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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1920 Session I, C-01

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1920. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

CONTENTS. General Repobt :— Page Appendix II:— Page Conditions of Settlement .. ... .. 2 Lands for SettlementLegislation .. .. .. .. 2 Extracts from Reports of Commissioners of Digest of Land Laws .. .. .. 3 Crown LandsAggregation of Land .. .. .. 3 North Auckland .. .. .. 18 Conferences .. .. .. .. 4 Auckland .. .. .. .. 19 Southern Pastoral Lands Commission .. 4 Hawke's Bay .'. .. .. .. 19 Expenditure .. .. .. .. 4 Taranaki .. .. .. .. 19 Acquisition of Land by Persons of Enemy Origin 6 Wellington .. .. .. .. 19 Staff of the Department .. .. .. 6 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 19 Work of the Department .. .. .. 6 Nelson .. .. .. .. 19 Work done for other Departments .. .. 6 Westland .. .. .. .. 20 Honours awarded to the Department .. 7 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 20 Departmental Changes .. .. .. 7 Otago .. .. .. .. ~ 20 Forestry Branch .. .. .. .. 8 Southland .. .. .. .. 20 Land-drainage Operations .. .. .. 9 , T Departmental Roll of Honour .. .. 9 appendix ill :— Reports on Cognate Subjects .. .. 9 Land-drainage Operations .. ..20-24 Headofficc 9 Appendix IV:Waimarino Bush-fire Relief Fund .. .. 24 Appendix I: — _ ... , , „ T j Appendix. V: — Settlement of Crown Lands— North Auckland .. .. .. .. 10 Roll of Honour .. .. .. .. 24-32 Auckland.. .. .. .. -. 12 ' Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. 13 Tables:— Taranaki .. .. .. • .. .. 14 Table 1.- Lands of the Dominion, Position of Wellington .. .. .. .. 14 (approximately).. .. .. 34 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 15 „ 2.—Selections during the Year .. 34 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. 15 „ 3.—A1l Lands held on Lease .. .. 34 Westland.. .. .. .. .. 16 „ 4.—Lands for Settlement Lands .. 35 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 17 „ s.—Endowment Lands Leased and AdOtago .. .. .. .. .. 17 ministered by Land Boards .. 35 Southland .. .. .. .. 18 „ 6. —Revenue and Arrears .. .. 35

REPORT. Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 10th June, 1.920. I have the honour to submit herewith the report on the operations of the Department of Lands and Survey for the year ended 31st March, 1920. I have, &c, T. N. Bbobbick, Under-Secretary. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands.

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REPORT. Conbitions op Settlement. As will be seen by a reference to the detailed reports of the Commissioners of Crown Lands in Appendix I, the weather of the past year was not uniformly favourable for the farmers, particularly those who relied on dairying as their principal means of support. In the North Island, the winter and spring were somewhat trying, but later on in the season conditions improved, and the total result must be regarded as satisfactory. This is largely accounted for by the increasing demand for dairyproduce and the high prices -realized. One gratifying feature of the year was the development of new land that took place partly due to the return of the members of the Expeditionary Force, a large number of whom settled on the land and helped to increase its productiveness, whilst it was noticed that farmers' sons from the South Island are continually being attracted to the lands of the North Island where climatic conditions are milder and where there is a greater quantity of virgin land for development. In the South Island, generally speaking, sheep-farmers did fairly well, although dairy-farmers did not experience a very good season. But on the whole the results were quite up to the average. Throughout the Dominion the high prices ruling for farm-products of all kinds led to still higher prices being asked and obtained for land than in any previous years, and there was a universal participation in speculation leading to much transferring and trafficking in land of every description. In this connection it may be mentioned that there are no fewer than 1,400 registered land agents in New Zealand, as against 919 in 1913, when the Land Agents Act was first in operation. A feature of the year was the number of subdivisional sales of properties that before the war were regarded as only sufficient in area for one holding. This has been very marked in the neighbourhood of centres of population in the North Island. Enhanced prices have been realized, and only the continual demand at high rates for our primary products will enable much of the land to return an adequate income to the present owners. As an indication of the manner in which the Department's operations affect settlement it may be mentioned that in the agricultural and pastoral statistics, published in the Gazette of the 30th October last, it was stated that there were 80,468 occupied holdings of over 1 acre in the Dominion. The returns appended to this report show that there are 33,948 tenants who are occupying Crown lands and national endowmfnts, whilst 755 tenants occupy educational reserves or other class of land administered by this Department. In addition over 3,000 discharged soldiers have been assisted to purchase rural land by means of advances made by the Department under the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1917. It will therefore be seen that nearly one-half of the settlers of the Dominion who occupy rural land have done so through the instrumentality of this Department, and any change in the land laws of the Dominion affects a very large proportion of its farmers. Legislation. The following is a brief summary of the legislation affecting the operations of this Department which was passed during last year's session of Parliament: — Land Laws Amendment Act, 1919. —This is an Act containing twenty-seven sections. Sections 2 to 10 provide for the setting-up of a Dominion Land Purchase Board, and of such local Purchase Boards in the various land districts as may be required. Section 11 makes provision for the settingapart for occupation rent-free under special conditions of lands, such as pumice and gum areas, which cannot be profitably occupied under ordinary tenures, and for the making of advances for improvements thereon, &c. Section 19 revives the right of lessees in perpetuity of settlement land who have served abroad in Expeditionary Forces to acquire the freehold of their holdings, and makes this right exercisable up till the sth November, 1924. Section 20 amends the law with regard to the aggregation of private lands, and sections 25, 26, and 27 make amendments found necessary in the Land Settlement Finance Act, 1909. The remaining sections are what may be termed " machinery " measures embodying improvements in the land laws which have been found necessary in the course of experience. Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1919. —Section 3 of this Act gives power to grant leases of lands within kauri-gum districts for recovering kauri-gum and other valuable products, with rights of renewal not exceeding forty-two years in the aggregate, instead of restricting leases to a period of twenty-one years as formerly. Provision is also made for the issue of gam-brokers' licenses, and for increasing the fees to be paid for various licenses issued under the Kauri-gum Industry Act. State. Forests Amendment Act, 1919.--This Act gives power to set apart areas of nationalendowment land as provisional State forests, and provides for the payment of the revenue therefrom into State Forests Account, one-half of which is then to be transferred to the National Endowment Account. Statutes Repeal and Expiring Laws Continuance Act, 1919. —This Act continues the operation until the 31st August, 1920, of the following enactments : Sections 42, 43, and 44 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1914, which provide respectively for the exemption of lessees from restrictions with regard to cropping, postponement of rent payable under pastoral licenses, and postponement of rent payable under settlement small-grazing-run leases. Reserves and other Lands Disposal, &c, Act, 1919. —This Act, which authorizes special dealings with reserves, &c, contains 114 clauses, relating in most cases to matters of purely local interest. . Appropriation Act, 1919. -This Act confers on the Minister of Finance, inter alia, power to borrow further moneys for the purposes of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908, not exceeding in the aggregate £300,000 ; also for the purposes of the Bangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910, up to an amount not exceeding £250,000. Regulations. —An amendment in the ballot regulations made during the current year makes provision for land ballots being prepared and conducted on a simplified system suggested by an officer of this Department. Under this new system a great deal of the laborious work formerly necessitated by large ballots can be avoided,

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Digest of Lanb Laws. Since 1908, when the laws of the Dominion were consolidated, there have been continuous amendments thereof, and it was found increasingly difficult to ascertain the law relating to any particular question that might be under consideration. To obviate this dillieulty, and to show the present law in a simple manner, the Chief Clerk of the Department (Mr. W. R. Jourdain), who is a solicitor of the Supreme Court, prepared a Digest, under alphabetical headings, of the whole of the provisions of the Land Act, 1908 ; the Land for Settlements Act, 1908 ; the Land Laws Amendments Acts of 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, 1918, and 1919 ; the Land for Settlements Administration Act, 1909 ; the Land Settlement Finance Act, 1909, and amendment of 1910 ; the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act of 1915, and amendments of 191.6, 1917, and 1919 ; the War Legislation Act (Part II), 1916 ; War Legislation Act (Part I), 1917 and 1918 ; the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908, and amendments of 1911, 1.912, and 1914; the Education Reserves Act, 1908, and amendments of 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, and 1915 ; the State Forests Act, 1908, and amendments ; the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and amendments ; together with references to numerous sections in thirty-eight other statutes. Nearly a hundred law cases are cited in the Digest as bearing upon the provisions of the Acts summarized, and many references and notes are given so as to elucidate the meaning of the sections quoted. The Conference of Commissioners of Crown Lands considered the matter and were unanimously in favour of its publication. The Government therefore decided to purchase the copyright of the Digest, and it is now printed and available for circulation and sale. The Digest will be of great service to solicitors, local bodies, returned soldiers' associations, Crown tenants, and the public generally, as forming a ready and complete compendium of the law relating to Crown land, endowments, reserves, and forests. Aggregation of Land. One of the questions that is frequently discussed and is of general interest is whether the lands of the Dominion are being aggregated in a way prejudicial to the public interests. In order that the position may be readily understood it is first necessary to give a brief resume of the legislation in force relating to the subject. The law at present is as follows : - 1. Aggregation of Crown Land is prohibited by section 97 of the Land Act, 1908, which limits the area of Crown land that may be acquired under Parts 111 and IV of the Land Act, 1908, to 5,000 acres of third-class land, or the equivalent of first- or second-class land, including area already held by the applicant. These equivalent areas of more valuable land are 666 acres of first class, or 2,000 acres of second class. In cases where occupied lands have not been classified under any Land Act the class is determined by its unimproved value (not including value of standing timber) as follows : Lands of which the unimproved value is upwards of £8 per acre is deemed to be first-class, between £4 and £8 per acre second-class, and less than £4 per acre third-class land. 2. Aggregation of Crown leaseholds is prevented by many provisions of the Land Act, which prohibits a Crown tenant of rural land from becoming the licensee or lessee of a second license or lease unless the land comprised in the several licenses or leases adjoin each other, or until he has fulfilled during a period of three years from the date thereof the conditions of the first license. The holding of more than one small-grazing-run lease is also prohibited except under special conditions which include the recommendation of the Land Board and the approval of the Minister, and holding of more than one pastoral license is similarly prohibited. >*t 3. Aggregation of settlement land is dealt with by the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act, 1908, and no selector is allowed to occupy more than one allotment unless the area held by him is too limited for the sufficient maintenance of himself and family, whilst an amendment of the Act prevents any person from becoming the owner in fee-simple of more than 3,000 acres of third-class settlement and other land, or the equivalent of 400 acres of first-class or 1,200 acres of second-class land. 4. Aggregation of private (or freehold) land is dealt with in Part XIII of the Land Act, 1908, as amended, and it is there provided that all Crown land sold in freehold after the 20th November, 1907, is subject to limitations. These prohibit any person acquiring an interest in land subject to Part XIII if such land together with that he may already hold exceeds the total area of 5,000 acres calculated as provided in the Land Act and as indicated in paragraph 1. An amendment to the Act provides that land held by a company of less than twenty shareholders shall be deemed to be held in common by every member, and land held by any member of the company shall be deemed to be held by the company. Certain interests aie excepted from the operations of Part XIII, comprising the acquisition of interests by way of mortgage, or by a trustee, executor, &c. ; interests acquired in tiust for religious, educational, charitable, or public purposes, and certain interests acquired by way of exchange or as compensation in connection with the taking of roads. As the above provisions were found not to sufficiently restrict undue aggregation of land, special provisions were passed in 1913, and amended in 1918 and in 1919, which apply to land acquired by any person who is already the owner of other land. As, however, it frequently happens that such acquisition is not detrimental to public interests, it is provided that when such second area is acquired it is not affected by the Act and is not resumed by the Crown unless the Land Purchase Board reports that such aggregation is contrary to the public interests in respect to the close settlement of land, and that the land or any part thereof is suitable for acquisition by the Crown. Any land so acquired is subject to the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act and is dealt with thereunder. Although many cases of alleged aggregation have been reported to the Government and have been investigated as provided in the Act, no case has yet been found where the Board is in the position to make the statutory recommendation, and consequently no action has yet been taken. It is probable that the passing of the legislation has largely put a stop to undue aggregation, and it has been found that in many cases investigated, although one person is supposed to own large areas of land in excess of what is deemed reasonable, yet the areas are frequently held by different members of the family, or relatives, &c, in such a manner that the quota of land which the person is legally entitled to acquire does not exceed the total amount that has been purchased and is held by them, Moreover, trusts

C—l. and settlements have also in some eases complicated the matter, as the beneficiaries thereunder would be detrimentally affected were the land taken from their trustee or legal, representative. As a matter of general interest it may be pointed out that there is a continual tendency for holdings to diminish in area. In 1912 it was found that the occupied holdings from 1 acre upwards totalled 73,876, and that the total acreage of occupied land then was 40,238,126 acres. Of this land there were ninety holdings of over 50,000 acres, containing a total acreage of 8,128,742 acres, and the average holding was found to be 544 acres. In 1919 there were 80,468 holdings of 1 acre and upwards ; the total area then occupied was 43,342,706 acres. Included in this land were sixty-two estates of over 50,000 acres, containing a total acreage of 5,396,912 acres, showing a considerable diminution since 1912 of large holdings, whilst the average holding in 1919 had decreased to 538 acres. It must therefore be conceded that there is a marked tendency for large holdings to gradually disappear, and it may be, pointed out that there is a great area of land in New Zealand that is only fit for utilizing in large runs. Of Crown land and national endowment alone there are over 10,000,000 acres held in a little over 600 separate runs, and although, whenever the license of such a run falls in, a special commission carefully goes over the land to see if it is suitable for subdivision, it is found to be very difficult to reduce the size of these runs, although every opportunity is taken to do so. Conferences. Two important conferences were held at Wellington during the year. The first extended from Monday, 28th April, until Friday, 2nd May, and was presided over by the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands ; the other members of the conference being the Head of the. Department and the Commissioners of Crown Lands for the various districts, as follows: T. N. Brodriek, Esq., 0.8. E., Under-Secretary of Lands ; R. P. Greville, Esq., F.R.G.S. (North Auckland) ; 11. M. Skeot, Esq. (Auckland) ; W. F. Marsh, Esq. (Hawke's Bay) ;G. H. Bullard, Esq. (Taranaki); G. H. M. McClure, Esq. (Wellington) ; H. D. McKellar, Esq.' (Nelson) ; 11. J. Lowe, Esq. (Marlborough) ; R. S. Galbraith, Esq. (Westland) ; H. D. M. Haszard, Esq., F.R.G.S. (Canterbury) ; R. T. Sadd, Esq. (Otago) ; T. Brook, Esq. (Southland). The secretary was Mr. S. Gambrill, of the Head Office. The conference dealt with two important phases of settlement —part I relating to discharged soldiers settlement on the land, and part II amendments to the Land Act and general land-adminis-tration —whilst eighty-two remits were considered and duly dealt with. Very important decisions affecting tho administration of the land were arrived at, some of which were given effect to by departmental rulings, and others necessitated the amendment of regulations or of the Acts in force. The conference was specially addressed by the Hon. Sir Francis Bell, Commissioner of State Forests, who explained the future forest policy of the Government, and how best the Departments of Lands and Forestry could co-operate. The Chairman in his preliminary address explained to the Commissioners of Crown Lands, who administer the Acts in their respective districts, the principles that govern the present land policy of the Dominion, and made several valuable suggestions, which were duly dealt with, subsequently. This conference was the fifth that has been held—the previous ones being in 1904, 1911, 1913, and 1914 —and was most extensive and comprehensive. The other conference was that of the, senior clerical, officers of the Department, which met at Wellington on Wednesday, 14th January, and terminated on the succeeding Wednesday. It was composed as follows : W. R. Jourdain, Esq. (Chairman), Chief Clerk, Head Office ; J. H. O'Donnell, Esq., Chief Accountant, Head Office ; W. Robertson, Esq., Departmental Inspector of Offices ; J. G. Bendely, Esq., Chief Clerk, Aucklandj A. D. McGavock, Esq., Chief Clerk, Dunedin ; A. C. Turnbull, Esq., Secretary, Public Service Commissioner's Office ; A. D. Park, Esq., Inspector, Public Service Commissioner's Office. Mr. J. R. MacCormick (Head Office) acted as secretary. Mr. A. B. Jordan, Supervisor of Soldier Settlements, Auckland District, also attended the meetings of the conference. This conference was summoned to discuss the question of the staffing of the clerical branch of the Department, and other matters pertaining to the working of the various land offices, particularly with regard to the increase of work necessitated by the, Department's operations under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. The'suitablo allocation of work between the various branches of the clerical division were dealt with, and every endeavour made to expedite and facilitate dealing with discharged soldiers' applications for land and advances, the preparation of the necessary documents and securities, and in every way to simplify and safeguard the Department and the Government in its transactions. This was the second conference of clerical officers that has been held, the previous one having been held at Wellington in June, 1914. Southern Pastoral Lands Commission. In order to inquire into the manner in which the Crown pastoral lands of Otago, Southland, and Canterbury have been and are being occupied, and tho best manner of utilizing the same, a Royal Commission was set up on the Ist April last, consisting of Messrs. R. T. Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Otago (Chairman) ; W. B. Buckhurst, of Christchurch ; L. Cockayne, F.R.S., F.L.S., &c, of Wellington ; D. Jardine, of Southland ; R. Scott, of Kyeburn ; A. Mclnnes, of Otiake ; and C. Todd, of Dunedin; whilst Mr. A. D. MacGavock (Lands Department) acted as Secretary. The Commission duly visited and inspected the lands in question, and before the date of its expiry its scope was extended by its being directed to report upon the pastoral lands of Marlborough, and Mr. A. J. Murray, of Kekorangu, was appointed an additional member. The report of the Commission was duly sent to His Excellency, and is being laid on the table of the House as a special paper. Numerous and valuable suggestions were made by the Commission, both with regard to tenures under which land is now held, the method of occupying and utilizing the lands, and several other matters which pertain to the administration of the lands in question. Expenditure. The amount appropriated on the, Consolidated Fund for the purpose of the Lands and Survey Department amounted to £264,294, against which the net expenditure amounted to £238,365, being £25,929 less than estimated requirements. The administration, management, survey, and other expenditure out of Consolidated Fund upon works controlled by the Department or incidental to

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Departmental activities amounted to £315,870, against which the sum of £77,505 was recovered for services rendered to other Departments and for charges upon expenditure of loan funds administered by the Department. The net expenditure was therefore £238,365, being an increase of £28,962 on the expenditure of the previous year. The principal items contributing towards the increase are — £ Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..33.100 Equipment and wages .. .. .. .. .. .. 8,300 Instruments .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,900 Advertising .. .. .. .. ~. .. .. 2,800 Postages, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,500 Temporary assistance .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,500 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,900 Hauraki Plains (metalling roads) .. .. .. .. .. 3,900 Land Board fees .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,400 Maintenance and construction of roads .. .. .. .. 2,600 As against this the following items appearing in last year's expenditure do not recur : — £ War bonus .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9,500 Contribution to State forests .. .. .. .. .. 9,500 Remission of rent, Section 23, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1915 .. 3,400 Contribution to Waimarino Bush-fire Relief Fund .. . . . . 10,000 The principal cause for the increase in the administrative items is the volume of work arising out of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, and its amendments. An appropriation of £20,000 was taken under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account in anticipation of this increase, which amount was duly credited. Last year the gross credits to the vote £46,474, as against this year, £77,505, an increase of £31,031, which includes the £20,000 referred to. The Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account shows £7,900,580 charged during the year, as against £594,920 charged for the previous year. Statement of accounts in connection with these transactions appear in the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Report. The gross amount charged up by the Department shows an increase of £7,469,791 over that of the previous year, operations on the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Accouut being principally responsible for the increase.

Summary of Expenditure approved during the Year ended 31st March, 1920.

Net liecovorios. Net Expenditure. Name; o£ Vote or Acoount. Amount m ,., voted. Expenditure. Amount voted. Gross Expenditure. Consolidated Fund. £ £ s. d. Lands and Survey .. .. .. 166,257 232,683 17 3 Lands and Survey, Mscellaneous .. 98.037 83,186 1 0 State Forests Account .. .. 136,998 67,142 4 6 Land for Settlements Expenses .. 13,525 5,715 3 6 Scenery-preservation Account.. .. 6,356 752 1.0 11 £ . 166,257 98.037 . 136,998 13,525 6.356 £ s. d. 232,683 17 3 83,186 1 0 67,142 4 6 5,715 3 6 752 10 1.1 £ s. d. 71,178 6 10 6,326 19 7 323 2 0 943 16 1 £ s. d. 161,505 10 5 76,859 1 5 66,819 2 6 4,771 7 5 752 10 11 Totals .. .. .. .. 389,479 17 2 389,479 17 2 78,772 4 6 310,707 12 8 Public Works Fund. Improved-farm Settlements .. .. 450 142' 0 0 Lands, Miscellaneous .. .. 8,047 2,964 19 0 . ' 450 8,047 142' 0 0 2,964 19 0 142 10 5 Or. 0 10 5 2,964 19 0 Totals .. .. .. .. 3,106 19 0 3,106 19 0 142 10 5 2,964 8 7 Land for Settlements Account. Roads to open up Crown Lands for Settle- 250,000 63,266 11 4 le- 250,000 63,266 11 4 1,574 6 1 01,692 5 3 ment Land for Settlements Account .. . . .. 47,391 2 1 Rangitaiki Land Drainage Account (Section 7, j 58,625 2 9 Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1.910) Hauraki Plains Settlement Account (Section 95, ' 69,229 18 9 Reserves, &c., Act, 1916) I Swamp Land Drainage Account (Section 95, Reserves, &c, Act, 1916)— Kaitaia .. .. .. .. .. 28,917 6 0 Waihi .. .. .. .. .. ! 1,713 13 8 Poukawa .. .'. .. .. 96 10 2 Hikurangi .. .. .. .. 834 11 10 National Endowment Account .. . . .. 8,930 4 1 Native Land Settlement Account .. .. 34,284 8 11 Special Acts, Deposit Account, Refunds, &c. .. 8,832 13 11 Waimarino Bush-fire Relief Account . . . . 18,083 10 1 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account . . 7,900,580 4 10 11,388 11 2 819 6 0 370 6 1 0 19 11 20 0 0 36,002 10 11 58,616 3 3 68,859 12 8 28,916 0 1 ! 1,693 13 8 96 10 2 834 11 10 8,930 4 1 34,284 8 11 8,832 13 11 18,083 10 1 7,900,580 4 10 Totals .. .. .. .. 8,177,519 7 1 Grand totals .. .. .. 8,633,372 14 7 11,788 16 8 i 8,165,730 10 5 92,277 17 8 8,541,094 16 11

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Acquisition of Land by Persons of Enemy Origin. Under Part I of the War Legislation and Statute! Law Amendment Act, 1918, the GovernorGeneral may grant licenses in writing authorizing persons of enemy origin to acquire land, or any estate or interest in land, in the Dominion. By a Proclamation appearing in the New Zealand Gazette No. 19, of the 23rd February, 1920, the date of the termination, of the war with Germany was stated to be the 10th January, 1920. The effect of this Proclamation in regard to land-dealings by alien enemies is that they are now subject to the same provisions in this respect as persons of enemy origin. Since the War Legislation and Statute Law Amendment Act, 1918, came into force on the 10th December, 1918, 325 applications for licenses have been received. Of these 153 have been granted, 87 refused, and the rest have either lapsed or have been withdrawn as unnecessary. The licenses granted have been chiefly in connection with mortgage transactions and for the acquisition of town properties for residential purposes. No licenses have been granted covering rural land unless there were exceptional circumstances surrounding the case, as, for instance, where members of the applicant's family have rendered war services. Staff of the Department. Owing to the great expansion of work consequent on the development of discharged soldiers settlement on the land the staff of the Department was considerably strengthened during the year, At the outbreak of war the staff of the Department totalled 572, comprising 506 permanent and 66 temporary officers. This staff was much depleted through officers joining the Forces and other calls upon their services, and at the 31st March, 1919, it had just been restored to its previous strength, the staff then comprising 498 permanent and 82 temporary officers, or a total of 580. During the last twelve months 113 new appointments to the permanent staff were made, including 19 temporary officers made permanent, whilst 71 officers were transferred from other Departments, the balance being cadets, shorthand-typists, or junior officers. The Department lost the services of 43 permanent officers, who retired, on superannuation or else resigned from the Service, whilst 9 officers were transferred to other Departments. At the end of the year the staff of the Department consisted of 586 permanent officers and 88 temporary officers, or a total of 674. Work of the Department. It may be well to briefly touch upon the work performed by the staff, which comprises surveyors, draughtsmen, land-drainage engineers and their assistants, computers, chirks, shorthand-typists, machinists, Crown lands rangers, supervisors of soldier settlements, timber-measurers, &c. The Department has to administer the provisions of some fifty to sixty Acts of Parliament, which deal with Crown lands, national, endowments, educational endowments, domains, public reserves, cemeteries, and lands specially leased under the Land for Settlements Act and the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. The operations include the survey and subdivision of land in its virgin state, the survey and subdivision of improved lands purchased from private owners, and the reclamation and drainage of swamps owned by the Crown. When these lands arc available for settlement they are then offered for selection or allotted under the provisions of the Land Acts, &c, by the Land Board of the eleven land districts into which the Dominion is divided. After disposal of the lands the necessary titles are prepared, and it is then the duty of the Boards to collect the revenue from the lands disposed of, and to see that the provisions of the Acts relating to residence and improvements, cultivation of the land, &c, are carried out. In addition, as over £15,000,000 has been loaned by the Government under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act to eligible applicants to enable them to acquire freehold farms or to erect houses and improve their holdings, it is necessary to attend to the; work in connection therewith, involving the preparation -of mortgages and bills of sale, the taking-out of policies of insurance, and the proper registration and dealing with the various securities required. The dealings with stock alone require great care, and are specially dealt with by the supervisors, accountants, &c. ; and when it is borne in mind that there are some thirty-five thousand Crown tenants on the books of the Department, whilst another twelve thousand discharged soldiers have had advances made to them through the Department and require to be dealt with, in a somewhat similar manner, it will be seen that to safeguard the funds of the State and to ensure that settlement is progressing on satisfactory lines and in a manner in accordance with the law requires the energies of a large staff to carry on the work entrusted to it in an efficient and capable manner. Special attention is drawn to the fact that through the loss of trained officers by death in the Expeditionary Forces or otherwise, and by the great increase of work coming upon the Department immediately after the conclusion of the war, a heavy strain was thrown on all the staff, and it was impossible to get trained officers to take the place of those who had gone. Although the new officers worked to the best of their ability, yet it will be some time before they can take the place of their predecessors and carry on the work without constant supervision. In almost every office the strain has been badly felt, and the circumstances necessitated officers having to work under abnormal conditions, which for the time being imposed a very heavy burden upon them. It is gratifying to relate that in every instance the officers responded to the call to the best of their ability, and too much credit cannot be given to the responsible officers who carried out the work of the Department in a loyal, painstaking, and thorough manner. Work done for other Departments. The amount of work done by the Department for other Departments of the State, is very considerable. All the surveys of Native lands with but few exceptions are let, supervised, and checked by the Department ; the surveys of all private lands, subdivisions, townships, &c, are checked prior to the issue of the Land Transfer titles ; and these two branches, which are quite unconnected with Crown lands, absorb the work of a large number of specialist officers, as also does the work of checking the plans and documents required for taking lands for any public purpose. The Department prepares and supplies also a, large number of maps required in connection with all the functions of Government, such as public works, statistics, &c, including the census enumeration, which alone requires over half an acre of calico to mount the necessary plans.

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Technical descriptions of all kinds are also prepared and checked, both for other Departments l and local bodies' purposes, and for all sorts of administrative and other districts, the whole forming a volume of ancillary work of very respectable proportions. For the Native Land Purchase Board careful, and detailed reports and recommendations are made regarding the value and suitability of Native lands for acquisition by the Crown for settlement purposes. Reports are also supplied to the Education Department as to the condition of settlement and population of the locality when fresh schools arc applied for. For the Housing Branch of the Labour Department reports are submitted on lands deemed suitable for workers' dwellings, and, where necessary, Crown lands are set apart therefor. Departmental officers act as Commissioners at the request of the Department of Internal Affairs when the alteration of boundaries of boroughs and local districts require reporting on. In many other instances, also, the officers of the Lands and Survey Department co-operate with those of other Departments to their mutual advantage. Honours awarded to the Department. Since the publication of the last annual report His Majesty has been graciously pleased to bestow upon the Under-Secretary of the Department the Order of the British Empire (0.8. E.) and the Companionship of the Imperial Service Order (1.5.0.). Previous recipients of similar honours have been —William C. Kensington (Under-Secretarv, 1902-12), 1.5.0. ; John Strauchon (Under-Secretarv, 1912-14), 1.5.0.; James Mackenzie (Under-Secretary, 1914-16), 1.5.0. Departmental Changes. For the first time for a number of years no deaths have occurred amongst the staff. There have, however, been a certain number of retirements. Retirements. Mr. John Roddick joined the Department as an assistant surveyor in January, 1893, and was employed on survey operations in the Canterbury and Hawke's Bay Districts, being promoted to District Surveyor on the 2nd July, 1908. He was transferred to the Gisborne office staff as draughtsman in 1914, and finally retired from the Public Service in March last owing to ill health. Through his official career he proved himself an industrious and conscientious officer, and did much survey work in very rough country. His surveys were always honestly executed, and to the best of his ability both in the field and in the office he performed the duties allocated to him. Mr. Peter Albert Dalziel was appointed as Survey cadet on the Ist January, 1883, and carried out settlement and other surveys in the Nelson, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki Districts. He was appointed District Surveyor from, the Ist April, 1901, but was transferred to the Nelson office staff as a draughtsman and computer in March, 1906, being subsequently retired on superannuation on the 30th November last. Mr. Arthur Lagdon Haylock was appointed a cadet in the Timaru office of the Department on the Ist May, 1887, being subsequently a draughtsman in the Christchurch office, from which he was transferred to the Head Office in 1891. He retired on superannuation after the completion of forty years' service on the 30th September last. During his long and meritorious career Mr. Haylock performed excellent work for the Department, and endeared himself to all those with whom he came in contact. The latest issued map of the City of Wellington and environs will always stand as a record of the excellence of his work. It may be added that although he was eligible to retire from the Service soon after the outbreak of war he was specially retained on account of the good work he was doing. He set an example of steady, systematic, and conscientious application that would serve as a model to all junior officers who worked with him. Mr. Henry Easton Taylor joined the Service on the I.9th September, 1881, and did good work as a draughtsman both in the lithographic branch and in the preparation of maps, in which he displayed fine qualities of draughtsmanship. For many years he was associated with the Head Office of the Department, and his retirement through having reached the ago of sixty-five years closed an official career of much, merit. Mr. Taylor's work in his best days reached the high-water mark of technical excellence and showed remarkably little falling off to the end. Mr. Nathaniel Litton Falkiner first joined the Department on the Ist September, 1890, and was employed as a surveyor in the Southland District. He was transferred to the Roads Department in April, 1900, and retransferred to this Department in November, 1908, retiring from the Service on the 31st March, 1904. He rejoined the Department in March, 1907, as a surveyor in the Southland District, and finally left the Department and the Service on the 30th June, 1919, through having reached the, age-limit. During his service he performed his work well and carried out his duties in a satisfactory manner. Mr. George Ferrars Townshend first joined the Department as a temporary officer on the Ist January, 1878, but on the Ist January, 1882, was appointed a draughtsman on the permanent staff. From that date until his retirement on the 30th June, 1919, he was employed in the Auckland office, in which he did good conscientious work as a Crown grants draughtsman and such other duties as were entrusted to him from time to time. Mr. James Brown Greig was appointed an assistant draughtsman in the Department on the Ist April, 1883, and acted in this capacity, and during his long career in the Southland office, attended to various phases of draughting-work, showing himself a capable and deserving officer. Having reached the age-limit he was retired on the 30th November last. Mr. William Blyth Buckhurst joined the Department on the 25th April, 1899, as a Crown, lands ranger, in which capacity he acted in the Wellington, Marlborough, and Canterbury Districts, showing himself very capable, intelligent, and attentive to his duties. Having reached the age-limit he was retired on the 30th June, 1913, leaving behind him a fine record of careful and efficient work. Mr. John Mackenzie Urquhart joined the Department as a clerk on the 21st August, 1893, and acted in this capacity in the Wellington and Head offices of the Department, retiring therefrom

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through ill health on the 31st October last. He worked to the best of his ability, and his obliging and courteous manner made him respected by all his fellow-officers. Mr. James Alexander A.ttridge joined the Department as a cleric on the lOth April, 1895, and worked in the Head and Auckland offices of the Department, finally retiring on the Ist December last. He proved himself a steady worker.

Appointments, Promotions, and Transfers.

Transfers to Other Departments. The Department lost the services of the following senior officers, who accepted higher positions in other Departments of the Service : E, Phillips Turner (Secretary, Forestry Department) ; A. C. Turnbull (secretary to the Public Service, Commissioner) E. F. Hawthorne (Chief Clerk, Justice Department); F. T. Sandford (Clerk in charge, 'limber Branch, Board of Trade) ; E. A. Meredith (District Valuer, Valuation Department) ; G. T. Martin (District Valuer, Valuation Department, Southland) ; A. L. Menzies (Public Health Department)—whilst several other officers resigned from the Department and the Public Service. Forestry Branch. Owing to the increasing importance of utilizing in a satisfactory manner the forests of the Dominion, and of providing for the sctting-apart, demarcation, and administration of the State

icer appointed am 'revious Position. Position to which appointed. R. P. Greville, F.R.G.S., Kauri-gum Superintendent IT. D. M. Haszard, E.R.G.S., Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Invercargill T. Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Hokitika II. D. McKellar, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Marlborough II. ,J. Lowe, Chief Draughtsman, Auckland Commissioner of Crown Lands, Chief Surveyor, and Kauri-gum Superintendent, North Auckland. Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Christchurch. Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Invercargill. Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Nelson. Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Marlborough. Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, Westland. Chief Draughtsman, Wellington. R. S. Galbraith, Chief Draughtsman, Wellington W. T. Morpeth, Land Transfer Draughtsman, Wellington J. Cook, Chief Draughtsman, Napier .1. R. Strachan, Land Transfer Draughtsman, NelChief Draughtsman, Auckland. Land Transfer Draughtsman, Wellington. son J. D. Thomson, Chief Draughtsman, Blenheim .. H. Maitland, District Surveyor, Nelson A. J. Wicks, Draughtsman, Blenheim R. S. Logan R. J. Cornwell, Draughtsman, Auckland W. Robertson, Senior Clerk, Auckland .. C. E. Archibald, formerly Chief Clerk, Dunedin... Chief Draughtsman, Napier. Chief Draughtsman, Blenheim. Land Transfer Draughtsman, Nelson. Land Drainage Engineer, Auckland. Assistant Drainage Engineer, Auckland. Inspector of Offices. Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, North Auckland. Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Napier. Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Blenheim. Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Invercargill. Senior Clerk, Head Office. Senior Clerk, Wellington. Senior Clerk, North Auckland. Senior Clerk, Auckland. Senior Clerk, New Plymouth. Accountant, North Auckland. Accountant, Christchurch. Cashier, Auckland. Assistant to Chief Accountant, Head Office. Senior Draughtsman, Head Office. Supervisor of Soldier Settlements, North Auckln ml. Supervisor of Soldier Settlements, Auckland. Supervisor of Soldier Settlements, Hawke's Bay. Supervisor of Soldier Settlements, Otago. Supervisor of Soldier Settlements, Wellington. Supervisor of Soldier Settlements, Marlborough and Nelson. Supervisor of Soldier Settlements, Canterbury. Supervisor of Soldier Settlements, Taranaki. Supervisor of Soldier Settlements, Southland. W. J. Munro, Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, New Plymouth A. Marshall, Chief Clerk and Receiver of Land Revenue, Invercargill D. Smith, Accountant, Auckland J. R. McCormick, Senior Clerk, Wellington W. S. Hardy, Supervising Salesman, Head Office R. W. dimming, Clerk, Auckland J. A. Redman, Clerk, Auckland J. D. Hay, Clerk, Dunedin H. R. Robinson, Cashier, Auckland W. E. Shaw, Cashier, Wellington J. P. Lane, Clerk, Wellington . . W. Taylor, Clerk, Public Trust Office H. E. Walshe, District Surveyor, Napier A. P. Smith, Inspector of Stock A. B. Jordan, Crown Lands Ranger, Auckland . . W. S. Goodall, Inspector of Stock A. T. N. Simpson, Inspector of Stock J. B. Grant, Fields Instructor.. H. F. Hursthouse, Crown Lands Ranger G. R. Stevenson P. Barry, Inspector of Stock . . N. E. H. Hubbard ..

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forests and timbered lands belonging to the Crown, it was deemed advisable to constitute the Forestry Branch of this Department a separate Department of the Public Service, and the change took effect on the Ist September, 1919. Mr. I]. Phillips Turner, F.R.G.S., who was acting as Chief Officer of the branch, was appointed Secretary to the new Department, which also took over the State nurseries and plantations at Rotorua, Tapanui, Hanmer, &c, and the, officers employed thereat. Land-drainage Operations. Another phase of the work of the Department is the drainage and reclamation of swamp lands in different parts of the Dominion. This work is controlled by Mr. J. B. Thompson, Chief Drainage Engineer, whose headquarters are in Auckland. A resume of the year's operations in this respect appears in Appendix 111. Departmental Roll ok Honour. In Appendix V will be found a complete list of those officers of the Department who participated in the Great War, and it will be seen that about 30 per cent, of the .Department responded to the call of Empire. In common with other members of the Public Service and with their comrades from New Zealand they earned the undying gratitude of the country by their patriotism and devotion to duty. Reports on Cognate Subjects. As in former years, separate reports are required to be laid before Parliament in connection with many of the operations carried out by the Department. They comprise— Surveys. —The report by the Surveyor-General on the work of the survey (or technical) branch of the Department is submitted in parliamentary paper C.-l a. Swamp-drainage.- - The report required by the Swamp Drainage Act, 1.915, is contained in parliamentary paper C.-4. Discharged Soldiers Settlement. —The annual report under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, is furnished by the Department in parliamentary paper C.-9. Scenery-preservation. —The statutory report containing details of reservations and s'at<ment of accounts appears in parliamentary paper C.-6. Advances for Roading of Grown Lands. —The necessary report submitted in accordance with section 63 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1913, appears in parliamentary paper C.-7. Drainage Operations in Hauraki Plains. —A full report by the, Chief Drainage Engineer on this subject is included in parliamentary paper C.-8. Public Domains. A brief summary of the year's operations is given in parliamentary paper C.-10. Rangitaiki Land Drainage. -The, annual report on the operations in the Rangitaiki Plains is given in parliamentary paper C.-l 1. Kauri-gum Industry. — The annual report of the Kauri-gum Superintendent on the, year's operations is given in parliamentary paper C.-12. Head Office. In common with the District Offices of the Department, the work has shown a considerable expansion during the past year, but every effort has been made to deal with it in a satisfactory manner. Correspondence. —This has shown another marked increase. During the year ended 31st March, 1915, there was a total of 53,187 letters and telegrams received and despatched ; for the, year ended 31st March, 1917, a total of 67,170 was recorded; in the twelve months ended 31st March, 1919, the correspondence totalled 114,065, having thus more, than doubled in volume within four years; and for the year ended 31st March, 1920, the correspondence received was 77,455 and that despatched 81,034, making a total of 158,489, or an increase of 44,424 over the previous year's figures.

Proclamations, Notices, &c., prepared and issued.

There were also issued —Four editions of the Land Guide, comprising a total of 8,9(0 copies ; twelve, monthly posters, comprising 36,100 copies ; and ninety-six land-sale posters, comprising a total of 87,500 copies.

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Proclamations. Orders in Council. Warrants and Notices. Totals. Under the Land Act and the Land for Settlements Act Under the Public Reserves and Domains Act Under the Scenery-preservation Acts Under the Native Land Act Under the Education Reserves Acts and Public Bodies' Leases Act Under the State Forests Act Under the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Acts Under the Cemeteries Act Under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915 Miscellaneous 52 15 6 3 90 201 105 2 256 195 17 6 10 10 7 3 1 1 2 8 6 207 2 5 9 5.1 96 21 51 308 32 Totals 292 108 489 889

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APPENDICES. APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS; EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS ON SETTLEMENT OPERATIONS DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS WHICH ENDED ON THE 31st MARCH, 1920. NORTH AUCKLAND. (R. P. Greville, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Tn submitting this, the first report on the progress of land settlement in this district, it is perhaps fitting and proper to point out that the North Auckland District was constituted on the Ist April, 1919, under the authority of section 3 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1914, and section 5 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1918. Not since the old provincial days had there been a new land district constituted, and the work involved required considerable care, attention, and energy on the part of the officers concerned. To set up this new district under normal conditions would, in itself have been a work of considerable magnitude, owing to the necessity for separating all the, records and maps which had accumulated in this, the oldest district of New Zealand, since the earliest days of settlement ; but to have had to do so at a time when the great rush and demand for land in connection with the settlement of returned soldiers was in full operation made the task a very difficult one. Thanks, however, to the efforts of an energetic staff, it may be said that the work has been performed in 'a satisfactory manner. Much trouble was experienced in the early stages of the establishment of this office owing to the very great difficulty in obtaining officers experienced in the special work of land-administration in sufficient numbers to cope with the work, and also in consequence of the supreme difficulty of getting sufficient office accommodation for the staff. Most of these difficulties have now, however, been overcome, and the district may be regarded as being well established on a satisfactory basis. The North Auckland District comprises all that portion of the, Auckland Provincial District from the Waikato River near Mercer in the south, and extending to the North. Cape. Auckland City is in the district, and is the principal Land Office. The district includes the Counties of Mangonui, Whangaroa, Hokianga, Bay of Islands, Whangarei, ITobson, Otamatea, Rodney, Waitemata, Eden, Great Barrier, Manukau, and Franklin, but does not include the Coromandel Peninsula,. The district has an area of 4,478,200 acres and a population of 219,038. One of the outstanding features of the district is the fact that it contains no barren mountaintop areas, nor any large proportion of waste lands ; and, although some of the lands in the district are pom', even the poorest of them are capable of being brought into a productive state. The highest hills in the district are—Tutamoe, 2,576 ft. ; Raetea, 2463 ft. i Wekaweka, 2,431 ft. ; Hauturu, 2,298 ft, ; Whatoro, 2,213 ft. ; Tangilma, 2,114 ft. ; Tauwhare, 2,069 ft, ; Maungataniwha, 1,918 ft, ; while the, average elevation of the whole, district would probably not exceed 500 ft. above sea-level. It is a well-known fact, however, that some of the higher lands are the most fertile. The only really barren lands at the present time are the sand-dune areas, which are, situated principally on the west coast north and south of the Kaipara Heads, and in the Northern Peninsula, in Mangonui Count} 7 ; but oven these areas could all be reclaimed and brought into a productive state by proper treatment, The district contains large, areas of rich flat lands, notably the extensive flats in the main Wairoa Valley, including the Raupo, Ruawai, Naumai, Tokatoka, and Horahora Flats ; the fine extensive flats on the western side of the Wairoa ; the Kaihu Valley Flats ; the flats in the Awakino and Tangowahine, Valleys, and other tributaries of the great Wairoa River. These mentioned, lie all in the Dargaville district; but there are also the extensive areas surrounding and including the, Hikurangi Swamp, comprising 50,000 acres of first-class land. Then, in the far north, in the Mangonui County, there are the rich and extensive Kaitaia Swamp lands, and farther north, to the south of Hohoura, the well-known Motutangi Swamp, at present in an undeveloped state. In addition to the fiat lands there are large areas of good grazing-country. These were originally bush lands, and have been brought into cultivation. Considerable areas of these lands are capable of carrying from a sheep and a half to two sheep to the acre, and this after having been felled and grassed for many years. In several portions of the district there are areas of volcanic land. These are, situated in the Bay of Islands, Whangarei, and Otamatea Counties, and in the country in the immediate vicinity of Auckland City. In addition to the lands in profitable occupation there are large areas of undeveloped land, and also the lands comprised in the kauri-gum reserves. The poorer undeveloped lands can all be successfully brought under cultivation. All that is necessary is the judicious expenditure of from £7 to £10 per acre in the improvement of them. Under the homestead section of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1919, these lands may be successfully dealt with. Several blocks are now being prepared ready for offering under the new system,

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There are 379,000 acres of Crown lands yet to be disposed of in adddition to the areas included in kauri-gum reserves. Besides the Crown lands there are 568,0.14 acres of Native lands, so that, taking the district as a whole, it offers good prospects of successful development and prosperous settlement. Strong evidence of the confidence of the settlers of the northern districts in their lands is shown by the inauguration of the, " good roads " movement. This was begun in the most northern county— Mangonui- where the Council has raised £54,000, while, coming south, the Whangaroa Council has raised £8,000, the Bay of Islands £68,000, Hokianga, £33,700, while Whangarei and Hobson Counties are also falling into line, and the movement lias taken hold in the counties nearer Auckland ; so that there is every prospect, within the next five years, of there being a good motoring highway extending from Auckland City to near the North Cape. In regard to the kauri-gum lands, these; consist of two main classes, the clay lands and the kauri peat swamp areas. The clay gum land areas have been in a measure exhausted as a gumproducing proposition, as far as the ordinary spade digging by the gum-diggers is concerned, and the gum these lands now contain can only be profitably recovered by the process of cultivating the lands by ploughing and harrowing. The kauri peat swamps, however, are of great value, and all the, products contained therein can be turned to profitable account, first, the gum itself; next, the peat can be utilized for the production of oil; and, lastly, the buried timber can be utilized, the largest spars for fencing-posts and other uses, while the roots, knots, and resinous portions can be pulverized and the gum recovered. After all the valuable products have been secured these peat lands can be utilized for agricultural purposes, when they have become sweetened by exposure to the air, and treated with the proper manures. Within the past twelve months considerable activity has been shown in schemes for the exploitation of these kauri peat; areas by private enterprise, and the value of these lands is becoming more appreciated. Several companies have been formed for the acquisition of areas, with the main object of producing the kauri chips, which during the past year have been in such keen demand and of such high quality. In addition, there are considerable areas of mangrove-swamp hinds in most of the northern districts.. Large areas of these lands can be cheaply reclaimed, and in a few years could be made highly productive. In the many arms of Kaipara Harbour extending from Helensville to Dargaville, in the Bay of Islands County, in Hokianga, and in the Mangonui County, particularly surrounding Rangaunu Bay, there are vast areas of such lands, which could be brought into profitable use by a well-considered scheme of reclamation; and much of the land is only covered with a few inches of water at high tide, and it could be reclaimed by a low stop-bank. This is a question which is deserving of early consideration. On the Ist April 1919, the number of ordinary Crown tenants on the books was 3,038. Since then, owing to the, fact that nearly all available lands for disposal have been retained for discharged soldiers, the roll of ordinary tenants has not materially increased. With the energies of the staff in so large a measure absorbed by the work of setting up the new district, and of dealing with the voluminous business in connection with the settlement of discharged soldiers under section 2 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, there has not been much opportunity for giving proper attention to the progress of ordinary civilian settlement. Transfers.— Every meeting of the Board, brings forth numerous applications by settlers to transfer their holdings, in many cases the amount of goodwill asked being very high, in consequence no doubt of the greatly enhanced land-values during recent years. Mindful, of this fact, the Board used every endeavour during the past year to prevent the incoming man taking on a burden which he had not a. good prospect of carrying successfully. Owing to the time of the Crown Lands Rangers being almost altogether occupied in making inspections of lands applied for by soldiers, in valuing and inspecting stock, or other inspections in connection with advances to soldiers, little attention has been given to the ordinary Rangers' work of making statutory reports on the ordinary settlers, and, with the exception of urgent inspections, this work has had to stand over. The Hanger staff has since been increased, and it is hoped, that during the coming year more attention will be given to these matters. The general policy of the Board in regard to applications for the postponement and remission of rent and. interest has been to consider every case on its merits. If it is found that the applicant has done his part and endeavoured to make good, the Board has always recommended the concession asked for ; but if, on the other hand, it has been found that the settler has endeavoured to escape from his responsibilities, the Board has not made any recommendation. It has come to the knowledge of the Board that in one particular soldier settlement several of the selectors have actually the money in hand to pay their rent but have failed to do so. for what reasons it is hard to discern. In the particular case referred to there are indications that: the settlers want to get all they can from the Government and do little, or nothing in return. The Board has taken up the firm stand that where settlers are on good land under favourable conditions, and have failed to fulfil their obligations, they will be themselves responsible for any consequences which follow. Education. Reserves. -A remarkable increase in dealings with these reserves has been shown during the year. Indeed, trafficking had become so marked that the Board adopted the definite policy in every case of refusing consent to transfer where there appeared to be an undue element of speculation. There are many of these reserves in Auckland City, where there was considerable trafficking going on. The Board refused to transfer any of these areas to persons who already owned a house or a building-site. It has been found in many cases that the rental charged for these reserves has been much too low, and. in one case of a renewal of lease the annual rental was raised from £7 to £73, and in another from £2 to £35. These reserves are a great trust and a valuable asset to the country, and every care is taken in. administering them. Sand-dune Reclamation.—- Attention has been given to this work during the past year, and reclamation works were put in hand on the east coast between the Waipu and the Ruakaka Rivers,

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and on the west coast south of Kaipara Heads. The. principal work done on the Waipu side is on the frontage of the Uretiti Kauri-gum Reserve, and a considerable area was planted in marram, lupin, and other suitable plants. Although the settlers in the Waipu Settlement have been agitating for years to have this work put in hand, they displayed little interest in the, work after it was begun, and one, of the greatest difficulties we had to contend with was in the trespass of the, adjoining settlers' cattle and horses. It was not until ai we started impounding the stock that any attempt was made by the settlers to keep their stock on their own farms. The work on the, west coast was commenced in the vicinity of Woodhill, a few miles south of Helensville, where the sand-drift is seriously encroaching. Several areas have been planted in marram, and plantations of lupins made. It is pleasing to report that the settlers in this locality have heartily co-operated in carrying out the work. One serious difficulty to be faced here is the rabbit pest. This work in both localities has been under the charge of Mr. Samuel Stafford, who has carried it out in a satisfactory manner. Birdwood Estate. —This is a block of clay gum land situated about sixteen miles from Auckland on the Helensville line. The block has been roaded, and subdivided into areas from 25 acres upwards. The land was covered with tea-tree and other scrub ; it had been very intensely dug over by the gum-diggers, and it was decided that the area should be brought into a state of cultivation before being disposed of. With this end in view this scrub was cut down by parties of returned soldiers, the work being let in small contracts. After the felling and clearing was completed a start was made with ploughing the land, the work being done with a tractor, and satisfactory progress has been made. The land is turning over well, and when the work of preparation is completed a successful small settlement should be established on. this land, which has so long been lying in a wilderness condition. Situated so close to Auckland, the land is well adopted for fruit and poultry farms, and will be readily disposed of. The Birdwood Block contains 1,100 acres. The past season on the whole has been a very fair one for stock, both sheep and cattle, all stock having done well, Although there was a slight falling-off in prices of store, cattle, beef has held its price fairly well. The price of sheep has been well maintained throughout the year. The growth of feed during the past autumn has been exceptionally good, and the settlers are looking forward to a prosperous year. Present indications are for dairy stock being in great demand, during the coming season, and the outlook for the dairy-former is encouraging. AUCKLAND. (H. M. SKbet, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Lands opened for Selection. —Apart from lands opened under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, the area offered for public selection was only 11,068 acres, of which 7,846 acres were opened under the optional system and 2,479 acres were education endowment areas for lease only. Practically the whole of these areas had been previously offered, and had either failed to find selectors or had been taken up and forfeited. In the last report it was pointed out that, so far as Crown lands were concerned, there was very little inducement to land-seekers either from the United Kingdom or other parts of the Empire to settle in this district, and thus the opportunity was being lost of attracting men possessed of some capital to take up unselected lands. The resumption of immigration from the Mother-country has emphasized this position, and new arrivals in the Dominion experience difficulty in securing suitable lands to settle on. There is thus a risk that experienced farmers and veterans of the war may be lost to the Dominion, and either of these types would prove excellent colonists. Selections during the Year. —The area of Crown land selected during the year may be grouped under the following heads : Freehold for cash and on deferred payment, 95 selectors, 1,059 acres ; selections by discharged soldiers, 226 selectors, 41,439 acres; selections by civilians (settlement tenures), 29 selectors, 13,368 acres ; miscellaneous leases, 44 selectors, 8,435 acres : totals, 394 selectors, 64,301 acres. The area comprised within the Auckland District is now 9,047,340 acres, and the number of tenants on the books at the close of the year was 4,669, occupying an area of 1,264,908 acres, and paying a rental of £97,728 per annum. The gross revenue of the district for the year was £208,844. The Freehold Tenure. —During the year an area of 55,206 acres was acquired under freehold tenure by 292 selectors, principally lessees holding leases with right of freehold. In addition to these, 73 other selectors commenced to acquire the freehold of 11,539 acres by deferred payments, these also consisting principally of the exercise of freehold rights under existing leases. The latter figures represent a considerable reduction from those for the previous period, due to the expiration of the period for acquisition of freehold of settlement lands held under lease in perpetuity. The acquisition of freeholds in the Native townships of Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, and Taumarunui, under the Native Townships Act, 1919, as well as the contemplated extension of freehold rights to lessees in the Rotorua and Te Aroha Townships, should lead to a considerable increase of transactions under this head for the coming year. Conditions and Progress of Settlement. —The dry winter and spring experienced in 1919, although highly advantageous to reclaimed swamp lands such as those on the Hauraki Plains, were very trying to dairy-farmers in other parts of the district, particularly the Waikato and King-country. Excellent rains in February, however, relieved the situation, and conditions during the latter part of the season were favourable. The development of the outlying districts, which had been almost at a standstill during the war, has recommenced with, the return of many of the men, although it is

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necessarily retarded by the high costs of fencing-wire, manures, and grass-seed, and the extreme difficulty of obtaining building-materials. There has been a fair influx of settlers from other provinces to the (comparatively) cheaper lands of the Auckland District, and these new settlers should materially assist in the development of the district. In various localities the high prices obtainable for dairying-land are causing private owners to subdivide their estates, and this, coupled with the fact that land purchased at high rates must be scientifically farmed to the best advantage to yield an adequate return on outlay, and that an improvement in the class of stock is correspondingly necessary, is a redeeming feature of a period of inflated values which would otherwise have little, to either commend or justify them. The general work of inspection of Crown leaseholds has, owing to the pressure on the ranging staff caused by the settlement of discharged soldiers, been largely in abeyance, except where circumstances enabled both to be carried out together. The resumption of occupation of their holdings by returned men has taken up the dropped threads of settlement work in many localities, and, generally speaking, the Crown tenants of the, district are in a prosperous condition and the conditions of the leases are being well fulfilled. On the Hauraki Plains marked progress is being made, and a, very large, amount of building is going on. Education Endowments. The total area of the endowment within the district is 72,502 acres, of which 39,509 acres are held under lease by 189 tenants at an annual rental of £2,798. Crown Lands for Future Selection... The estimated area of land available for future disposal in the district is about a million and a quarter acres. Of this, the larger proportion is comprised in the pumice, areas of the central region, for the development of which cheap manures and facilities for carriage of materials and produce are essential. Next in size are the largo areas of partially unexplored country-- a considerable proportion under forest- between Te Kuiti and Taumarunui. Exploration and subdivision surveys are being pushed on in this locality. A considerable area between the, Waikato River and the Hauraki Gulf is in an advanced stage of preparation for settlement, and areas of hill country of fair grazing quality are being prepared on the Coromandel Peninsula and eastward from Otorohanga, On the Hauraki Plains the unwatering of additional areas is being completed to enable them, to be placed on the market, and in the back portions of the Bay of Plenty surveys are proceeding. General. -Notwithstanding the division of the, district at the. commencement of the year, the, pressure of business under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act has been such that the, work of the staff has in no wise been lightened, and during practically the, whole of the, year the Land Board has met at fortnightly intervals. The work of the Crown Lands Rangers has been particularly arduous, and these officers have not spared themselves in their efforts to cope with it. The, continual attention necessary in dealing with the varied requirements of soldier settlers has proved the, necessity not only for adequate strengthening of this branch of the staffs but also for increased financial recognition, and the provision of up-to-date means of rapidly covering their extensive districts. The, Department is much indebted to these officers, as well as to the whole of the staff, for the manner in which the work has been carried on under trying circumstances. HAWKE'S BAY. (\Y. F. Marsh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Again a most unfavourable season has to be, chronicled in this district, There were no autumn rains, and consequently a very limited autumn growth, followed by a cold winter. This combined with a comparative absence of warm, spring rains, high winds, and an early summer, had a somewhat disastrious effect on all classes of the farming community. The, grazier experienced a shortage of feed and a faultiness in his wool-clip, and also suffered heavy cattle losses. The dairy-farmer was faced with a similar shortage offered for his herd, and most of the spring-sown crops were unsuccessful. The Hawke's Bay climate during the last two years has been of a most uncertain nature ; but in spite of all drawbacks there is no apparent feeling of depression amongst settlers, but a boundless faith in the wonderful recuperative powers of the district, and farmers are looking forward to the coming year for a complete reversal of what has been experienced during the, last two years. The country is remarkably free from weeds at present, and although bad times may come, the the man on the land looks to the, future with confidence. There is satisfactory evidence that further improvements are being effected on the more recently acquired selections, and the alarming price of timber, iron, wire, and posts has not stopped operations. Although it must be admitted that the values of improvements are in most cases proportionate to the cost of the materials, the broad fact remains that the works have been executed, There has been a steady demand by civilians for privately subdivided properties, and in such subdivisions it has been significant how little new reading has been carried out, every advantage being taken of subdividing on to formed county roads. This reading question is to-day a serious item in the cutting-up of well-managed grazing properties, carrying their maximum capacity, and there is very little room for expansion for the buyer if the heavy cost of roading and bridging is added to a price which represents the present earning-power of the land. Native-land purchases are on the wane in southern Hawke's Bay, and apparently are gradually becoming more difficult to effect in the northern portion, and the subsequent cutting-out of Crown interests is resulting in an awkward collection of unsymmotrioal holdings. The past year's work in all branches, and more especially as affecting the Discharged Soldiers Branch, has been unusually severe on the staff, and has taxed their energies to breaking-point. I. am pleased to be able to place on record my appreciation of the efforts of all officers concerned, who have vied in carrying out intelligently and expeditiously the many duties that fell to their lot.

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TARANAKI. (G.II. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lauds.) The past year opened rather badly, as feed did not come on well at the start; but the late summer and autumn in general were very good, although unusually wet, and the, milk returns recovered and kept up very well till late in the, season. The position in early spring was not so good in the northern part of the district for sheep-farming, as the weather was so rough during the lambing season that the losses were heavy among newly born lambs and old ewes, and percentages were not quite as good as usual. In the southern end of the district sheep and stock of all kinds have done very well. Fleeces have been rather lighter than usual. Late in the season fat stock was difficult to quit owing to the congestion in the meat-works through shortage of shipping. This has been rather against the farmers who have paid very high prices for land. Settlers occupying bush lands have, been handicapped by the very wet season preventing good burns, and many burns may have to be, left till next season. The turnip crops in the northern part of the district have been very good, and a much larger area than usual was sown. In the, southern end the turnip crops have not been very successful. Notwithstanding the, high cost of material and labour it is gratifying to note, that about 9,500 acres of bush have been felled by Crown settlers in the northern end of the district. The collection of cream from farms in the baokblocks by different companies is becoming very useful to holders of small sheep-farms with a little flat or easy land fit to run a few cows, by giving them a little money for current expenses to tide over the longer intervals between returns from ordinary grazing. Owing to shortage, of labour it has been difficult to keep noxious weeds in check ; but as farmers gain experience they are, evolving better methods of keeping blackberry down. High prices still continue to obtain for dairy-products, but the price of land seems to have soared even higher than these returns warrant. The high prices and spirit of land gambling have largely increased the number of land agents, already too numerous (in some cases returned soldiers and retired farmers have taken up this occupation), and their fees and the necessary stamp duties must represent a very large, tax on the farming community, owing to the frequency with which farms change hands. This also has the effect of taking energetic men from the, ranks of producers, who swell, the population in the, towns, and thus increase the housing problem. The price of dairy cows with a Jersey strain was for some little time influenced by demand from outside districts. Nearly all the rural lands opened have, been kept for selection by returned soldiers. The increased work caused by the rush of soldier applications under section 2 placed a very great strain on the office staff, and it was only by some, of the clerical staff (to whom my thanks are due) working overtime that demands were, met, and even then some of the ordinary work had to fall into arrears. It has also made it very difficult for us to meet promptly demands for returns, &o. The ruling prices for stock during the year have been Bullocks (fat), £14 to £16 10s, ; cows (fat), £10 to £12 ; bullocks (four years old), £10 to £12 ; bullocks (three years old), £8 to £9 ; steers (eighteen months), £5 to £6 ; dairy cows, £12 to £22 ; ordinary cows, £8 to £12 ; dairy heifers, £10 to £17 ; wethers (prime), £1 Bs. to £1. 1.45. ; wethers (medium), £1 to £1 Bs. ; ewes (prime; shorn), £1 6s. to £1 9s. ; breeding-ewes (four and six tooth), £1 3s. to £1 12s. Fat stock seems to have been higher in the northern than in the southern end of the district, and dairy stock lower in value. During the early part of the year, owing to shortage of Rangers, inspections fell a, little into arrear. About thirty allotments of rural Crown land in the southern end of the district will be placed on the market in the next few months, and a similar number in the northern end, beside the subdivisions of estates purchased under the Lands for Settlement Act. A number of bush sections were placed on the market, but only a few applications were received, and the returned soldier is not showing any very keen desire to take up unimproved land, although some offered was handy to railway communication. WELLINGTON. (G. IT. M. McClure, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Last autumn and winter were probably the worst experienced for many years, and a late spring followed which retarded dairying operations, but subsequently the weather was all that could be desired, and there has been ample feed over practically the, whole of the, district, with the exception, of parts of the Wairarapa, where the rainfall was not sufficient. In settlements such as Greystoke and Fairfield, where a good deal of cultivation is carried out, there have been good returns of oats, potatoes, and turnips. Good progress has been made during the, year with the construction of the, horse-tracks in the soldier settlements in the Whirinaki and Retaruke districts, and now practically every section has feasible access. As in the previous year, practically the whole of the transactions have been in lands set apart for discharged soldiers, the area dealt with being 39,574 acres. The area remaining and to be dealt with during the coming year is 16,083 acres for selection by discharged soldiers, and 186 acres for ordinary selection. The leases of thirty education endowments were renewed, the area affected being 7,239 acres, and the increase in rental being £2,259 1.55. 6d.

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An area of 224 acres 1 rood 37 perches forest land in Pencarrow and Belmont Survey Districts, at the back of Eastbourne Borough, was exchanged for 16 acres I rood 28 perches of Crown land near Ohakune, the former area being set apart for a public recreation-ground. The lease; of an area of 35 acres near Awapuni, Palmerston North, expired, and was subdivided into six allotments for lease by discharged soldiers. The education reserves in this district maintain a satisfactory condition, and where the lessees are not entitled to a perpetual renewal upon expiry the suitability or otherwise of the land for subdivision is closely inquired into. In the North Waimarino Improved-farm Settlement five settlers obtained their licenses, and there are now only four holding their sections under agreement. One, settler received advances of £142 towards building a dwelling and felling bush. The, Land Board held twelve ordinary meetings, and its sittings extended over thirty-seven days -the total number of items dealt with being 4,388. Two special meetings were held to conduct ballots for land set apart under the, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. Amongst other business the Board dealt with 536 transfers and subleases and 2,544 applications from discharged soldiers for purchase of dwellings and farms. MARLBOROUGH. (IT. J. Lowe, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) General.- -The drought experienced during the, early part of 1919 continued well into the, winter, which, fortunately for the stock, was one of tin; mildest on record. Although there was a severe flood over the whole district in September, by which considerable damage was done, especially in the southern portions, the dry spell practically lasted until the end of the year, since when many beneficial rains have occurred, making the pastoral lands look better than for many years past, thereby encouraging the landowners to still further increase their demands for high prices, and incidentaly tending to raise the local price of stock, which now through the whole district looks remarkably well. . The unusually heavy rains in January and February had a bad effect upon the seed crops, for which Marlborough is noted, enabling the lucky ones, however, to reap abnormal profits. Owing to flood mentioned above, there is still necessity for the construction of further groynes for protection of bridge approaches and. settlers' homestead fiats, more, especially upon tin; Clarence and Hapuka Rivers. Cropping. —l regret to say that very little wheat was grown, the, settlers finding it far more, profitable, to grow oats and barley, which realized high prices. The pea crop was well up to the average, and oats and barley yielded well. Many settlers were enabled to reap as many as five crops of hay off their lucerne-paddocks, but, as mentioned above, tin; lucerne-seed crop was a failure. Dairying Industry.- -This industry continues to grow and command good prices, but the drought of last season sent the herds in the winter so poor that they did not recover until the end of the year. They are now, however, in good form, and bid fair to be very profitable next season. Pastoral Runs. —Two pastoral runs, containing 90,000 acres, were auctioned during the year, while, another was renewed in three parts. Small Grazing-runs. —Twelve small grazing-runs in the Kaikoura district, and. three in the Wairau district, were reassessed and relet to tire original lessees, the rent in one case being finally fixed by arbitration. Education Endowments. There is no demand for leases of a few town sections, but most of these have now been let temporarily from year to year. All the areas suitable for farming are held under permanent leases. Land Board. —The Land Board held twelve ordinary meetings and also special meetings. The business, owing to soldier settlement and a keen desire to transfer holdings, about trebled, meetings usually lasting two days, instead of barely one as heretofore. To further assist the Board a Superintendent of Soldier Settlements was appointed for the combined Marlborough-Nelson District. The terms of Messrs. A. McCallum and J. Boyd expired, and both were reappointed. The only Crown lands available for opening are three sections situated, in the Opouri, Tinline, and Wakamarina Valleys, and one in. the Wither Settlement; but in. the early part of the coming season we hope to ballot for and settle the Moorlands, Alberton, Neville, Linkwaterdale, and Goat Hills Blocks, and other estates now under offer or to be offend. Flax Industry. —This industry still continues to flourish in. a small way. Mining Industry. —Very ittlo has been done during the year, but work is still continued at the sohoelite-mine in Upper Wakamarina Valley. There are also several gold ventures in the Upper Wairau Valley, while a coal-mine is again being sought for in Picton. Limeworks. —Limeworks have been previously established near Ward and Kaikoura, while another is proposed at Wharanui. The one at Ward is still working, but the Kaikoura one is shut down temporarily owing to prohibitive freight charges and cost of labour. The completion of the railway should, assist these ventures. NELSON. (H. D. MoKbllar, Commissioner of Crown. Lands.) General. —The outstanding feature of the past year's operations was the abnormal number of applications received for advances to purchase stock and improved land by discharged soldiers, particulars of which are voted under a special heading further on. Transactions, however, connected

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with ordinary tenures remained stationary, probably due to the fact that land at present open for selection is either of inferior quality or is difficult of access. The balance of land suitable for offering on subdivision is, generally speaking, remote from present settlement, but so soon as the pressing requirements of the men who have returned from, the front have been disposed of an opportunity of submitting a scheme, of roading it will be presented, and after this is carried out these areas, at present in their virgin state and unproductive, will be, placed in the market with a view to settlement. During 1919 the rainfall was below that experienced for many years past, resulting in a shortage of food and a lowering in the percentage of lambing over the greater portion of the district. This unfortunate condition was somewhat compensated for by increased prices for agricultural and pastoral products. Since the beginning of 1920 the rainfall has been quite above normal, thus auguring well for good returns up to the end of the current financial year. With the present satisfactory prices ruling, and the possibility of an upward tendency in many lines, future prospects are as promising as they have ever been to settlers engaged in every description of farming. Notwithstanding the difficulty of obtaining labour and its cost, it is pleasing to note that settlers as a whole are making good headway in. developing their holdings, and although the greater portion of the land hero consists of bush, those who have selected it show considerable enterprise in awaiting the same results that can be obtained from cleared country. No doubt the cheaper rate at which such land is available induces selectors to await the increased returns that must follow clearing and cultivation. Land Board. — Twelve ordinary and five special meetings have been held, the latter being necessary to cope with increase of business, for which reason also the ordinary meetings have recently been extended to four days. Mr. W. 0. Baigent was reappointed as a member of the Board, and Mr. R. Patterson was re-elected to a similar position by the Crown land selectors during the year. I might incidentally mention that every care has been taken to prevent land-aggregation. This safeguard has been applied in all cases of transfers, 167 transactions of which were passed by the Board. Revenue and Accounts. —The total revenue received for 1919-20 was £48,972, an increase over the prior year of £15,660. Other items under this heading are : Receipts issued, 4,711 ; vouchers prepared, 969; amount advanced to discharged soldiers, £394,261. ; rent notices issued, 6,956. Office-work. —Consequent upon the increase in work imposed upon the office staff its members have been increased, mostly \>y cadets or juniors from, another Department. As the latter have been employed upon a class of work quite different from what is now required of them, some time must lapse before they can be expected to give the same results as those of equal service who have been specially trained in the duties of our Department. Generally, I have to thank the, officers for their co-operation, resulting in all demands made upon the office being successfully disposed of. WESTLAND. (R. Galbraith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The weather conditions during spring and early summer of the past year were unfavourable, being cold and wet, and everything was consequently backward ; but from December on fair and warm weather was experienced, feed was plentiful, and. good crops of meadow and oaten hay were obtained, assuring sufficient winter feed. Other crops, such as turnips, potatoes, carrots, &c, have piovcd fairly successful. Crops are, as a rule, used by the growers themselves and are not exported. Grass has been plentiful, and the farmers have had a prosperous year. Butter and cheese factories have been kept going, and their produce has been in great demand. In the southern portion of the district settlers who have still areas of light bush to fell after burning sow turnips with the grass-seed, and these with hay keep the stock going all winter. Further north these turnip-paddocks are used to top off fat cattle for the local and Canterbury markets. Large droves of cattle, sheep, and lambs sent over the range to the freezing-works at Christchurch have brought high prices—bullocks up to £26, sheep £2, and lambs to £1 10s. per head. Buyers from Otago have been also lately taking a lot of stock from South. Westland, driving them over the Haast Pass ; and these exports will tend to make stock scarce on the West Coast and raise prices accordingly. Many settlers are going in for more cultivation than formerly, and arc breaking up old pastures and resowing them ; and altogether there are signs that more up-to-date methods of farming are coming in on the Coast. Owing to the decline in the price of flax, three mills out of five have been closed down during most of the year, and the others will shortly be closing for the winter. The season has therefore not been a satisfactory one, for flax-millers. The only two settlements in Westland are, Kokatahi and Poerua. Both are old-established ones, chiefly engaged in dairying. The farms are now highly improved and settlers are all prosperous. The limeworks at Ross are turning out very good lime, but the price at which the burnt lime can be sold is still high. The company is installing a crusher, which it is hoped will enable it to sell the lime much cheaper and increase the output. From other districts a number of intending purchasers of land in Westland have been inquiring for and inspecting properties during the past year, but not many with capital speculated, probably on account of the climate and also of the inflated prices placed on the land by sellers. Discharged soldiers from all parts of the Dominion also visited, the district, and some secured options over farming-lands through agents. In many cases, however, neither buyers nor sellers seem

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to discriminate between leasehold and freehold tenures, and prices are asked and obtained for leasehold without any consideration of the Crown's interest in the, land or of the rent or the terms of the, lease, almost any leasehold tenure being dealt with and looked upon as though the land were freehold. This often caused disappointment to applicants for advances. As a whole the district is steadily progressing, and at the present high prices for produce of all kinds the farmers have a bright outlook. A large amount of foreign capital is being brought into the district by gold-mining syndicates. One in particular from' America intends spending very considerable amounts in machinery, &c, principally for dredging on the Rimu Flat, near Hokitika. I understand dredges arc to be worked by electricity generated by water-power. The demand for timber is also giving increased prosperity. CANTERBURY. (H. D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Conditions and Progress oj Settlement. —During the past year the progress of settlement in the district has been confined almost entirely to placing returned soldiers on the land, either by ballot for leasehold land or by advances to enable them to purchase properties selected by themselves. The year has been a favourable one for the farmer. Cereals of all sorts were particularly good, and rape and turnips better than they have been for years. The long severe winter caused considerable anxiety to farmers, and it was well into summer before stock recovered from the effects, but the summer and autumn having been most favourable, for grain, roots, and pasture, the successful wintering of stock is assured for this year. Number of Tenants, &c. —The total number of Crown tenants on the books on the 31st March, 1920, was 3,945, occupying an area of 4,215,153 acres, and paying a rental of £270,89f per annum. The total revenue received was £315,912, being £48,844 in excess of the amount for the previous year. Freehold Tenure. —During the year thirty-one selections, comprising 3,178 acres, were alienated under freehold tenure. In addition to these, deferred-payment licenses were issued over eight holdings, comprising 7,028 acres. Education Reserves. —The total area of primary and secondary endowments in the district at the close of the year was 71,205 acres, which was occupied by 231 lessees, paying a rental of £28,225 per annum. General. —The business dealt with by the Land Board during the year, principally in connection with the settlement of soldiers upon the land, has been very heavy, and the thanks of the Department are due to the members for their unitiring services. The Board held twenty-eight meetings, sitting altogether sixty-five days, which constitutes a record; and, as I am also Chairman ex officio of six other Boards, my time has been very fully occupied, and it is difficult to keep pace with the ordinary administration of a large district. There were 545 applications to transfer dealt with, of which twenty-seven were refused. The Board dealt with 2,247 applications under section 2, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1917, the amount applied for being £2,573,640, over an area of approximately 147,485 acres. The actual amount recommended by the Board was £1,877,018. OTAGO. (Robt. T. Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The, outstanding features of the land administration has been the settlement of discharged soldiers on the land—in. fact, all new work has been of this description. Practically no land has been made, available for the general public except some small areas not sufficient for a living for a discharged soldier; the only operations in general administration have therefore been the transfer of Crown leases. Taking Otago as a whole, the past season cannot be said to have been good. The Catlin's district has fared better than most parts. There the root crops have been good, and this remark applies also to grass. Very little cereal cropping is done in this locality. Around Heriot the cereal and root crops alike have been very fair and quite up to the average production of this fertile- portion of Otago. In Central Otago the season has been unfavourable. In North Otago the cereal crops have- ranged from fair to very good, while the root crops have been poor. Stock generally has maintained a high, market price. Farmers' requisites —implements, fencing and building material —have been very dea.r, and there is no apparent sign of prices coming down. Working-horses, too, are at a very high price at present, the clay when these can be displaced by machinery not having arrived yet. The, three products, oats, chaff, and barley especially, have commanded very remunerative prices, and settlers who have had good crops have done very well. Through pressure of work connected with settlement of discharged soldiers the Rangers have not been able to make their periodical inspections of ordinary and settlement holdings, but as very few complaints have been received it may be assumed that tenants generally are well satisfied with their holdings and prospects. I wish to express my appreciation of the loyal and zealous assistance I have received from my staff throughout a year that has been particularly strenuous,

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SOUTHLAND. (Thomas Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Twelve months ago there was much anxie'y in Southland owing to the failure of the turnip crop, but an open winter enabled farmers to carry on with little loss of stock. The season now drawing to a close has not been a particularly good one for dairying, the output having been materially affected by the cold winds and rain which prevailed from early spring until the middle of December. The turnip crop for the coming winter gave early promise of a record yield, and although a period of drought caused a partial failure in some of the drier parts there has been a good recovery and the yield in most parts of the district will be fair. Stock generally are in good condition to face the winter. Grain crops were short in the straw but well filled, and grass-seed has yielded exceptionally well. Draught horses are in good demand at greatly increased prices, and this indicates that a considerable area of land will be brought under cultivation during the, coming season. Rabbits arc still numerous in most parts of the district, notwithstanding the war waged upon them while skins were in demand at high prices. The weight of opinion appears to be, in favour of systematic poisoning as being the only effective remedy for this pest. The Southland electrification scheme is now under way. The poll authorizing the raising of a loan was carried by a very large majority, and the Power Board has already commenced the work of development. The aim and object is to bring the current into every settled locality and to offer every facility for farmers to employ it in their homes and on their farms. It will undoubtedly play a very important part in the future development of Southland.

APPENDIX lI.—LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT. EXTRACTS FROM RKPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. NORTH AUCKLAND. (R. P. Greville, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There have been twenty-two estates acquired in this district under the Lands for Settlement Act, comprising an area of 31,856 acres subdivided into 898 sections. Of these the Waimata, Remuera, Te Pua, and Puketc Settlements were disposed of during the year to discharged soldiers. Each of these settlements gives indications of being highly successful. The soldiers are putting considerable energy into their work and will surely make good. The matter of providing satisfactory road access to the recent settlements has not been lost sight of, but, owing to the difficulty of obtaining labour, little progress has been made, Frequent attempts have been made to get a road constructed through, the Pakaraka Settlement, and eventually the work was offered to the soldier settlers living close by, but so far the work has not been let. However, most of the Pakaraka settlers are well off for road access, having frontage, to a main metalled road, while others fronting the internal road can get to their sections without difficulty. In regard to the Waimata Settlement, there is an existing clay road which gives fairly good access at present, but the existing road has not been located in the proper position, and a new road has been laid out along higher ground which will be very much more satisfactory. The, work of construction of this road is to be put in hand in the early spring. The Remuera settlers had from the inception of the settlement fairly good access to their sections. The making of the internal roads is to be undertaken during the coming winter by the soldier settlers, who are keen on getting work to do at their own doors. On the older settlements of Streamlands and Waiteitei most of the soldiers are using their best endeavours to make good. Much of the Streamlands Block consists of swamp land with peat on the surface and with a stiff, heavy clay sub-soil. A main outfall drain with branch drains on each section boundary had been cut prior to the, sections being disposed of. There was little or no grass on these swamp lands, and the soldiers have had rather an uphill fight. However, the swamp is becoming consolidated and is gradually being put into grass. It will eventually be excellent dairy land. The old-established Bickerstaffe Settlement has been very successful. Many of the sections haverecently changed hands at a high consideration. Other lands being prepared for settlement are the, Koremoa Estate, near Dargaville, together with a block of 2,500 acres of Crown land adjoining, the whole block containing 2,749 acres, being subdivided into twenty-two sections. This area is to be, balloted for in June, and should prove a very successful settlement, There is also the Puni Block, of 1,280 acres, situated near Pukekohe. There are, seventeen sections in this block. It is to be disposed of by ballot in August. Twenty-seven sections in the Waari Hamlet, situated on the Helensville Railway-line, eight miles from Auckland, and subdivided into areas of about 6 acres, will be disposed of in August. These sections, being so near Auckland City, are very suitable for small holdings, and could be utilized for either fruitgrowing or poultry-farming. The locality is suitable, for homes for men employed in Auckland City. During the year 224 properties, comprising a total area of 326,781 acres, in this district have been offered to the Government for purchase for settlement of discharged soldiers, and the Land Purchase Board which was specially set up for this purpose have been kept busy throughout the year.

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AUCKLAND. (H. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The only new estates purchased during the year have been dealt with under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, and will be referred to in that report. The old-established settlements have, on the whole, experienced a year of great prosperity, nearly all of them being engaged principally in dairying, with excellent returns. In a number of the settlements, especially Matamata and Selwyn, a fair amount of subdivision has taken place, and holdings in these settlements have changed hands at high prices. HAWKE'S BAY. (W. F. Marsh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The three following new settlements opened during the year were offered for discharged soldiers only, and are referred to under that heading : Corby Settlement, 911 acres ; Te Kura Settlement, 1,136 acres ; Beattie Settlement, 3,863 acres. There are now thirty-six settlements established in this district, and of these five settlements are held by discharged soldiers. Reference to the general condition of most of the old-established settlements (thirty-one in number) is hardly necessary, as the majority have long since overcome their initial difficulties, and as a result of the high prices that have ruled, for some time past are doing well. TARANAKI. (G. H. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The old-established settlements are all doing well, and holders could get large goodwills for their interests. WELLINGTON. G. H. M. MoClure, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Eight estates were acquired for the purpose of dischargcd-soldier settlement, and those disposed of comprise the following, viz. : Pihautea, 27 sections, 1,946 acres : Cloverlea, 18 sections, 284 acres ; Taumaihi, 4 sections, 18 acres ; Oturoa, 7 sections, 728 acres ; Kairanga, 12 sections, 384 acres ; Eaglesham, 6 sections, 1,383 acres. The other estates acquired which have not yet been offered are —Akitio, 6 sections, 3,523 acres ; and Tuturumuri, 11 sections, 6,162 acres : these will be offered in May. All the estates acquired in former years are in a satisfactory condition. MARLBOROUGH. (H. J. Lowe, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates have been opened for settlement during the year, but the existing ones have been sharing very materially in the general prosperity of the district, as evidenced by the keen desire to transfer at very substantial goodwills, no doubt encouraged by soldier settlement. The total number of settlements at the end of the year was fifteen, comprising 219,441 acres, and occupied by 474 lessees, paying a rental of £33,147 7s. lid. per annum. The settlers are continuing to succeed with lucerne, which bids fair to revolutionize the value of some of the poorer lands. The prices realized for stock, wool, and dairy-produce were good. Four new settlements are being got ready for ballot early in the coming year, and others are being procured by the new local Land Purchase Board. NELSON. (H. D. McKellar, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) In addition to the six settlements previously thrown open for selection in this district—namely, Wangapeka, Bracburn, Lake, Walker, Palmer, and Spittal—the Golden Downs Estate was acquired and submitted to public competition during the year. It was set apart solely for discharged soldiers, in three lots, each of which was selected. The settlers on Bracburn and Wangapeka, established years ago, are doing very well. The other settlements, more recently disposed of, are being developed in a satisfactory manner, excepting Spittal, and excluding Golden Downs Settlement, which was only dealt with in March last. The whole of the land so far acquired for settlement is pastoral country, principally suitable for grazing, but in part for dairying and cropping purposes.

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WESTLAND. (R. Galbraith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There are only two- estates settled in this district. The principal industry is dairying, and all the settlers are doing well. CANTERBURY. (H. D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The total number of estates settled in this district is now 132, comprising an area of 564,744 acres ; annual rent, £153,771. The majority of the settlements are well-established, and prosperous. Settlers on dairyingland particularly have had a very successful year, and the state of the, settlements as a whole is most satisfactory notwithstanding the- high cost of fencing and building material, &c. OTAGO. Robert T. Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Generally the older-established settlements are in a satisfactory condition, and owing to the high prices of produce of all descriptions these settlers are in a good position. All the lands acquired under this heading are now for the settlement of discharged soldiers. In addition to Teviot, the settlement of which has been held over pending the construction of the necessary access roads, the purchase has been concluded of the adjoining estate (Hill Springs), 9,820 acres, the survey and roading of which are now in progress. There arc 50,000 acres of pastoral Crown lands in natural grasses adjoining these two estates which are being subdivided to form back country for some of the holdings. The Teviot Settlement, with 20,000 acres of this pastoral land, is being prepared for offering next autumn. The following estates —viz., Arnmore, Glenn, Tilverstowe, and Pukenui Settlements —in North Otago, containing 4,975 acres in twenty-one farms, have been acquired and prepared for offering during the next few months. Wairuna Settlement, 9,158 acres, in seventeen subdivisions, has also been acquired and prepared for the ballot. More recently the Dalmain Estate, of nearly 2,000 acres, near Ettrick, has been purchased to form homestead-sites for the back country on the Moa Flat Downs Runs ; also Kirkland's Estate (Poplar Grove), adjoining Gladbrook Settlement and Middlemarch Township, 1,363 acres, already subdivided into twenty-four farms suitable for mixed farming or dairying. Negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of the Ormaglade Estate, consisting of 7,100 acres of freehold and 4,945 acres of Crown leasehold. This freehold will provide homestead-sites and winter country for the back summer country of the Beaumont Runs. SOUTHLAND. Thomas Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands. There are now twenty-one settlements in this district, and during the next year two more will be ready for disposal—one in the Otautau district being suitable for dairy farms, and the other being small suburban building-sites at Waikiwi, adjacent to Invercargill. During the year Allenby, Teihoka, and Campbell Settlements were- opened for selection by discharged soldiers, and all the sections have been disposed of. The settlers have- made a good start on their new holdings and should do well. The older settlements, with one or two exceptions, are in a prosperous condition, and taken as a whole the position of the several settlements in this district must be regarded as very satisfactory.

APPENDIX lII.—LAND-DRAINAGE OPERATIONS. (J. B. Thompson, Chief Drainage, Engineer.) During the past year the Land Drainage Branch has been actively engaged in drainage and kindred operations. The work has greatly increased, and the operations of this branch are now far-reaching— extending as they do from Kaitaia in the extreme north to Invercargill in the south. Separate, reports —as required by the Acts under which they are administered —have been made on the Hauraki Plains, Rangitaiki Plains, Kaitaia, Waihi, Poukawa, and Hikurangi reclamation areas. During the year the Hikurangi area was proclaimed under the, Swamp Drainage Act. Special inspections and reports over a wide area have been made, including Russell Swamp, Upper and Lower Kawakawa Swamp, Awanui River, Whakaki Swamp, Harihari and La Fontaine, Swamp, Orongo, Tokatoka, and

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Waikare Swamps, and many others too numerous to mention. Works done by local bodies out of grants and subsidies for river, drainage, and road works have been inspected, plans and specifications for such works having previously been examined and approved. Vouchers totalling £2,216 3s. 3d. were passed for payment to the various local authorities. Hereunder is a short report on. works that have, been carried out under the, direction of the branch :— Awaiti-Netherton Road (Metalling) .—To date 49 chains have been completed, the- metal being delivered from the Spit by scow and carted from Netherton on to the road. Good work has been done. Expenditure was £648 Is. lOd. Awaiti Block (Outfall for). —This work consisted of widening and deepening the outfall on the area outside Hauraki Plains area. Only maintenance will be necessary in future. Expenditure was £218 Bs. 7d. Lake St. George Outfall, Southland. -Investigations and engineering surveys were carried out with a view to providing adequate drainage of swamp lands adjacent to this lake. The work was not commenced until January, owing to shortage of engineering staff. Some 9 miles of levels were taken and 7 miles of traverses run. ft was decided finally to advocate the improvement of the old channel. Cost of work to date was £88 17s. 3d. Hauraki Plains (Metalling Roads in). —This work has been fully reported on in main Hauraki Plains report. A considerable amount of plant has been procured during the year, including two tractors, and this should faci'itate and cheapen the work in future. Some- 4 miles 18 chains of metalling has been done and 21 chains gravelled. Expenditure was £8,388 Os. 2d. Hauraki Plains (Maintenance of Completed Works, Drains, &c.). —This is a rapidly increasing item, some 205 miles of drains having been cleaned during the period, and next year there will be an extra 80 miles of drains to maintain. In addition repairs to stop-banks have been executed. Expenditure, was £4,797 15s. sd. Hauraki Plains (Construction of Roads and Drains on Crown Lands adjoining). —The work done was principally the construction of Puketotara deviation road, and also for roads in Waitakaruru Loan Block. Expenditure was £686 2s. Hauraki Plains (Part Cost Formation Road from Waikaka to Piako River to give Access to Crown Settlers outside Hauraki Plains). —The work done consisted of the re-laying and ballasting of the. Patetonga tram-line, leading from Piako River to Patetonga Township, some 140 chains having been done. Expenditure was £671. 3s. lOd. Hauraki Plains (Orchard East Road Extension). —The formation of this road was completed during the year, a total distance of 1 mile 61 chains. Expenditure was £211 10s. Kopu Ferry Road (Formation and Metalling). —This road was completed during the year, a distance of 1 mile 20 chains. Expenditure was £273 Bs. Lees Valley. —Our undertaking was to construct main outfalls but not to go in for intensive drainage. Excellent results are following our operations, and stock are now all over the drained country, fully prov.ng the necessity of the work. All the work contemplated should be completed within a few weeks. Some 7 miles 53 chains of main drains have- been, completed during the year, leaving 10 chains more to complete. The total length of drains now in operation is 11 miles 33 chains. In addition fo rteen diversions of Duck Creek have been made, totalling 96 chains. Great improvement has res dtod through this straightening of Duck Creek, reducing flooding to a minimum. Total amount of excavation of all descriptions for the year was 43,209 cubic yards, through peat, clay, and shingle' Some eight ford-crossings through drains were also made. The expenditure for the year under all headings amounted to £4,103 16s. 3d. Matata Water-supply. —This scheme has been carried out, and the service is now ready for use, with the exception of a line of pipes to the far Maori pa, which has yet to be laid. A line of wooden piping was laid from the post-office at the corner of Clarke and Arawa Streets, along Arawa Street, and St. John's Street, thence along Pollen Street and through Section 1 to the Waitepuru Stream, and so along the course of the, stream for some 40 chains to the dam-site and intake. Owing to the, liability of this stream to rise very suddenly considerable work had to be done up the gorge in making a definite channel in which to confine- the stream. A good job was made of this; also of the dam, which is a very solid piece of work. Branch lines were run down Pakeha Street to the corner of Mair Street, and down Wilson Street and Mair Street to the corner of Heale Street. Two branches were also run out on the eastern side of Pollen Street, one to the first Maori pa and the other to a collec. ion of Maori whares. Patent connections were left opposite all dwellings, and connections for hydrants were left in four places. Valves were inserted in various places, so that branches may be cut off at any ime, and sluice-valves also placed where necessary. Stand-pipes with taps for public use were erected at the corner of Nesbitt and Mair Streets and on each of the branches on the east side of Pollen Street. The pressure of water through these taps was most satisfactory. An area of approximately 300 acres, embracing the watershed of the Waitepuru Stream, has been surveyed and reserved with a view to protecting the brush and timber on the sides of the watershed. The expenditure on this work was £1,528 17s. sd. Orongo Estate Works. —This estate, comprising approximately 2,100 acres, was purchased from Messrs. Newsham and Blomfield for returned soldiers settlement purposes in September last. A large portion of the area is below spring-tide level, and when taken over was in a very rough and neglected condition. Six or seven hundred acres was in rough feed, a similar area was overrun with tall fescue, and the balance was covered with salt water, weed , and rushes. Reclamation work was commenced at the end of December last, and with plenty of good labour available has progressed rapidly. The main work of stop-banking round the foreshore was let in sections, and is now well on towards completion. Of the three concrete flood-gates necessary, one was completed a few days back

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and is acting splendidly ; material for the remaining two is on the ground. To connect up stop-bank three small creeks were timbered and filled in, and after a little trouble with the largest all three are holding well. One large creek still remains to be dammed. Contracts were let for several internal drains and for sections of the main-road drains late in the year, although much of the country here will be too hard for economical working till the winter sets in. In all 220 chains of stop-bank in conjunction with drain construction and 90 chains of internal drains have been completed to date. Ploughing operations for the eradication of fescue, of which there is a prolific growth on a portion of the area, were commenced towards the end of January. For this purpose two tractors were procured, and are admirably suited for the work. To date an area of approximately 70 acres has been ploughed. The beneficial effect of the drainage work already effected is noticeable in that several areas which were mere bogs are with the tide water excluded fast becoming fit for the tractor and plough. Total expenditure to date is £3,175 10s. Id. Opouriao Protective Works (to prevent encroachment of Whakaiane and Waimana Rivers) .- During the year a great amount of widowing has been done, at various points in the Opouriao district, in several instances the settlers themselves did the- work, consequently greater interest has been taken and in many instances a really good job done. The groyne put in at Webster's was partly washed away, but was reconstructed. A bad bend near this groyne that was subject to washouts has been improved owing to rapid growth of willows. The expenditure during the, year was £1,f50 2s. 2d. Piako and Waitoa Rivers Improvement. —This work comprised dredging the river and cutting off awkward bends. The expenditure was £826 J ss. Rangitaiki Drainage District (General Road-construction). —Work in connection with this vote has been chiefly repair work owing to damage done by floods. The crossing over the old Rangitaiki River bed was raised some 2 ft., as floods came very close to the top of the old road. During a flood the Rangitaiki East Bank Road washed out opposite Sections 58 and 55, Matata Parish, but the damage was soon repaired and the, road reopened for traffic. Expenditure during the year was £183 14s. sd. Rangitaiki Drainage (Bank-protection, Tarawera River, at Te Teko). —This work mainly consisted of patching and strengthening existing works. During the year several floods were experienced, damaging stop-banks at various places. These were repaired, and other weakened spots built up. In order to prevent damage, by cattle a three-wire fence was erected along a considerable length of bank, occasional openings being left in order to give cattle access to the water. In these openings the bank was built higher to allow for cattle trampling it down. Expenditure during the year was £325 Bs. sd. Rangitaiki Drainage District (Railway Road). —The Main East Coast Road has been formed and thrown open for traffic from Awaiti Road to the Rangitaiki River, and a gang of labourers is now working on the formation from Awakaponga drain to Tarawera River. This portion is soft and wet, and will require a great amount of sand-filling in order to secure, a solid foundation. As the Public Works Department has a ballast-train working on railway alongside, arrangements are being made for them to provide the spoil for filling. From the Rangitaiki River eastwards drains have been cut on both sides of road for a distance of 57 chains and the spoil thrown into the centre. Fencing has been completed from Tarawera River to Rangitaiki River and from western drain to Awakeri. The remainder will be done as soon as necessary material is available. Expenditure for the year was £2,512 17s. 7d. Seaward-Moss-Awarua Swamp. —Engineering (field) was started towards end of period, and to date some 6 miles of traversing and 3 miles of levelling have been done. Cost of work to date is £14 Is. lid. Oraka Stream, Southland. —Some 2 miles of levels and 2 miles of traverse were run in connection with the possible diversion of the stream. It was finally decided to recommend the improvement of the existing stream owing to the great difficulty in kcepiing open any new mouth. Tokatoka, No. 3 Additional Loan Block. —These works comprise the reclaiming of some 1,625 acres (twenty-four sections) of Crown land in Block XII, Tokatoka Survey District—a portion of the Raupo Swamp —which was set aside for a returned soldiers' settlement. Operations in connection with the preparing of this area for settlement were commenced in May of last year. The drainage work was carried out on the small-contract system by men provided by the Alien Service Branch of the Labour Department. These men, principally Jugo-Slavs, are first-class spademen, and, though somewhat disturbed at being called up, soon settled down and gave excellent service in every way. This area is periodically swept by flood-water from the higher back country, and will continue to be so until the main catch-waters now under construction by the Raupo Drainage- Board are completed. In all, 10 miles of new drains were constructed and 3 miles of old drains have been widened and deepened. Road operations are now in progress, and include the formation of some 3| miles of new roads and li miles of road already partially formed. This work will be completed shortly. Metal for approximately 3 miles of these roads has been landed on the river-bank, and arrangements have been made to have same delivered and spread. A start has been made with the sinking of bores to provide water for stock. Four wells have- already been sunk, but the water is in places of questionable quality. This will probably improve with pumping, and experiments in this direction are now being made, It is hoped to sink one well on each section. An area of 500 acres at the northern end of the block was resubdivided to bring it into line with a practical scheme of roading. The expenditure to date has been £8,402 19s.- 6d. Tarawera Bridge and River-bank Protection. —Repair work has been carried out all along the Tarawera River stop-banks, necessitating in some places practically new stop-banks being erected. " Wattling " work was carried out on the west bank of Tarawera outlet, which was falling and endangering the wharf and two goods-sheds. This bank is now holding well in spite of the heavy seas which occasionally run in the, outlet. Expenditure during the year was £1,025 18s. Id.

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Lake Waikare. —This work has been undertaken so as to ascertain the possibility of lowering the permanent level of Lake Waikare and so benefitting the adjoining low-lying country. Operations were commenced in September and the survey is well in hand. The lake, comprising an area of approximately 5,000 acres, has been thoroughly sounded throughout so that the effect of any lowering can be accurately forecasted. The proposed canal route, from the north-eastern corner of the lake to Whangamarino Stream (a distance of 5 miles) has been located and surveyed. To the north and south of the lake the adjoining swamp areas have been defined mainly by magnetic survey. Levels for the location of stop-bank have been taken along the Waikato River from Rangiriri to the pumicereducing works. A theodolite survey has been made of the, western edge of lake for a distance of 5J miles. During the period the following work has been done :20 miles levelling, 10| miles theodolite traverse, and 9 miles magnetic traverse. The actual field-work should be completed soon, and plans, &c, will be thereafter prepared. The expenditure during the year was £379 15s. 6d. Waimana Protective Works.- At Waimana the work carried out consisted of scooping bad bends with a view to diverting the river to its original course. Willowing has been found a most effective way of dealing with bank-erosion, because if the willows arc properly laid down and. a proper growth takes place the work gives the best possible result. Several groynes vvere erected, and in one instance a bank was widened and lengthened to divert the river, and, judging by its present appearance, will give the desired result. In several instances settlers have done the willowing, and this method of carrying out the work has proved most satisfactory. The expenditure for the year was £1,591 ss. lOd". Whangamarino Swamp. —The field-work for this work was undertaken in February, but the party was shifted on to more urgent work before the job was completed. Some 6 miles of line was cut and levelled, and in addition the watersheds of the Whangamarino and Maramarua Rivers and Waikare Lake were fixed. The expenditure during the year was £59 os. 2d. Waitakaruru Stream Improvements- -This work has comprised cutting a new canal and forming road-banks on either side. The- work is practically complete, and will effect a great improvement in the surrounding district. The total distance is 2 miles 60 chains. Expenditure- during the year was £980 Is. Waitaka.ruru-Pokeno Road. —The work done chiefly comprised easing grades and making through cuttings. Expenditure during the year was £246 16s. 9d. Reparoa Settlement. —An inspection was made in November and an estimate- given for improving the drainage of the above settlement, but it was late in March before any work was commenced. A party is now engaged on the engineering survey, and contracts for draining are in course of preparation. In addition to draining, the road-formation is to be undertaken, and plant for that purpose is now being acquired. Owing to the isolated position of this settlement it is anticipated that difficulty will be experienced in procuring labour at the rates now ruling. General. —The, following particulars show the principal works carried out in the various localities during the year : — Cleaning drains ... ... ... ... ... 273 miles 42 chains. Widening drains ... ... ... ... ... 160 „ 66 „ Constructing new drains ... ... ... ... 150 „ 39 „ Reforming roads ... ... ... ... ... 11 „ 60 „ New roads ... ... ... ... ... 23 „ 63 Disking roads ... ... ... ... ... 8 „ 40 „ Gravelling roads ... ... ... ... ... 0 „ 16 „ Regravelling Roads ... ... ... ... 1 „ 10 „ Metalling roads ... ... ... ... ... 4 „ 18 „ Fencing roads ... .. ... ... ... 10 „ 41 ~ New stop-banks ... ... ... ... ... 6 „ 54 „ Repairing stop-banks ... ... ... ... 2 „ 55 „ Levels taken ... ... ... ... ... 255 „ 0 „ Artesian wells sunk ... ... ... 23 (number). Flood-gates built ... ... ... ... ... 12 „ Concrete and earthenware culverts built ... ... 69 „ Creek-diversionS ... ... ... ... ... 14 „ Pile bridges ... ... ... ... ... 2 „ Sill bridges ... ... ... ... ... 5 Sleepers ... ... ... ... ... ...3,700 Metal for roads ... ... ... ... 12,078 cubic yards. Facines ... ... ... ... ... ... 7,440 bundles. Spoil dredged ... ... ... ... 380,432 cubic yards. Office. —The total expenditure certified for payment during the year was £2f8,935 13s. 9d., an increase of £111,532 19s. lod. over the expenditure for the preceding twelve months. Direct Treasury payments amounted to £44,931 lis. Id., and payments through Post Office to £921 os. lOd. The, amount of £162,736 25., representing wages, piecework contracts, &c, was paid out of the Thames, Whakatane, and Kaitaia Imprests. The amount of £1,219 6s. 4d. was collected by the branch for various services exclusive of rates. Some 576 piecework contracts were let during the year. A total of 3,574 vouchers were prepared and passed through the books, an increase of 1,281 over last year's figures. Inward correspondence numbered 4,722, outward 5,026. Collection of Rates. —On the Ist October, 1919, the collection of rates levied over the lands in the Hauraki and Rangitaiki Special-rating Districts was placed under the control of this branch. This departure is in the best interests of the Department, and the work in connection with the collection

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can be performed more advantageously in this office, The amount of rates received since the Ist October was —Hauraki, £1,575 ; Rangitaiki, £2,797. The total amount collected during the whole of the year was—Hauraki, £4,429 ; Rangitaiki, 6,398. A considerable number of engineering, road, and other plans were made and tracings and blueprints prepared by the draughting staff.

APPENDIX IV.—WAIMARINO BUSH-FIRE RELIEF FUND. A sum of £75,000 was authorized to be, borrowed for the purpose of affording relief by way of loans to settlers who were burnt out by bush fires in the early part of 1918. The loans made totalled approximately £70,000 while repayments amount to £19,500, leaving approximately £50,EC0 still outstanding. This amount is partly secured by mortgages and partly by promissory notes. The settlers thoroughly appreciate what the Government has done for them and, where possible, have reduced their capital liabilities to the Department. The interest accrued at 31st March was £2,1 19 15s. Bd., but a large portion of this did not become actually payable until April and May this year. The fund is in a very satisfactory position, and it is not anticipated that any material losses will be, sustained on realization of the securities. Statement of accounts and balance-sheet are appended. Receipts and Payments Account for Year ended 31st March, 1920. Dr. £ s. (1. Or. £ s. d. £ s. dTo cash in hand, Ist April, 1919 .. 23,050 2 0 By AdvancesRepayment of Advances—• £ s. d. Promissory notes .. 707 6 6 Promissory notes 12,001 10 6 Mortgages.. .. 17,.'171 5 4 Mortgages .. .. 7,493 7 6 18,078 II 10 19,494 18 0 Reinvestment of surplus funds .. .. 17,700 0 0 Interest on advances and surplus funds .. 2,139 1 7 Interest on loan .. .. .. 3,008 4 4 Sundry expenses .. .. .. 418 3 Cash in hand, 31st March, 1920. . .. 5,892 7 2 £44,684 1 7 £44,684 1' 7 Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1920. Liabilities. £ s. d. Assets. £ s. d. Loan Account: Debentures issued .. 75.000 0 0 Investments— Consolidated Fund : Management expenses 500 0 0 Secured by promissory £ s. d. Investmont Reserve Account .. .. 702 2 0 note .. ".'. 19,351 811 Suspense Account .. .. .. 0 10 6 Secured by mortgage 31,199 0 9 ■ 50,550 9 8 Interest accrued, but not paid, as at 31st March, 1920 .. .. ..2,119 15 8 Surplus funds reinvested .. .. 17,700 0 0 Cash in hand, 31st March, 1920 .. 5,892 7 2 £76,262 12 6 £76,262 12 6 J. H. O'DONNT-LL, Chief Aoeountant, Department of Lands.

APPENDIX V.—ROLL OF HONOUR, It is fitting that a permanent record should be kept of those officers of the Department who answered to the call of duty and joined the Expeditionary Forces of the Empire in its fight for the defence of freedom. At the outbreak of war the Department's roll contained the names of 572 officers. The following list gives particulars of 182 officers who joined the, Forces and who were then in the Department or who have joined its staff since. Of these, thirty-three made the great sacrifice. It is only fair to state that several other officers also joined, but did not leave- the country, some being discharged as medically unfit and others being in camp at the date of the armistice. The rest of the, staff comprised men too old or too young for service, rejected as medically unfit, or else were women. It is gratifying to note that in the majority of cases the officers volunteered, and that those who waited until their names duly appeared in the notices calling them to serve had ample reason for doing so through domestic and other claims. Whilst the Department produced no soldiers of outstanding fame, its members composed a part of that great body of men who served their country valiantly and well, and by their unobtrusive, loyal, and steadfast devotion to duty helped to save civilization in its great defence of liberty. Some of the Department's officers have not returned to us, having given up their lives on the battlefield and elsewhere, but

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their deeds shed an imperishable lustre on the. manner in which New Zealand responded to the Empire's call. Others returned wounded and ailing, but in no single case has the voice of complaint been raised, and the Public; Service of the Dominion may well be proud of its representatives in this Department who served in the Great War. It may be added that those, who returned to their civil duties have since performed their work in a most exemplary manner. The gratitude of the Department is respectfully and sincerely tendered to them, whilst its deepest sympathy and condolences are extended to the relatives of those who have " gone west " never to return to our own dear country, New Zealand. Dulce et decorum est pro patria rnori. Adams, W. J. .. . . Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 31st May, 1917 ; discharged 21st July, 1919. Served in France with N.Z. Reinforcements. Adamson, H. G. K. . . Clerk, Invercargill. Enlisted 23rd August, 1915 ; struck off strength 24th April, 1919. 2nd Lieutenant in N.Z. Machine-gun Corps. Served in Egypt and France, taking part in engagements at Armentieres, Messines, La Basseville, Passchendaele, and Polderhoek. Anber.son, R. .. .. Draughtsman, Invercargill. Enlisted 14th January, 1918 ; discharged 21st October, 1919. Corporal, Machine-gun Corps, Otago Battalion. Applf.garth, R. G. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted in England in Medical Corps; transferred to American Medical Corps as Major; also Liaison Officer. Served in France. Avann, L. .. .. Clerk, New Plymouth. Enlisted 4-th February, 1917; discharged 23rd September, 1919. Private, Ist Wellington Infantry Regiment. Served in France and Germany, taking part in the " big push " of 1918, and was with Army of Occupation in Germany. Bagnall, A. E. R. .. .. Draughting Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 6th March, 1917. Died of wounds received in action, 26th August, 1918. Gunner, N.Z. Field Artillery. Baicjent, C. 11. .. .. Draughtsman, Nelson. Enlisted Ist November, 191.6; discharged 24th July, 191.9. Private (Company Signaller), 12th Company, Ist Canterbury Battalion. Served in Belgium, France, and Germany, taking part in engagements at Ypres Sector, Hebuterne Sector (Somme), and Army of Occupation, Germany. Bailey, J. M. .. .. Crown Lands Ranger, Marlborough. Enlisted 10th August, 1914; discharged. 31st January, 1918. Sergeant, Otago Mounted Rifles. Served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France, taking part in. minor engagements in each theatre. Barker, W. J. .. .. Draughting Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 29th February, 1916; discharged March, 1918. Served in N.Z. Reinforcements in France. Barton, P. G. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 22nd August, 1916. Killed in action, 14th October, 1917. Bull, 8,. IT. .. .. Clerk, Nelson. Enlisted Ist December, 1916; discharged 21st July, 1919. Corpora], Ist Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment. Served in Belgium (Ypres, 1917-18), France (Somme, 1918), Germany (Army of Occupation). Berry, J. S. . . . . Crown Lands Ranger, Kaitaia. Enlisted 28th September, 1915 ; discharged 31st January, 191.8. Private, 15th North Auckland Company, 2nd Auckland Infantry Battalion. Served in Egypt and France, at Armentieres and Somme. Bust, C. C. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted September, 1915; discharged October, 1919. Captain, Ist Battalion, N.Z. Rifle Brigade. Served in Egypt and France. Awarded Military Cross. Blake, Val. .. Assistant Surveyor, Wellington. Enlisted 15th March, 1915 : Promoted Lieutenant in Canterbury Battalion, N.Z. Infantry Brigade. Killed in action at Gallipoli, 9th December, 1915. Blithe, Tiios. .. .. Chainman on Mr. Wheeler's survey party, Gisbornc. Joined 41st Reinforcements. Served in Egypt and Palestine with N.Z. Mounted Rifles. Discharged November, 1918. Bloxom, T. . . . . Chainman on Mr. Primrose's survey party. Killed in action. Bourke, C. R. K. . . Clerical Cadet, New Plymouth. Enlisted 9th October, 1917 ; discharged 27th May, 1919. Private in 2nd Hawke's Bay Company, Ist Brigade. Served in France. Boyoe, T. . . .. Draughtsman (temporary), Auckland. Boyd, J. G. .. .. Clerical Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 23rd August, 1917. Private, Canterbury Infantry Regiment. Killed in action in France, 23rd October, 1918. Bonninoton, H. .. .. Draughtsman, Nelson. Enlisted 13th August, 1914; discharged 28th. February, 1916. Trooper, Auckland Mounted Rifles (Main Body). Served in Egypt and Turkey, taking part in engagements at Walker's Ridge, Suvla Bay (Gallipoli). Brewster, J. T. M. .. Temporary Computer, Auckland (resigned 15th February, 1919). Served in France,

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Brown, S. 11. .. .. Relieving Clerk, Wellington. Enlisted 13th .July, 1917; discharged 18th September, 1919. Served as Sergeant with the. 2nd Otago Battalion in France till. Armistice. Burgess-; R. F. . . . . Survey Cadet. Wellington. Enlisted I.sth February, 1915 ; discharged 20th February, 1919. Trooper, Mounted Rifles Brigade, in Egypt and. Gallipoli, and subsequently with N.Z. Engineers in France. Burns, 0. IT. .. .. Ledger Clerk, Christchurch. Enlisted 12th October, 191.5; sailed 9th Reinforcements. Gunner, N.Z. Field Artillery. Served in Egypt and France. Wounded at Ploegsteert, June, 1917. Discharged February, 1919. BuRRY, 11. N. F. ~ .. Insurance Clerk, Christchurch. Enlisted 15th July, 1915; sailed with 4th Reinforcements. Sergeant in N.Z. Field Ambulance. Served in Egypt, Palestine, and Mesopotamia. Discharged July, 1919 BuRRELL, IVI. H. B. .. Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted 9th July, 1915; discharged 22nd July, 1917. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant. BuRRELL, V. G. B. .. Draughting Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 11th April. 1918; discharged 23rd September, 1.91.9. Served in Egypt. BUST, T. R. .. .. Field Cadet, Dunedin. Enlisted 21st August, 1917; discharged 18th September, 1919. Served in France. Cairnie, G. J. B. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 13th August, 1914. Private in Auckland Infantry Battalion. Reported, missing at Gallipoli, sth June, 1915. Caiman, R. C. .. .. Draughtsman, Wellington. Enlisted 12th October, 1915. Killed in action, Ist October, 19.16. Campbell, 11. .. .. Crown Lands Ranger, Reefton. Enlisted 3rd March, 19.15 ; discharged. 13th August, 1919. Captain in Forces. Served in Gallipoli, Egypt, and France, taking part in. engagements at Gallipoli, Somme, and Messines. Awarded Military Cross and mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatches. Campbell, 0. N. . . .. Land Drainage Engineer, Auckland. Enlisted December, 1916; discharged 23rd March, 1919. Lieutenant, Tunnelling Corps, France. Carroll, J. J. .. .. Field Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 30th May, 1.91.6; discharged 7th April, 1919. Served in N.Z. Reinforcements in France. ChESNEY, J. A. .. .. Clerk, Hokitika. Enlisted 24th August, 1916; discharged 17th January, 1919. Private, 7th Ruahine Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, and Lanoe-Corporal, 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Served in France, at Passchendaele, Polygon Wood, and the Somme. CIappBRTON, .1. D. . . Survey Cadet, Christchurch. Enlisted April, 1915. Private in N.Z. Medical Corps. Served on first charter Hospital Ship " Marama." Discharged November, .1919. Clevkruon, R. .. .. Temporary Clerk, Head Office. Enlisted January, 1916; discharged June, 1919. Sergeant, Ist N.Z. Rifle Brigade. Served at Passchendaele, Somme, and British Offensive, 1918. Awarded the Dis-tinguished-conduct Medal. Cochrane, 11. R. . . .. Draughting Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 17th October, 1916; discharged 23rd May, 1919. Lewis Gunner, and afterwards Brigade Observer. Served in France, taking part in engagements at Warneton, Passchendaele, Ypres, and Somme, 1918. Military Medal. Cookrokt, W. E. .. • .. Clerk, Dunedin. Enlisted 18th May, 19.17; discharged 2nd March, 1919. Driver in N.Z. Army Service Corps attached to N.Z. Mounted Rifles. Served in Egypt and Palestine. Clay, N. A. .. .. Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted 1915. Lieutenant, N.Z. Infantry. Served in France. Coleman, F. .. .. Draughtsman, New Plymouth. Went into camp with N.Z. Field Engineers, 10th August, 1914 ; discharged 31st July, 1919. Trooper in 11th North Auckland Mounted Rifles. Served with N.Z. Brigade of Anzac Division in Palestine and Jordan Valley. Subsequently attached for duty to the Royal Engineers with Imperial Army at Haifa and Damascus. COOPER; R. W. .. ..Ist Wellington Battalion and 2nd Battalion, N.Z. Rifle Brigade. Enlisted August, 1914; discharged May, 1917. Served in Samoa, Egypt, Gallipoli, and France. C'ORNWBLL, R; J. .. .. Draughtsman, Christchurch. Now Assistant Land Drainage Engineer, Auckland. Enlisted 7th February, 1915; discharged 14th March, 1916. Couch, T. S. .. ■■ Draughtsman, Blenheim. Enlisted 14th August, 1914; discharged 22nd December, 1916. Private, with the Main Body. Served in Egypt and Gallipoli. Craig, A, W, ~ ~ Surveyor, North Auckland,

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Crawford, R.J. .. '.. " Draughtsman, Wellington. Enlisted 12th May, 1915; discharged Pith April, 1919. Served with Ist Field Company, N.Z. Engineers, in. Egypt and France. Transferred to II A.N.Z.A.O, Topographical Section, in February, 1917. Promoted to Corporal in June, 1918. CuMMING, R. W. . . .. Clerk, Auckland. Now Senior Clerk, North Auckland. Joined the Expeditionary Forces 6th December, 1915. Lieut.-Colonel in charge 12th Reinforcements. Afterwards Infantry Instructor, Featherston Camp. Released from duty 7th December, 1918. Edgeeumbe, H. F. . . .. Land Transfer Draughtsman. Dunedin. Enlisted 30th May, 1916. Promoted Lieutenant. Served in France. Died of influenza in New Zealand, 31st November, 1918. Ellis, W. H. .. .. Clerk, Auckland. Enlisted 17th April, 1915. Reported missing, believed killed, 14th .Inly, 1916. Esam, S. 0. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted llth October, 1915. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, Wellington Infantry Battalion. Killed in action, 16th September, 1.916. Fabian, J. C. .. .■ Temporary Draughtsman, Christchurch. Proceeded to camp 14th June, 1915, sailing with 7th Reinforcements in October. Bombardier in N.Z. Field. Artillery. Served in. Egypt and through the operations in France, proceeding to Germany after the signing of the Armistice. Discharged 13th May, 1919.' Fitzsimmons, J. •• •• Draughtsman, Dunedin (resigned 29th February, 1920.) Enlisted 12th April, 1917: discharged 17th September, 1.919. FoLLEY, A. 1). .. .. Quartermaster-Sergeant, 4th N.Z. Rifle Brigade. Enlisted August, 1915; Discharged July, 1918. Served in Egypt and France. Folley, T. L. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 18th October, 1917. Died of sickness in Now Zealand, 13th November, 19.18. Freeman, C. J. ..■ •• Draughtsman, Wellington. Enlisted 17th October, 1917 ; discharged 23rd September, 1919. Served with 3rd Battalion, N.Z. Rifle Brigade, in France, till Armistice. Freeman, L. B. .. .. Draughtsman, Christchurch. Enlisted June, 1917, sailing in. November, 1917. Driver in N.Z. Field Artillery. Served in France till signing of Armistice, then proceeded to Germany with Army of Occupation. Discharged June, 1919. Gallen, W. J. .. .. Draughtsman, Nelson. Enlisted 19th September, 1916; discharged 13th August, 1919. Lieutenant Ist Battalion, Canterbury Regiment. Served in France, taking part in engagements at the Somme. Gannaway, P. C. .. Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted in December, 1916. Lieutenant, Auxiliary Naval Patrol, R.N.V.R., North Sea,. Died of sickness, 6th November, 1918. GARRETT, Et. . . • • Surveyor, Auckland. Joined from Federated Malay States. Lieutenant, Royal Engineers. Served in France. Gedbes, A. .. .. Clerk, Dunedin. Enlisted llth November, 1916. Company Quarter-master-Sergeant in Ist Wellington Battalion. Served in engagement at Passchendaele. Gibhs. W. E. A. .. .. Clerk, Nelson. Enlisted 3rd April, 1916; discharged 28th March, 1919. Private, 12th Company, 2nd Canterbury Battalion. Served in France and Belgium, taking part in engagements at Mcssines and Passchendaele (wounded). GIRDLESTONE, C. S. .. Record Clerk, Wellington. Enlisted 9th August, 1911; discharged unfit 22nd March, 1915. Gunner, Machine-gun Section, N.Z. Field Artillery. Samoan Expeditionary Force. Girdlestone, H. E. .. .. District Surveyor, Head Office. Enlisted May, 1917. Killed in France, August, 1918. Gold-Smith, D. E.. . .. Accounts Clerk, Christchurch. Enlisted Bth December, 1916; discharged Bth June, 1918. Private in 2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment. Served in Flanders and France, taking pari in engagements at Passchendaele. GoSSETT, R. W. . . . . Draughtsman. Auckland. Served in France. Gray, W. M. .. .. Surveyor, Napier. Enlisted 31st August, 1914. Promoted Sergeant. Killed in action, El Romani, 9th August, 1916. Grkhi, D. M. .. .. Survey Cadet, Invercargill. Enlisted 6th December, 1917 ; discharged 31st October, 1919. Private in 3rd Battalion, Otago Regiment. Served, in England. Haasi:. A. C. •■ ■■ Survey Cadet, New Plymouth. Enlisted September,.l9l7 ; discharged 1 1 tli April, 1919. Signaller in 2nd Auckland Infantry Battalion. Served in France. Hall, L. W. B. .. .. Survey Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 20th August, 1911. Section Corporal in Divisional Signalling Company, 3rd Auckland Regiment. Died of wounds, 12th June-, 1917.

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Hancock, T. R. .. .. Survey Cadet, New Plymouth. Enlisted 12th August, 1914; discharged 16th January, 1919. Gunner in N.Z. Field Artillery. Served in Egypt and France, taking part in engagements at Armentieres, Mcssines, Passchendaele, and Somme. Resigned from service. HardinG, W. G. .. .. Draughtsman, Napier. Entered camp 23rd May, 1918 ; discharged 22nd May, 1919. Private, N.Z. Rifle Brigade Reserve Battalion. Completed training in England at time of Armistice. Harvey, G. H. .. .. Clerical Cadet, Invercargill. Enlisted 9th March, 1916. Gunner, N.Z. Field Artillery. Died of disease 17th January, 1917. Haszard, K. F. . . .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 12th December, 1916. Resumed duty 14th May, 1919. Wounded. Served in France. Hawkesby, G. J. .. .. Clerk, Auckland. Enlisted 14th December, 1915; discharged 4th June, 1917. Quartermaster-Sergeant N.Z. Rifle Brigade. Served in France, taking part n engagement at the Somme. Prior service with Chitral Field Force- (Afghanistan). Ha worth, M. W. . . . . Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 17th April, 1915 ; discharged January, 1920. Served on Gallipoli and in France as ArmourerSergeant. Heather, D. S. B. , .. Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted 4th June, .1918; discharged 3rd January, 1919. Corporal. Served in Now Zealand. Hemphill, J. M. .. .. Surveyor's Assistant, Auckland. Enlisted 23rd August, 1915; discharged llth April, 1919. Henderson, H. D. .. Draughtsman and Computer, Christchurch. Entered. Camp 9th February, 1916, sailing with 13th Reinforcements in May. Sapper in Ist Field Company, N.Z. Engineers. Served in France, taking partin Messines and Passchendaele offensives. Discharged September, 1918. Hood, A. W. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 4th April, 1918 ; discharged 18th November, 1918. HUBBARD, N. E. 11. . . Supervisor Soldiers' Settlements, Invercargill. Enlisted 20th August, 1916. Discharged through wounds Bth August, 1918. Corporal, 2nd N.Z. Rifle Brigade. Served in France. Took part in engagements at Passchendaele and the Somme. Wounded at the Somme, sth April, 1918. Hudson, F. .. .. Messenger, Dunedin. Enlisted 10th October, 1914. Private, Otago Battalion. Served at Gallipoli. Hudson, T. H. . . .. Draughting Cadet, New Plymouth. Enlisted August, 19.1.4. Corporal, llth Taranaki Company, Wellington Infantry Regiment. Served in Egypt and Gallipoli. Died of pneumonia at Walton-on-Tham.es, 18th May, 1916. Hulme, H, C. .. .. Cashier, Dunedin. Enlisted sth May, 1916. Company Quartermaster - Sergeant, Ist Otago Battalion. Served in Battle of Passchendaele. Hutton, B. .. .. Draughting Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted Ist July, 1916; discharged 21st September, 1918. 2nd Lieutenant, 35th Reinforcements. Ingram, E. A. .. .. Draughtsman, Hokitika. Enlisted 14th August, 1914. Promoted Sergeant, Canterbury Battalion, N.Z. Infantry Brigade. Reported wounded and missing at Gallipoli, 3rd May, 1915. Jamieson, F. R. .. .. Cashier, Nelson. Enlisted 25th February, 1917 ; discharged 30th April, 1919. Trooper, llth Auckland Mounted Rifles. Served in Palestine and Syria, taking part in engagements at Jordan Valley and Amman. Jamison, T. R. .. .. Enlisted 4th April, 1916; discharged 30th June, 1919. Corporal. H Company, 17th Reinforcements, till 25th September, 1916. Transferred to N.Z. Army Pioneer Corps as Staff Sergeant. Johnson, R. C, .. .. Temporary Clerk, Wellington. Enlisted 9th August, 1914; discharged 9th June, 1919. Served in Ist and 2nd Field Company Engineers at Gallipoli, 4th Company, Engineers and Howitzer Battery in France. Transferred to Royal Air Force, September, 1918. Discharged from Air Force for repatriation to New Zealand. Joyce, 11. A. .. .. Clerk, Auckland. Enlisted Bth February, 1917; discharged 13th January, 1919. Private, 2nd Auckland Infantry. Served in France. Wounded Ist September, 1918. Kenny, C. .. .. Assistant Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted ; discharged 31st May, 1918. Sergeant. Wounded. Kenrick, 11. K. .. .. Survey Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 6th February, 1916 ; discharged 7th June, 1919. Sergeant in 2nd Otago Infantry Battalion. Served in France, taking part in engagements at the Somme, Messines, and 1918 advance. Kino, 15. .. .. Survey Cadet, New Plymouth. Enlisted 30th August, .1916; discharged 30th April, 1918. N.Z. Field Artillery.

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Knapp, A. W. .. .. Draughting Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 29th September, 1915 ; discharged 28th March, 1919. Private in the N.Z. Medical Corps. Served in France, taking part in engagements at Messines, Passchendaele, Ypres, and the Somme. Kynvett, 08... .. Temporary Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 15th September, 1917. Served in France. Lane, J. P. .. .. Cashier, Auckland. Enlisted Ist May, 19.16; discharged 27th. June, 1919. Gunner in N.Z. Expeditionary Force. Served in France, taking part in engagements at Armentieres, Messines, Passchendaele, Ypres, and the Somme, 1918. Lang, T. J. .. .. Cashier, Wellington. Enlisted 10th November, 1914. Promoted Lieutenant, Army Pay Department, N.Z. Expeditionary Forces. Died of sickness in Egypt, 18th July, 1918. Langlands, H. J. .. .. Sapper in 14th Reinforcements, N.Z. Signal. Company. Enlisted at beginning of March, 1916. Served with N.Z. Division from September, 191.6, to date, of discharge, June, 1919. Lawry, 11. M. .. .. Clerical Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted June, 1917; discharged 12th September, 1919. Private, in N.Z. Medical Corps. Served in France. Attached to N.Z. Stationary Hospital. Lawson, P. S. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 17th October, 1917; discharged 6th' May, 19.19. Private, Field Battalion, Wellington infantry, West Coast Company. Served in France. Leeds, A. T. .. .. Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted 6th October, 1915; discharged February, 1919. Ist Lieutenant, Tunnelling Corps and Engineers, France. Logan, G. J. .. .. Draughtsman, Blenheim. Enlisted September, 1916; discharged llth April, 1919. Served with 4th Brigade from its inception to disbanding. Macfarlane, W. H. S. .. Forestry Inspector, Invercargill. Enlisted 16th May, 1916; discharged 13th April, 1919. Service abroad, 2 years 214 days with N.Z. Tunnelling Company oh western front. Also served with N.Z. Forces in South African War. Mackenzie, R. F. W. .. District Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted 7th September, 1915; discharged 17th May, 1919. Captain, Camel Corps in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Awarded Military Cross. Macmorran, R. G. .. Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted June, 1916 ; discharged 14th August 1919. Sapper, N.Z. Engineers, Served in France. Martin, L. E. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 26th June, 1917 ; discharged 19th March, 19.18. McCartney, A. D. .. Returns Clerk, Dunedin. Enlisted Ist May, 1916. 2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Otago Battalion. Took part in engagements at Messines and Passchendaele. McConnell, A. P. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 27th October, 1915. Served with Medical Corps, also on hospital ships between England and France. Mac Donald, D. M.. . .. Crown Lands Ranger, Canterbury. Enlisted August, 1914. Sergeant, Canterbury Mounted Rifles. Killed in action at Gallipoli, 22nd August, 1915. Mackay, D. M. G. .. Clerk, Land Drainage Branch, Auckland. Enlisted 23rd May, 1916 ; discharged 25th November, 1919. Sergeant-Major, Ist Canterbury Infantry. Served in France. Awarded Distinguished - conduct Medal. McKenzie, G. H. .. .. Clerk, Auckland. Enlisted 27th June, 1916; discharged Ist September, 1919. Sapper in the 2nd Field Company, N.Z. Engineers. Served in France, taking part in engagements at Messines, Passchendaele, Ypres, and the Somme, 1918; also with Army of Occujiation, Cologne, Germany. McKenzie, L. J. . . .. Draughting Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted llth April, 1918 ; discharged 23rd November, 1918. Served in France. McKinlay, J. M. .. .. Draughting Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 7th February, 1918; discharged 22nd May, 1919. Served with. Forces in France ; twice wounded.. McLeod, R. E. 15. . . Cashier, Invercargill. Enlisted sth June, 1916; discharged 29th March, 1919. Private, Wellington Infantry Battalion. Served in France, Messines, and Passchendaele, and British offensive, 1918. McMillan, T. S. .. .. Survey Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 9th July, 1915 ; discharged Bth May, 1919. Sergeant, N.Z. Engineers, Egypt and Palestine. Middlemas, N. A. .. Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted 17th August, 1914; discharged 13th April, 1919. Private, Machine-gun Company, 3rd (Auckland) Regiment. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant. Miller, K. J. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 27th October, 1915. Served in Medical Corps on hospital ships. Died of influenza. Mitchell, R. E. L. .. Clerk, Auckland. Enlisted Ist June, 1916. Killed in action, 2nd August, 1917.

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Montgomuriu, J. A. ~ Tracer, New Plymouth (resigned 31st October, 191.6). Enlisted 20th May, 1915 ; 'discharged 21st May, 1916. Sergeant-Major, N.Z. Medical Corps. Morilli-iac, E. M... .. Field Cadet, North Auckland. Enlisted 7th September, 19.1.6; discharged 25th May, 1919. Sapper, N.Z. Engineers. Served in France, taking part in engagements at Ypres, where lie received seiious gas-burns. Morrow, F. G. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Wounded at Gallipoli. Morpeth, Allan .. .. Assistant to Drainage Engineer. Enlisted 7th. June, 1916. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, 6th (Hauraki) Auckland Infantry Regiment, in France. Killed in action, 2nd October, 19.17. Mottram, 11. R. .. .. Temporary Draughtsman, Christchurch. Proceeded to camp, June, 1915, sailing with Bth Reinforcements in November of that year. Temporary Captain in 2nd Battalion, N.Z. Rifle Brigade. Served in Egypt and France, taking part in Somme offensive of 19.16. Wounded at Ploegsteert, March, 1917. Discharged November, 191.7. Murray, R. 11. .. .'. Chainman, Napier. Member of the Bth Reinforcements, Auckland Battalion. Discharged January, 1920. Newburn, Tims. ..- .. Clerk, H<>ad Office. Enlisted 26th September, 19.17; discharged. 17th September, 1919. Private, Wellington Infantry Regiment. Served in France, and German.}'. O'Briun, E. G. . . .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted January, 1917 ; discharged 20th March, 1919. Private, 3rd Field Ambulance. Served in France. O'Hara, J. C. .. . . Draughting Cadet, Auckland (resigned 26th December, 1919). Enlisted 23rd September, 1915; discharged 31st October, 191.9. Wounded at the Somme in 1916. Also served with No. 3 Field Ambulance. O'Reilly, F. C. .. .. Draughtsman, Wellington. Enlisted 12th June, 1915. Served in Egypt and France. Private, Wellington Infantry Regiment. Killed, in action, 23rd July, 1917. PaORA, W. .. .'.. Surveyor. Enlisted Ist November, 1915; discharged 29th May, 1918. Palmer, W. R. .. .. Crown Lands Ranger, Auckland. Enlisted 15th January, 1917; discharged 26th September, 1919. Parker, R. V. .. .. Draughtsman, Dunedin. Enlisted 13th January, 1916. Promoted Sergeant, Otago Infantry Battalion. Killed, in action, 21st December, 1.916. Parkinson, S. .. .. Surveyor, Wellington. Enlisted I.sth November. 1915; discharged 23rd April, 1919. Corporal, N.Z. Rifle Brigade, till wounded at Somme Battle, I,sth September, 1916. After discharge from hospital transferred to sth N.Z. Light Railway Operating Company, with, which company served till Armistice, was signed. Pearce, 0. D. .. .. Survey Cadet, Auckland. Enlisted 6th February, 1917. Private, Wellington Infantry Regiment. Died, of wounds received in action, 13th May, 1918. Pecram, J. .. .. Sergeant, Ist Wellington Battalion. Enlisted August, 1915; discharged April, 1919. Served in. Egypt, France, and Germany. Petersen, J. A. •• ■■ Clerk, Wellington. Enlisted 30th' July, 1917; discharged I.4th October, .1919. Served, with 6th Squadron, Wellington Mounted Rifles, Egypt and. Palestine. Pfankuch, E. .. .. Draughtsman, Christchurch. Enlisted February, 1917, sailing in July. Corporal in Ist Battalion, N.Z. Rifle Brigade. Served in France, taking part in operations from Polygon Wood to Fre'micourt, where he was wounded. Discharged 22nd March, 1919. Pfeifer, C. E. .. .. 2nd Battalion, N.Z. Rifle Brigade. Enlisted February, 1917; discharged May, 1.91.9. Phillips,. T. ..G. .. .. Survey Cadet, Wellington. Enlisted 19th October, 1915; discharged 15th February, 1919. Machine-gun Corps. Pirritt, G. .. .. Assistant Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted August, 1914. Left with Main Body. Killed in action on Gallipoli on Bth. August, 1.915. Poff, L.J. .. .. Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted with Main Body, and served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and. France. Ist Lieutenant. Awarded Military Medal. Primrose, 11. L. .. .. Sergeant, 2nd Wellington Battalion, and 22nd Corps, Topographical Section. Enlisted April, 1916 ; discharged May, 1919. Served in France. Purdie,"C, L. .. .. Draughtsman and Computer, Wellington. Enlisted 14th August, 191.4; discharged 17th May, 1919. Staff Sergeant-Major, N.Z. Medical Corps. Served in Egypt, Gallipoli (landing Suvla Bay operations, evacuation), France, Belgium. Awarded Military Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. QuENNELL, W. B. ... .. Clerical Cadet, Dunedin. Enlisted 22nd January, 1915. Promoted Sergeant, Entrenching Battalion. Served in France;. Discharged. 17th September, .1919. Resigned from service.

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Quinn, J. F. .. Accountant, Wellington. Enlisted 12th May, 1916; discharged, 2nd April, 1920. Served as Lieutenant with Otago Regiment in France. Randrup, H. 8.. . . . . Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted and left with Main Body. Killed at the Dardanelles on Bth May, 1915. Reid, T. 11. .. .. Clerical Cadet, Head Office. Enlisted. February, 1916. N.Z. Field Artillery. Discharged May, 1919. Served in France and Germany. Robertson, J. 11. .. Clerk, Auckland. Enlisted I.2th October, 1915; discharged 14th August, 1919. ROBINSON, E. C. . . .. Surveyor, Inland Drainage Branch. Robinson. ('. K. ... .. Draughtsman and Computer, Auckland. Enlisted 6th March, 1916; discharged 9th August, 1918. Sapper, N.Z. Engineers. Served in France. Rochfort, Walter .. .. Draughtsman, Christchurch. Enlisted 26th May, 1915. Corporal, N.Z. Medical Corps. Killed in action in France on 18th June, 1917. Roe, T. S. .." .. N.Z. Mounted Rifles. Discharged May, 1919. Served in Egypt and Palestine. Ropiua. T. T. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Discharged October, 1918. Served in France, with 7th Battalion, N.Z. Field Artillery. Searell; T. A. .. .. Clerk, Christchurch. Enlisted 4th October, 1915. Obtained eighteen months' leave. Sergeant, 36th Reinforcements. Served in France in 12th (Nelson) Company, 2nd Canterbury Infantry Regiment. Proceeded to Germany with Army of Occupation. Discharged 12th August, 1919. Seoker, 11. P. .. .. Clerk, Wellington. Enlisted 16th August, 1911; discharged 12th April, 1919. Corporal, N.Z. Brigade Signal Infantry. Served at Gallipoli, Egypt, and France. Seddon, S. T. .. .. Surveyor, Auckland (resigned 31st October, 1919). Enlisted 31st August, 1914 ; discharged 27th June, 19.19. Lieutenant, Auckland Infantry Regiment. Awarded Military Cross. Shannon, 11. G. .. .. Assistant Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted 6th January, 1917: discharged sth July, 1918. Served in France. Sherratt, P. S. .. .. Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted 23rd May; 1918 ; discharged sth September, 1919. Sicely, A. C. M. .. .. Temporary Draughtsman, Napier. Enlisted 24th August, 1915. (Resigned office same date.) SIEVERS, W. N. .. .. Clerk, Wellington. Enlisted sth August, 1914. Served at Samoa in N.Z. Field Artillery. Was discharged, and re-enlisted 9th July. 1915. Promoted Lieutenant in N.Z. Artillery. Awarded Military Cross. Served in France. Discharged Bth September, 1919. Sinel, R. .. •■ Cashier, Dunedin; now Assistant Accountant, Public Trust Office. Enlisted Bth June, 1916. Promoted Lieutenant, N.Z. Field Artillery. Served, in France. Smith, S. B. .. .. Computing Draughtsman, Dunedin. Enlisted 6th April, 1916. Corporal, 2nd Otago Battalion. Took part in the Battle of Messines. SiMitt, 11... .. .. Timber-measurer, Auckland. Enlisted 16th March, 1916. Discharged. Stewart, R. M. .. .. Enlisted 22nd February, 1915. Sailed with sth Reinforcements 13th June, 19.15. Returned to New Zealand on. duty, 22nd October, 1918. Discharged 13th December, 19.18. Sergeant in 2nd Entrenching Battalion. Served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France, taking part in engagements at Suvla Bay, the Somme, Messines, Ploegsteert, Passchendaele, &c. Stokes, L. A. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 1914. discharged 1915. Served in Egypt and Turkey. Strawbridge, J. S. .. Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted Bth February, 1914; discharged 23rd May, 1919. Corporal, N.Z. Engineers, France. SUTHERLAND, A. F. .. Draughting Cadet, Christchurch. Enlisted 15th January, 1918; resigned service same date. Taylor, N. V. .. .. Draughting Cadet, New Plymouth. Enlisted 6th October, 1917; discharged 27th September, 1919. Gunner, 35th Specialists, Machine-gun Corps. Thompson, W. S. .. .. Surveyor, Napier (resigned 30th September, 1916). Enlisted 16th August, 1914; discharged 28th February, 1916. Wellington East Coast Regiment. Thomson, J. C. .. .. Survey Cadet, Invercargill. Enlisted 10th February, 1916. Gunner in 13th Artillery Reinforcements. Died of sickness in New Zealand, Ist June, 1916. Thorp, J. R. H. .. .. Survey Cadet, Wellington. Enlisted March, 1917; discharged April 1920. Served in France in. Ist Battalion, N.Z. Rifle Brigade Severely wounded. Townshend, F. E. O. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 18th October, 1917; discharged (wounded) llth April, 1919. Served with Forces in France,

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Turnbull. A. C. . . .. Inspector of Offices, now Secretary, Public, Service Commissioner's Office. Enlisted 25th July, 1916; discharged 12th March, 1919. Served in France with Canterbury Infantry Regiment. Turner, A. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted Bth May, 1916; discharged 27th June, 1919. Corporal, 2nd Auckland Infantry, France. Wake, H. L. .. . . Survey Cadet, Gisborne. Enlisted 14th February, 1915. Posted as missing, and after Court of Inquiry in January, 1916, notified as believed to be dead. Wallace, D. G. . . .. Assistant Crown Lands Ranger, Timaru. Enlisted 18th August, 1914. Attached N.Z. Mounted Rifles Brigade. Served in Egypt, Malta, and Gallipoli, taking part in operations at Anzac Cove and Suvla Bay. Discharged 21st July, 1916. Watkin, R. A. . . . . Draughtsman, New Plymouth (resigned 30th November, 1919). Enlisted 7th November, 1916 ; discharged 19th October, 1919. Watson, F. W. .. Assistant Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted August, 1914. Served at Gallipoli and in France. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, Machine-gun Corps. Awarded Distinguished-conduct Medal. Killed in action 2nd June, 1917. Wattie, A. J. .. .. Clerk, Napier. Divisional Signal Company. Enlisted 1916; discharged June, 1919. Awarded Military Medal. Whiting, E. 11. .. .. Cadet, Wellington. Enlisted August, 1914; discharged May, 1919. Sergeant, Main Body. Served in Egypt (Suez Canal), Gallipoli (Anzac landing and Cape Helles), France (Somme, 1916), Messines (wounded), Passchendaele (Somme, 1918). Williams, S. E. .. .. Temporary Draughtsman, Auckland (resigned 22nd October, 1917). Enlisted 22nd October, 1917 ; discharged 3rd January, 1918. Willis, W. B. de L. .. Assistant Surveyor, Auckland. Enlisted August, 1914. Promoted Corporal, Auckland Battalion, N.Z. Infantry Brigade. Died of wounds received at Gallipoli, 12th May, 1915. Wills, A. .. .. Tracer, Auckland. Enlisted 21st May, 1917; discharged 3rd May, 1918. Samoan Force. Wilson, N. W. .. .. Draughtsman, Hokitika (resigned 21st February, 1920). Enlisted 19th May, 1916 ; discharged llth January, 1920. Wright. P. B. .. .. Draughtsman, Auckland. Enlisted 15th August, 1916 ; discharged 21st July, 1919. Served in France as Rifleman in 4th Battalion, N.Z. Rifle Brigade, and Corporal, Divisional Headquarters. The following officers also entered cam]), but did not leave New Zealand ;— Alsweiler, L. G. Climie, J. C. McGavock, A. D. Bines, A. I). Conway, W. Nicholson, W. A. Black, H. B. Dunn, C. J. Nimon, W. A. Burton, S. T. Hodge, C. B. Norman, P. V. Cagney, T. Irwin, R. C. M. Sheehy, T. Campbell, R. D. Keys, L. F. Sutton, W. A. Chaplin, E. Mitchell, F. W. E. Taylor, E.

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6-0, 1

Table 1.—Return showing (approximately) Position of Lands in the Dominion at 31st March, 1919.

District. Total Area sold and held on Freehold. Total Area granted Total Area under Acts without j of Crown Lands Money Payment, leased or reserved for Public under all Tenures Purposes from (exclusive of Foundation of Reserves leased Dominion. by Crown). Total Area open for Selection. Total Area of Native Land. Estimated Area "St? 6 " Tota, Area no C t°a, n re r ady by Cadavers, exclusive of ' J. included under " Lakes', &e PreeedUM Columns any of the other ; i receding columns. Headings. North Auckland Auckland Acres. 2,704,664 Acres. 3,670,037 Acres. 514,361 Acres. 11,362 Acres. 568,000 2,839,997 1,273,424 Acres. Acres. 40,000 625,834 150,839 Acres. 350,070 Acres. 4,478,200 1,221,418 998,435 578,831 184,658 6,188 13,863 795,139 9,047,340 Hawke's Bay .. 2,506,377 437,197 136,440 5,508,900 Taranaki 554,965 723,974 259,097 67,947 205,823 2,404,500 Wellington 3,358,847 890,432 756,625 920,393 16,532 26,676 1,500,146 36,500 195,138 296,780 7,051,000 Nelson Marlborough 611,280 779,253 1,646,206 334,490 30,629 1,146,072 34,364 60,183 100,572 273,561 4,715,000 1,497,945 3,299 18,077 2,768,000 Westland 151,386 309,792 1,839,623 3,877,811 306,969 3,258 750,000 140,500 154,250 445,692 351,858 47,056 3,863,878 9,478,045 Canterbury 3,573,484 1,390,244 Otago 1,991,353 614,571 5,557,044 6,990 573,600 263,370 88,072 9,095,000 Southland 1,620,169 3,574,098 1,648,987 14,169 626,479 140,739 257,728 7,882,369 Totals 17,851,778 13,591,041 13,591,041 19,411,473 593,964 6,471,293 3,307,515 I 2,244,564 2,820,604 66,292,232 * Included in Auckland figures.

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Table 2.—Lands Selected during the Year ended 31st March, 1920.

Table 3. —Lands held on Lease at 31st March, 1920.

Land District. Cash Deferred oasn - Payment. No. Area. No. Area. Renewable Leases. No. Area. Occupation with Small Right of Purchase. Grazing-runs. No. Area. No. Area. Pastoral- runs. No. Area. Pastoral, Licenses Mining Districts Mining Districts rtJSL™ unde°r Special ° C S e f Regulations. -Leases. No. Area. No. j Area, i Miscellaneous Leases, &c. No. Area. Education Endowments. No. Area. : No. Totals. Area. No. Area. : Ko - Area. No. Area. North Auckland Auckland Hawke's Bay. . Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough . . Westland Canterbury . . Otago Southland Totals.. Acres. ..19 764 3 .. i 64 789 31 2 2 13 i 1,421 ■ 2 98 325 ! 44 .. i i ; .. 3 57 i"4 58 .. '7 21 9 25 270 1 17 249 4 253 3,957 94 Acres. | Acres. 76 111 23,932 270 216 ! 40,845 I.. 79 31,731 495 30 '■ 11,490 359 189 36,840 18 15,546 10 2,879 1 239 68 114 21,075 84 45 7,085 758 43 13,891 2,110 856 205,553 Acres, j 23 6,131 18 9,173 4 4,007 5 285 3 845 1 88 5 1,059 59 . 21,588 1 9 1 11 Acres. 2,900 122,360 3,177 128,437 Acres. 4 105,300 2 47,600 6 80,080 7 81,757 19 314,737 Acres. Acres. Acres. .... 1 64 15 829 9 1,818 11 71 38 8,167 21 14,965 24 2,898 ..45 2,496 27 9,385 .. .. 47 13,264 18 2,003 34 , 9,298 5 18 I 58 11,847 ! 38 24,638 4 84 80 6,926 1 46 47 6,597 70 20,501 22 283 431 94,630 ! Acres. 172 6 268 394 102 2 1 75 381 93 1 1 39 104 3 305 ! 186 2 135 ! 166 10 12,646 : 127 24 | 13,356 I 1,839 I I Acres. 31,796 64,301 46,698 20,312 40,305 38,196 111,085 69,060 248,547 |99,606 35,246 805,152

(Note. —Other endowment lands are not included.) I I Deferred Payment. Lease in Perpetuity. No. Area. No. Area. Renewable I eise Occupation with Renewable .Lease. Eight Qf Purchase No. Area. No. Area. I Sma runs aZing " PastoraI Euns - No. | Area. No. Area. Pastoral Licenses in Mining Districts. Mining Districts Land Occupation Leases. Perpetual Leases. Miscellaneous Leases and Licenses. Education Endowments. Totals. Land Districts. Area. No. Area. No. No. Area. No. No. Area. No. Area. No Area. No. i Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. North Auckland Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki AVellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 88 362 142 42 189 49 23 16 131 38 77 Acres. 6,609 71,397 53,105 5,432 40,475 14,903 14,528 2,9)9 17,932 5,138 14,724 517 491 517 709 1,159 400 564 370 1,499 1,353 588 Acres. 84,089 146,515 154,309 ; 190,073 168,657 141,483 184,065 43,659 252,374 285,221 102,431 Acres. 471 99,197 1,054 924 204,179 1,318 507 206,050 306 244 i 73,321 636 843 j 142,327 688 524 242,663 177 229 135,302 86 389 ! 53,213 59 751 ; 340,338 20 658 174,660 232 335 i 68,653 351 i i L Ac-res. Acres. Acres. 192,848 3 8,197 10 6,685 I .. 446,949 16 80,619 9 111,988 289 116,472 101 283,470 16 80,837 .. 281,966 7 7,731 .. 258,068 45 47,934 14 28,115 .. 56,917 9 16.754 5 235,529 291 28,137 114 293,996 48 824,680 .. 10,705 .. .. 93 1,411,962 341 2,722 144 479,791 131 2,789,691 42,943 401 1,456,551 260 3,449,449 .. 70.087 20 64,989 81 1,235,300 j .. Acres. Acres. 5 239 40 92.612 207 8,438 6 :: ::] :: S 61,707 27 ' 909 4 2. : 200 7 7.1.277 89 741 2 65 314 9,399 107 56 1,904 52 ! Acres. 4,470 ! 275 877 852 47 ; 259 2,127 I 290 .. | 727 470 [ 514 52 258 110 ] 987 1,886 I 822 11,006 1,325 3,643 ! 503 I Acres. 129,634 59,952* 107,615 16.830 80,176 154,040 46.165 252,087 242,315 182,217 80,680 Acres. 529 41,381 2,992 189 I 39,509 4,663 242 87,062 2,091 .437 i 50,318 2,371 511 106,095 4,176 121 7,434 2,121 40 1,400 1,371 87 13,568 2,433 231 71,205 3,794f 428 44,753 | 5,136 783 J340,803 I 2,846 Acres. 573,349 1,263,035 1,088,967 632,798 871,847 932,809 1.528,525 1,859,321 4,198, 254f 5.681,337 1,983,214 • Totals 1,157 247,242 8,167 1,752,876 5,875 1,744,903 j 4,947 | 1,507,814 860 2,740,032 667 10,174,236 921 224,596 700 21,830 290 24,688 6,812 1,351,711 3,598 '803,528 33,994 120,593,456 * Includes Thermal Districts Springs leases. t Includes Cheviot Estate.

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Table 4. —Lands disposed of under the Land for Settlement Acts to the 31st March, 1920.

Table 5. —Endowment Lands leased and administered by Land Boards at 31st March, 1920.

Table 6. —Total Revenue and Arrears at 31st March, 1920.

Approximate Cost oj Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (700 copies), £60.

Authority : Mabctjs F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92o.

Price Is.

District. Not Area acquired including ascertained Surplus. * % p. 175 e SJ a> JS S 3 C o o ii ssffl £ Area of Land un- ! Total Area pure let, including Casli or made Land forfeited, to Dat< surrendered, . or resumed and : o S not relet, and g | also Land not J Area. yet offered for | £ Selection. £ phased for Freehold Total Lands leased to Date. '• " | Price. £ 2 »„„,, Annual realized. f J Area ' Rental. Area. Annual Rental. Rent and other Payments received during the Year. Total Ileceipts from Inception to 81 March, 1920. North Auckland Auckland Hawke's Bay.. Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough . . Westland Canterbury . . Otago Southland Acres. 31,828 310,371 249,304 9,532 102,501 39,388 228,358 3,230 582,935 247,732 94,167 Acres. 636 6,715 2,623 90 910 855 2,683 66 4,427 2,811 970 Acres. 2,5(H) 74,772 155 399 1,469 740 931 3,265 632 [ Acres. 143 I ,349 502 100,629 100 18,852 20 1,052 97 6,792 5 966 28 4,557 2 192 174 12,833 36 4,976 58 8,127 £ 1.7,564 206,240 114,522 24,240 71,1.61 2,153 15,650 116 96,069 22,599, 26,855 215 807 713 93 673 47 470 22 1,800 1,006 321 Acres. 27,337 128,255 227,828 8,235 94,400 36,097 220,187 2,972 564,744 236,670 84,438 £ 10,262 32,905 81,141 6,683 56,330 3,679 33,147 268 153,771 65,424 19,331 £ 7,785 66,526 109,646 7,739 62,617 3,392 33,306 540 162,512 67,508 22,916 £ 77,051 544,405 1,178,347 72,427 300,046 28,652 438,422 10,362 1,909,320 873,151 253,300 Totals .. 1,899,346 22,786 84,869 1,165:160,325 597,169, 6,167 4,631,163 462,941 544,487 4,685,483

N ational Endowments. Education Endowments, Other Endo' rments. Total. Land District. a 3 Area. Annual Pent. I iron Annual a Ale ' 1 - Bent, 'A i \ 'g Area. Acres. 15 4,149 6 1,873 20 9,724 23 11,552 446 16,545 Annual Bent. Area. Annual Pent. North Auckland. . Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 330 49.1 118 171 119 792 207 993 158 717 243 Acres. 92,860 250,507 224,003 70,010 68,920 316,436 544,820 491,339 1,672,772 2,545,970 764,993 £ 4,871 6,274 1 I,000 4,801 4,310 6,191 5,749 3,884 41,176 36,618 5,349 ! Acres, j £ 529 41,38.1 4,551 189; 39,509 2,798 242j 87,062| 13,060 437J 50,318' 8,367 511 106,095! 17,146 12]i 7,434 l 598 40| 1,400| 575 87| 1.3,568 520 231 71,205 28,225 428! 44,753' 5,653 783 340,803 ! 19,679 £ 150 44 840 376 I ,438 874 686 360 628 653 1,359 247 1,088 540 1,210 1,041 Acres. 138,390 291,889 311,065 130,052 186,507 340,415 546,220 508,865 1,760,876 2,766,550 1,218,417 £ 9,572 9,116 24,060 14,008 21,832 8,227 6,324 5,007 71,182 51,406 26,986 8 3,958 151 16,899 65 175,827 15' 112,621 603 1,781 9,135 1,958 Totals 3598 803,528 101,172 I 749 353,148 16,325 8,686 8,199,306 247,720 ; 43:.9! 7,042,630 130,223

District. Ordinary Lands i Cheviot National ; Education Other Crown for j V.'iYi*; Endowment : Endowment Endowment Lands. Settlement. Jj3care - Lands. Lands. Lands. I I Mis- Total ccllaneous. Revenue. Total Arrears. North Auckland .. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Nelson Marlborough Wesl land Canterbury Otago Southland £ £ £ £ £ £ 35,002 7,785 .. 4,131 4,587 227 100,578 66,526 .. 7,034 2,949 81 106,439 109,646 .. 10,490 11,873 2 65,366 7,739 .. 4,397 7,873 880 163,795 62,617 .. 5,447 20,302 2,037 8,818 3,392 .. 5,778 590 14,542 14,732 33,306 .. 6,125 575 7,348 540 .. 1.1,768 999 1,345 31,371 162,512 18,621 38,264 30,099 1,592 40,546 67,508 .. 35,992 5,985 10,001 26,578 22,916 .. 5,198 19,903 2,040 £ £ 4,131 7,034 10,490 4,397 5,447 5,778 6,125 11,758 38,264 35,992 5,198 £ 4,587 2,949 11,873 7,873 20,302 590 575 999 30,099 5,985 19,903 £ £ 6,506 58,238 31,676 208,844 25,450 203,900 3,272 89,527 61,392 315,590 1,189 34,309 816 55,554 457 22,447 33,453 315,912 24,208 184,240 26,095 102,730 £ 4,864 14,506 5,001 4,599 12,642 2,478 1,770 510 3,870 1,173 388 18,621 Grand totals .. 600,573 544,487 18,621 134,614 105,735 32,747 214,514 j 1,651,291 51,801