotic societies are only too pleased to assis+ the returned soldiers not alone with advice, but with both labour and capital. Marlborough. (H. D. MoKeILAR, Deputy Commissioner of Crown Lands.) An area of 7.974 acres was opened, comprising twenty-seven sections, ranging from 7 acres to 759 acres; twelve of these are small areas, part of the Wither Settlement, close to Blenheim, suitable for fruitgrowing and poultry-farming; but so far only two have been taken up. Two

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of the others, situated in the Ronga Valley, suitable for dairy-farming, have also been taken up, and five sections in the Erina Settlement have also been selected. Apparently there does not seem to be much demand for land in this district by discharged soldiers, as, although there have been a number of inquiries, they have gone no further in the matter. Nelson. (F. A. Thompson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the year eleven applications were received from returned soldiers, two of whom were allotted land under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, and the greatest care was taken to see that they satisfied themselves by personal inspection as to the suitability of the land selected. In addition, three soldiers acquired 10,500 acres under the Land. Act, and another took over a Crown tenant's holding. It must be borne in mind that many of the invalided men are as yet hardly fit to undertake the strenuous work of taking up new land, and at the same time the land available for all but the strongest is indeed limited in extent. It may be possible in the near future to acquire further land suitable for subdivision into pastoral as well as fruit farms, and the Land Purchase Board has this under consideration. In addition to current applications now disposed of in individual areas, an area of some 24,000 acres comprised in the Rainy River and Slips Blocks is being prepared for offering. Westland. (Thomas Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No land has yet been disposed of to discharged soldiers, but areas aggregating 6,505 acres have been set apart for the purpose, and will be available for selection during the coming year. The Bell Hill Block, adjacent to the Greymouth-Otira Railway, forms the greatest part of this area, and grass-seed is now being sown on portions of it which were burnt during the summer, Canterbury. (W. H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Four estates, partly acquired and partly Crown lands, have been submitted for selection by discharged soldiers : eight sections in Cricklewood, near Fairlie, areas ranging from 145 acres to 391 acres of agricultural land, two of which have so far been selected; nine sections in the Seaforth Settlement, near Temuka, the areas ranging from 14 acres to 105 acres, not yet disposed of; two were taken up but subsequently relinquished. 82 acres of wheat and 50 acres of oats which were on the land when purchased were harvested. The wheat averaged 48 bushels and the oats about 56 bushels to the acre. Clayton, near Fairlie, subdivided into five sections of sheep-country with areas from 800 acres to 3,580 acres, and having an altitude 1,400 ft. to 1,700 ft., was all selected. Lees Valley, Upper Ashley district: eight sections were offered and seven taken up, all small sheep-runs, with an altitude from 1,400 ft. to 3,000 ft., and areas from 2,500 acres to 3,900 acres. Two small sections, one at Hornby of 3 acres and another at Drayton of 10 acres, have not yet found a selector. So far the selections already made indicate a choice for sheep-farming, and that small agricultural and dairy farms are not in. favour. Still, it is too early to arrive at a decision as to the advisability of recommending any particular class of land. Otago. (Robert T. Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) So far there has been a very limited demand for land by discharged soldiers, and in most cases their capital is also very limited. Out of the fifteen sections set apart on the Benmore Runs there are still four unsclected. Two runs at Tarras were also selected by discharged soldiers. On Clifton Settlement only three sections were allotted out of twenty-two. There have been a few inquiries for small areas on Earnscleugh and Galloway Flats, but owing to water for irrigation not being available these lands cannot at present be worked to advantage. The lands allotted to discharged soldiers have not been held long enough to judge of the prospects of the settlers. The high prices ruling for stock, and the enormous increase in the price of fencing-material, is a great draw-back to the settlement of the land. Southland. (H. D. M. H.AszAun, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) During the year thirteen discharged soldiers have been settled on the land. All are working hard on their holdings and are shaping well. With the financial assistance rendered by the Government they should eventually become prosperous tenants. Lament Settlement was purchased and subdivided into five sections, four of which have been selected. The other nine are on worked-out bush lands of good quality. All settlers are of a good class. Another estate has been purchased, and will be opened during the coming year. It consists of first-class dairying land, and will be subdivided into suitable holdings.

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TABLE 1. Area of Land proclaimed for Settlement under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915.

District. For the Year ended 81st March, 1917. Under Sectic-J (Ordinary 3 of the Act. Tenures.) Total to 31st March, 1017. [ Under Section 4 of the Act. (Special Tenures.) For the ,., t , ,„ Year ended si a tM»rrti 31st March, March, 1917. ' '■"■'■ Total Area proclaimed. F " r t,1B Tfitnl to Year ended ',°™'™, 31st March, ■ 81st March, 1917. 1B17 ' Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .Southland Acres. 6,825 4,561 8,340 884 8,588 Acres. 6,825 4.561 8,340 884 8,588 5,582 13,840 Acres. 6,825 4.561 8,340 884 8,588 Acres Acres. 32,339 32,780 780 • 58,798 49,934 50,040 3,725 3.780 484 484 149 ! 49 253 253 23,233 23,233 308 1,696 Aores. Acres. 39,164 39,605 5,341 (13,359 8,340 8,340 50,818 50,924 12,313 12,374 484 484 5,731 5,731 253 253 37,073 37,073 308 1,696 5,582 5,582 13,840 13,840 Totals 48,620 48,620 111,205 171,219 159,825 219,839 Cheviot Estate, Canterbury .. 2,097 2,097 1,356 1,356 3,453 3,453 Land Jor Settlements — Aliokland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 707 707 4,125 1,574 16,829 6,968 4,481 1,712 17,427 7,490 4,125 1,574 17,536 6,968 4,481 1,712 18,134 7^490 43,406 5,148 745 43,406 5,148 745 565 86 608 86 43,971 5,234 745 44,014 5,234 745 Totals 50,006 50,000 30,147 31,804 80,153 81,810 National Endowment — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 2,856 2,856 2,856 2" 856 775 14,770 14,275 183 775 14,770 14,275 183 775 14,770 14,275 183 775 14,770 14,275 183 Totals .. 32,859 32,859 32,859 32,859 Qrand totals 133,582 142,708 204,379 276,290 337,961 133,582

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TABLE 2. Applications received and Land allotted during the Year ended 31st March, 1917, under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915.

Xumber of Applications received during the Year. | Lands allotted during the Year. Under Section 3 of Act (Ordinary Tenures). Under Section 4 of Act (Special Tenures). Totals. District. . Under : Under Section 3 ! Section 4 of Act of Act (Ordinary; (Special Tenures). ; Tenures). Sale (including Deferred Payment), j Lease and License. Total. Sale (including Deferred Payment). I/ease and License. Total. Sale (including 'eferred Payment). j Lease and License. Total. Total. Number Number Number of Allot- j Area, of Allot- Area. , of Allotments. L ments. ments. Number Area. of Allotments. Number Number Area, of Allot- Area, of Allotments, ments. Area. Number' Number Number of Allot- 1 Area, of Allot- Area, of Allotments, ments. ments. Area. Ordinary Crown Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago .. .. Southland .. Acres. Acres. Acres. 362 16 12 j Acres. 29 6,570 54 17,658 61 22,905 1 865 2 485 ; 30 55 63 1 2 Acres. 6,932 17,674 22,917 865 485 17,707 1,223 Acres. 1 362 1 16 2 12 Acres. 29 6,570 54 17,658 4 1,976 62 23.589 2 1,912 2 485 14 17.707 9 1,223 ; Acres. 30 6,932 55 17,674 4 1,976 64 23,601 2 1,912 2 485 14 j 17,707 9 j 1,223 Acres. 44 103 44 103 12 67 10 4 1 .. 1 1 •• "l2 l ; 2 66 8 4 1 4 : 1,976 1 ! 684 1 ! 1,047 4 1 1 1.976 684 1.047 2 i .. 16 10 16 10 .. :: 14 17,707 j 9 1.223 14 9 ■• ! ■ • Totals 15 252 ! ; ! 267 390 176 71,120 „_ ..„ 180 ! 71,511 6 3.707 3,707 390 j 170 67,413 174 67.803 .1. Settlement Lands — Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 89 3 105 89 3 105 8 I 13 745 5 2,171 15 35,813 2 502 13 5 745 "' .. 2,171 28 2 60 2,952 104 10,467 18 28 2 60 2,952 | 104 I 10.467 41 3,697 2 104 60 10,467 41 | 3,697 2 I 104 60 10,467 5 3 2 i 2 18 7 2,189 | 7 2,189 "26 4 26 4 5 15 2 35,813 502 4 i 15 35,813 : 2 502 4 588 U ' 35,813 2 | 502 4 588 5 .. 588 4 588 I Totals .. 35 205 240 35 39,231 35 139,231 90 14,129 96 14,129 ! 131 53.360 131 53,360 National-endowment Lands Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 1 5 1 5 I 1 [ 253 3 \ 1,144 1 3 253 1,144 • 1 253 1,144 1 253 3 1,144 . •• 6 3 6 ! 3 i 2 6.967 2 10,290 2 2 6,967 10,290 2 2 6,967 10,290 "2 i 6,967 2 j 10,290 _l_ Totals 15 ! 15 18,654 18,654 18,654 18,654 Cheviot Estate — Canterbury i • I .. Grand totals 65 457 522 49 61,592 49 161,592 4 ! 390 266 ,81,542 270 81,932 | 4 ; 390 315 143,134 319 143,524 I 1 I

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TABLE 3. Total Lands acquired by Discharged Soldiers and held at the 31st March, 1917.

Sale (including Deferred Payment). Land District. Number. Area. Price. Lease and License. Totals. .* Number. | Area. Annual Rental. Number, i Area. Under the Discharged Sa Under the Disc ■Idiers Sell llement Act, '915. Acres. £ Auckland .. .. 1 362 440 Hawke's Bay .. 1 16 240 Taranaki Wellington .. 2 12 191 Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 1 1 Acres. 362 16 69 53 6 129 2 9 Acres. 10,368 16,835 2,630 36,221 1,912 2,673 £ 3,174 6,088 211 11,329 96 639 70 54 6 131 2 9 17 18 13 Acres, 10,730 16,851 2,630 36,233 1,912 2,673 421780 28,499 1.811 2 12 17 18 13 42,780 28,499 1,811. 4,138 1,172 529 Totals .. 4 390 871 316 I 143,729 27,376 I 320 144,119 Under other Acts. (This includes lands selected at auction, and holdings ai at ordim mired by iry ballots, U transfer or i 2,342 3,970 633 3,028 10,542 1,236 •uses and lu therwise.) ;enses purchased Auckland Hawke's Bay . . .. ... Taranaki .'. .. 1 1 12 Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland .. * .. Canterbury Otago Southland 7 3 2 4 2 1 197 443 76 289 47 49 278 1 2,342 3 3,970 3 634 4 3,028 2 10,542 1 1,236 4 655 4 655 i Totals ..1 1 12 12 23 22,406 1,379 24 22,407 Grand totals .. 5 391 883 391 883 339 166,135 28,755 344 166,526 Lauds selected by Members ioted by Members of the Expeditionary Force. Forty members of the Expeditionary Force total rental of which is £4,112 per annum. :peditionary Force have by their agents selected 142,566 acres, the per annum.

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DISCHARGED SOLDIERS SETTLEMENT ACCOUNT. Statement of Receipts and Payments.

Debentures Proceeds from sale of fencing-wire, &c. Repayment of advances Interest Receipts. £ s. d. Payments. .. 36,000 0 0 Purchase of fencing-wire, &c., includingjfreight, &c. 465 10 0 Less transfers to advances 1,199 4 9 213 17 7 Advances, including transfer of value of fencing-material, etc. Printing debentures Balance in Public Account Cash in hands of imprestees.. .. £ s. d. £ s. d. 2,155 4 1 1,438 16 2 716 7 11 30.315 14 0 0 17 6 6,824 2 11 21 10 0 6,845 12 11 £37,878 12 4 £37,878 12 4 Statement op Mortgage Account Transactions. Ad District. Ni District. ! Advances ai ber Ivances iumbei 38 authorized a ber of Soldiers. •i. Amo ithorized and Num)f Soldiers. and Numount. Advances made and Number of Soldiers. Accrued Interest to 31st March. Total. Advances repaid. Interest paid. 1917. Number. Amount. Ti^ q] Outstanding at rotai. 31st Marchi 1917 Number. 1917. Amount. Number. Amount. Auckland Taranaki Hawke's Bay Wellington Marlborough Otago Southland 60 3 36 78 3 7 12 £ s. d. 24.488 0 0 940 0 0 14.103 13 2 17,774 0 0 530 0 0 1.835 0 0 2,750 0 0 30 2 34 63 ■1 3 9 £ s. d. 6,902 7 4 330 0 0 10,582 1 8 11,493 8 6 135 10 0 365 0 0 1,147 16 7 £ s. d. 135 14 7 2 2 2 279 4 6 206 10 6 1 19 3 6 2 10 10 13 7 | £ s. d. 7.038 1 11 332 2 2 10,861 6 2 11,699 19 0 137 9 3 371 2 10 1,158 10 2 £ s. d. 207 16 5 400 0 4 591 8 0 1.199 4 9 29,756 19 4 £ s. d. £ s. d. 14 3 0 221 19 5 0 5 0 0 5 0 145 17 1 545 17 5 53 3 8 644 11 8 0 8 10 0 8 10 213 17 7 1,413 2 4 428 9 10 30,185 9 2 £ s. d. 6.816 2 6 331 17 2 10,315 8 9 11,055 7 4 137 9 3 371 2 10 1,158 1 4 30,185 9 2 Balances outstanding 199 62,420 13 2 143 30,956 4 1* 642 7 5 31,598 11 6 30,956 4 1 642 7 5 31,598 11 6 i * Advances made Accoimts not paid by Treasury at 31st March, 1917 £ s. d. 30,315 14 0 640 10 1 £30,956 4 1

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Revenue Account. £ s. d. . £ s. d. 4 per cent, interest on debentures (£36,030) .. .. .. .. .. 776 17 4 Interest on mortgages to 31st;Decembcr, 1916 .. .. .. .. 295 12 10 Printing debentures .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 017 0 Interest to 31st March, 1917, being part of half-year's interest for period ended 30th June, 1917, not recoverable until Ist July, 1917 .. .. .. 346 14 7 Balance, being loss transferred to Suspense Account .. .. .. 135 7 5 £777 14 10 £777 U 10 Balance-sheet. Liabilities. £ s. d. Assets. £ s. d. Debentures .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36,000 0 0 Advances secured on mortgage in the District Offices for balances owing, including Accounts not settled by Treasury at 31st March. 1917, and charged up in books of £147 Bs. lOd. transferred from Stock Account not adjusted in Treasury at District Offices .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 640 10 1 31st March, 1917 .. .. .. .... .. _.. 29,756 19 4 Interest on debentures paid out of Consolidated Fund to Ist March, 1917 .. 655 10 8 Arrears of interest, including £346 14s. 7d. not recoverable at 31st March, 1917.. 428 9 10 Accrued interest on debentures, 2nd March, 1917. to 31st March, 1917j .. .. 121 6 S Stock (fencing-wire, &c.) on hand, Wellington District .. £398 6 9 Less transfers to advances not adjusted in Treasury books at 31st March. 1917 .. .. .. .. 147 810 250 17 11 Cash in Public Account .. .. .. .• • • •. .. 6,824 211 Cash in hands of imprestees .. .. .. •. . • • ■2110 0 Suspense Account fW W ■ - • • • • • • • ■ ■ • ■ • 135 ' ° £37,417 7 5 £37,417 7 5

T. N. Brodhiok, Under-Secretary for Lands. J. H. O'DONNELL, Chief Accountant.

By Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1917.

Approximate Cost of Pope. — Preparation, not siven ; printing (1,500 copies), £15.

Price, 6d.]