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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1937 Session I, C-01

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1937. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Presentec[, to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

CONTENTS.

Genebal Report :— page Appendix II: — Review of Past Year . . .. 2 Land for Settlements— page Legislation .. . . .. 2 Summary of Settlements established .. 13 Land-development .. .. .. . . f2j) Extracts from Reports of Commissioners of Small Farms .. .. . . 4 Crown Lands — Special Settlement of Inferior Lands .. . . S North Auckland .. .. .. .. 21 Lands for Selection .. . . .. 6 Auckland .. .. .. 22 Receipts .. .. .. .. 6 Gisborne .. .. .. 22 Postponements, Remissions, and Arrears of Rent (§) Hawke's Bay .. .. .. 22 Rebates .. .. .. .. 6 Taranaki . . .. .. 22 National Endowment .. . . 6 Wellington . . .. .. .. 22 Educational Endowment .. .. .. 6 Nelson .. .. . . .. 22 Lands reserved for various Purposes .. .. 7 Marlborough .. . . .. 22 Expenditure .. .. .. 7 West,land \ .. .. .. .. 22 <nanterbu*w .. .. .. .. 23 Otago .. .. .. .. .. 23 Southland .. .. .. 23 Appendix 111 :— Land-drainage Operations .. .. .. 24 Appendix I : — Appendix IV :— Settlement of Crown Lands — Extracts from Report on Small Farms Scheme North Auckland .. .. .. 8 by A. B. Jordan, Superintendent of Land Auckland .. .. .. .. 8 Development, Te Kuiti .. .. 31 Gisborne .. .. .. .. 9 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. 9 Tables : — Taranaki .. .. .. .. 9 Table 1. —Lands of the Dominion, Position of Wellington .. .. .. 10 (approximately) .. .. 35 Nelson . . .. .. .. 10 „ 2. —Selections during the Year .. 36 Marlborough . . .. .. 10 „ CS^—All Lands held on Lease .. 36 Westland .. .. .. .. 11 „ 4. —Lands-for-settlement Lands .. 37 Canterbury .. .. .. ..11 „ —Endowment Lands leased and ad- 37 Otago .. .. .. .. ..11 ministered by Land Boards Southland .. .. .. 12 „ 6.—Receipts, Arrears, and Postponements 38

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist September, 1937. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report on the settlement of Crown lands for the year ended 31st March, 1937, together with particulars of the special settlement of inferior lands, of the development-work that is being carried out on unoccupied Crown and settlement lands, and of the operations under the Small-farms Scheme. I have, &c., W. Robertson, Under-Secretary. The Hon. Frank Langstone, Minister of Lands,

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REPORT.

Review of Past Yeak. The climatic conditions in most districts have during the past year been generally favourable for farming operations. While the rainfall was unusually heavy during the summer months, taken all round the year could be described as a good one from a productive point of view. An important feature of the year in so far as those engaged in the pastoral were concerned was the succession of very successful wool sales, the demand for all classes of wool proving to be exceptionally keen. The prices for fat lambs, beef cattle, and other classes of stock have been quite satisfactory and have contributed towards .placing pastoralist-s in an improved position. The dairy season has been a good one from a productive point of view, and as the result of an improved price for butterfat the average dairy-farmer is in a better position financially than has been the case for some years. In the early part of the season the prospects of those engaged in cropping were very promising ; but owing to an unseasonable summer in the grain-growing districts the crops suffered severe damage in some cases. Land revenue shows a substantial increase on last year's figures, while arrears of rent have decreased. A large number of applications under the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act, 1936, have been received, and the committees in the various districts are engaged in making inspections to facilitate adjustments. When the rehabilitation investigation has been completed and the adjustments have been made the accounts should be on a sound footing and Crown tenants generally should be in a position to face the future with confidence. The Department has continued to give careful attention to the necessity for bush-preservation and the protection of high and steep country generally, and in this most important matter is working in close co-operation with the State Forest Service. Far too much country has in the past been cleared of its forest cover in an endeavour to increase farming areas. It must be frankly admitted that the bush has been destroyed on hundreds of thousands of acres of steep country which at the time was regarded as suitable for settlement, but which painful experience has shown should never have been touched. Such country will not be opened for settlement in the future, and already arrangements have been made for extensive areas of Grown land to be set aside as permanent State forests and as scenic reserves. An earnest endeavour will also be made to repair certain mistakes made in the past, when pastoral licenses were granted more or less as a matter of course over extensive areas of high country, much of which in its natural state was extremely valuable for water-conservation and general protection purposes. It is proposed to make a careful review of the run country in certain localities, and to refrain whenever possible from granting any further pastoral licenses over lands that would have been better left unleased in the first place. Selections of Crown and settlement lands on all tenures during the year totalled 463,178 acres. This subject is dealt with more fully at a later stage of this report. At the 31st March the tenants on the books of the Department, excluding those established under the small-farms scheme, numbered 36,563, occupying a total area of approximately 18,650,000 acres. Pastoral runs account for 8,843,540 acres, while 1,830,935 acres of purchased estates are held under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act. Legislation. The Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1936, contains thirty-one clauses dealing with Crown lands, reserves, &c. Land-development. The operations of the Lands Development Board so far as unoccupied Crown land is concerned have been confined mainly to a continuation of work on the Galatea Estate, in the Auckland District, and on the Kakariki Estate, in Hawke's Bay, the net expenditure on developmental work having been £16,262 on the former and £12,453 on the latter. The Board has not given consideration to the undertaking of any work on new blocks of unoccupied Crown land, but extensive rehabilitation operations are controlled by the Small Farms Board and are reported upon under the heading of " Small-farms Scheme.'' The number of Crown tenants who have been assisted by way of loans to develop their own properties now totals 494, the amount advanced during the year being £7,915,

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Pursuant to section 10 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929, the following summary of operations up to 31st March, 1937, is recorded :— (a) Ihe Several Areas of Unoccupied Crown Lands in respect of which Development-works have been undertaken during the Year. Auckland Land District:— Ngakuru Block, of 14,755 acres of light pumice land, fifteen miles from Rotorua : Developmentwork commenced in February, 1930, and results have been highly satisfactory. There are now thirty-nine dairy-farms at Ngakuru (including the sharemilkers' farms), with an aggregate area of 7,830 acres. The number of cows carried last season was 1,710. Galatea Estate, of 22,326 acres, near Murupara : Pending the completion of developmental work and the offering of this land for selection, the major portion is being successfully farmed as a sheep and cattle station. As at 31st March, 1937, the station stock consisted of 20,504 sheep and 5,902 cattle. The remainder of block comprises ten sharemilking farms and a demonstration farm. The stock carried by these eleven farms consists of 633 dairy cows, 20 bulls, 20 horses, 320 pigs. Towards the end of the year twenty-two sections with an area of 2,391 acres were offered for selection, and of these, sixteen sections with an area of 1,777 acres were selected on renewable lease. Particulars of the developmental work being undertaken are given in Appendix 111 in the report of the Land Drainage Branch of the Department. Hawke's Bay Land District:— Kakariki Estate, a purchased estate of 17,688 acres at Kotemaori: This block is intended to provide about ten holdings for sheep-farming. An area of 9,291 acres of new grass has been established, and live-stock carried is as follows : 15,800 sheep, 1,360 cattle, 32 horses. A successful farming year has been experienced, a net profit resulting after charging interest on all capital expenditure. Taranaki Land District:— lapuwae Estate, of 3,350 acres, a purchased estate in the King-country : This block is estimated to provide approximately eleven mixed farms. Two. thousand two hundred and sixty acres have been developed, and bush sickness has been successfully dealt with. The season has ended with a net farming profit after meeting interest 011 all capital expenditure. Live-stock consists of 5,730 sheep and 850 cattle.

(b) Total Cost of Development-works carried out to 31st March, 1937.

In addition to the expenditure on blocks set out above, expenditure lias been incurred on tlie roading, survey, &c., of various areas which are being developed by the settlers themselves. The total expenditure £386,871 for development, stock, roading, and surveys (apart from roading-costs payable out of Public Works Fund) up to the 31st March, 1937, provides for 616 farms,

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Expenditure on E £P eil diture onj Total Expen- Net Development Development diture on Expenditure on alock - 3j st jiarcj, during Year Development Live-stock as lqoii ' ended 31st to 31st March, at 31st March, OD ' March, 1937. j 1937. 1937. North Auckland Land District. Wharekohe Block .. .. .. j 11,535 | 1,616 J 13,151 [ , £ Auckland Land District. Ngakuru Block .. .. .. 84,698 25 84,723 1,402 Te Kauwhata Block .. .. .. 32,176 .. 32,176 Onepu Block* .. .. .. .. 20,120 .. 20J20 Koromatua Block .. .. .. 4,163 303 4,466 Galatea Estate .. .. .. 82,834 16,262 99,'096 5^452 Whangamarino Block* .. .. .. 8,445 .. 8,445 Mangatutu Block .. .. .. 3,715 .. 3'715 Pongakawa Block* .. .. .. 3,764 .. 943 Arohena Block .. .. .. .. 207 207 Hawke's Bay Land District. Kakariki Estate .. .. .. | 30,398 | 12,453 | 42,851 | Taranaki Land District. Tapuwae Estate .. .. .. 13,873 9 13,882 9,686 295,721 30,875 326,596 17,483 * Whangamarino, Pongakawa, and part of Onepu Blocks taken over by Small Farms Board.

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(c) and (d) Developed Allotments disposed of.

(e) The Total Amount advanced to Crown Tenants for the Development, of their Holdings, the Number of Advances, and the Purpose for which such Advances have been made. Number of settlers assisted .. . ■ • • • • • • 494 Loans approved — £ Improvements .. •• •• •• 216,865 Stock 8.597 Total .. •• •• •• •• •• £.225,462 Amounts actually advanced — £ Improvements .. .. •• •• •• •• 176,925 Stock .. .. •• •• •• •• 1)813 Total £1 TO >738 Small-farms Scheme. During the year there has been comparatively little extension of the area included in the smallfarms scheme, the main item being the furtherance of the land-development operations, which have been very successful. The principal reason for not launching out on new work has been the need for the Board to take into account the fact that three-eighths of the wages-cost of development has, from Ist June last, been charged to capital, and, therefore, must be loaded on to the land. As mentioned in the report of last year, much of the land being developed or available for development is " marginal " land which cannot be developed economically by ordinary settlement, and which cannot bear any portion of the labour-costs ; and the Board could not conscientiously undertake additional work on such lands, knowing that there would be losses of capital. Several of the development blocks were completed sufficiently to permit of their being subdivided and the sections placed under the individual management of the occupiers, who were allotted herds for milking. In no case has a tenure been given, but, where the revenue is sufficient, the occupiers have been allowed to collect a proportion of the dairy cheques ; in other cases, the men have remained on a wage basis of £4 per week, less 10s. per week rent for cottage. The carrying-capacity and production have increased enormously in the case of most of the blocks, and this will" be seen from a perusal of the reports of the Superintendent of Land Development and the Chief Drainage Engineer in respect of the blocks under their control. For example, six blocks under the control of the latter have produced 223,961 lb. of butterfat, representing an increase in the case of each individual block of from 50 per cent, to 100 per cent, over the previous year. In the four main blocks mentioned in last year's report butterfat-production has increased in value by 80 per cent., wool by 168 per cent., and pigs by 115 per cent. Full details of production will be found in the appendices. . Of the individual holdings settled, apart from the larger development blocks, be said safely that, generally, they are a success. In every case of the purchase of " one-man " farms the Board was extremely conservative in the matter of valuations, and a fair price only was paid, which is, no doubt the real reason for the rapidity with which the tenants are finding their feet and beginning to pay their way. In a number of cases in the North Auckland and Auckland Districts men are milking from thirty to forty cows (in some exceptional cases the figures are higher still) with capital charges of approximately £1,000 only ; and these men in ordinary conditions cannot fail to prosper. Such properties as these are, unfortunately, not now forthcoming ; in fact, it was found during the year that so small a percentage of properties offered was measuring up to the Board's standards of valuation and carrying-capacity, as well as complying with the requirement that their purchase should not throw the vendors" on to the labour market, that the Board withdrew its invitation to applicants to locate and submit particulars of individual farms suitable for purchase. This was a big disappointment to the applicants, but much expense in making fruitless inspections, both by the Board's officers and by the applicants themselves, was saved.

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Number of Rental Annual Rent Block. Allotments Area. j Tenure. Capital or Interest disposed of. Value. receivable. ! ! -— Acres. £ £ s. d. Wharekohe " 996 RL - 9 > 595 f79 lb _ ° . fEX. 8,325 416 5 0 TeKauwhata .. .. •• 6,165 369 1 6 0neml * 13 1,356 EX. 12,285 614 5 0 Koromatua .. .. •• •• 4 538 EX. 2,900 145 0 0 Mangatutu .. .. •• •• 5 771 EX. 4,680 234 0 0 Ngakura .. .. ■■ • • 20 3,155 EX. 26,491 1,324 11 0 Total 71 8,551 .. 70,441 3,582 17 6 * In addition, eleven sections selected under small-farms scheme.

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The pakihi development-work in the Westport District has continued fairly satisfactorily, and over 1,000 acres in a compact block are now in hand. The results to date are encouraging, so far as they go, but the farming of this class of country is more or less experimental, and the Board has decided not to extend the work any further until there has been some actual experience of how it will stand up to dairying for a season or two. If dairy stock does well and the land retains its pasture there is ample land of this type in the Nelson Land District for future expansion. The largest individual area under development by the Board is the Ahuriri Lagoon, 7,595 acres, near Napier, which was raised from the sea during the earthquake of 1931. This is being drained! roaded, and developed, with a view to its ultimate subdivision and settlement. The main gravity outfall has been completed, the electric pumps being in operation, and the whole area behind the stop-banks being dewatered. The subsidiary drainage of the 5,000 acres (approximately) to the north of the main gravity outfall is being proceeded with, and the ring-fencing of this area is being hastened with a view to stocking as soon as possible. On portions of the southern end the salt content has decreased sufficiently to sow grass during last autumn. Two hundred and eighty acres is being put in permanent pasture, and 24 acres is being sown in barley and oats. An area of approximately 750 acres on which it is not yet considered advisable to fill in subsidiary drains is being sown in temporary pasture to provide grazing for stock, arid thus check weed-growth. The area south of the main gravity outfall. 2,000 acres approximately, is being ring-fenced preparatory to stocking. Experimental cropping will be carried out next spring on an area of 60 acres to serve as a guide in the development of further areas in the future. Altogether the work is proceeding very satisfactorily. The original small-farms-scheme holdings of 5 acres to 10 acres are gradually diminishing in numbers, due mainly to the occupiers resuming their former occupations, although in some cases where the terms of the agreements to lease are expiring the Board has decided not to renew, because of the uneconomic nature of the holdings. Altogether twenty-seven of these holdings have been closed during the year. Since the beginning of the scheme 810 men have received sustenance allowances from the Employment Promotion Fund, but as at the 31st March, 1937, only 101 men were on sustenance, indicating a steady improvement in the revenue derived by the occupiers. Results of the Scheme to the 31st March, 1937, are tabulated as under :— Operations under Original Scheme (mostly 5-acre and 10-acre Sections). Holdings established .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ Number of such holdings since closed .. .. .. .. .. 135 Share milkers' cottage loans approved .. .. .. .. .. 265 Share milkers' cottage loans repaid .. . . .. .. .. 22 Operations since Small Farms Board constituted. Number. , A Area , (Acres). Individual holdings established .. .. .. .. 365 24,522 Sections included in blocks under development .. .. 594 53,799 Area under development, but not sectionized .. .. .. 5 761 Share milkers' cottage loans approved .. . . .. 66 Average number of men employed on development-work during year .. 1,067 Total number who have received sustenance .. .. .. ~ 810 Number in receipt of sustenance at 31st March, 1937 .. .. .. 101 Further details in regard to operations under the small-farms scheme are given in Appendices 111 and IV in the reports of the Chief Drainage Engineer, and of the Superintendent of Land Development, Te Kuiti, respectively. Full statements of accounts are published in parliamentary paper 8.-l [Part IV]. Special Settlement of Inferior Lands. The following summary of the lands dealt with during the year is furnished in accordance with the provisions of section 223 (14) of the Land Act, 1924. (а) Aggregate area of land set apart : Nil. (б) Number of allotments and aggregate area disposed of : Nil. The total number of allotments taken up and the area held as at 31st March, 1937, was thirty-five allotments, 7,256 acres.

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Lands for Selection. During the year 463,178 acres were taken up on various tenures, the number of selections being J,342 under all headings. These figures include some 707 sections, comprising altogether an area of 64,813 acres taken up under miscellaneous leases and licenses, so that the selections on permanent tenures numbered 635 sections, covering a total area of 398,365 acres, "lhe following table gives the selections of Crown lands for the last five years : Selections under all Tenures. Year ending Number. (Acres). 31st March, 1933 1.354 280,518 31st March, 1934 .. . . ■ ■ ..1,118 285,166 31st March, 1935 .. .. •• •• 1,036 302,915 31st March, 1936 .. .. •• ..1,037 210,026 31st March, 1937 •• 1,342 463,178 The total of 463,178 acres selected during the year includes lands taken up under both permanent and temporary tenures, and also town and suburban lands. The permanent selections of rural lan s only were as follows : —

The lands dealt with above comprise both areas offered for the first time and areas which became available for reoffering through various reasons. The figures for entirely new rural areas selected during the year are as follows : —

Receipts. The receipts for the year from all sources (excluding, of course, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account receipts) totalled £1,402,596, an increase of £126,086 on last year's figures. The receipts for the last five years have been as follows: Year ending 31st March, 1933, £742,820 ; 1934, £1,020,198 ; 1935, £1,259,790 ; 1936, £1,276,510 ; 1937, £1,402,596. Postponements, Remissions, and Abreabs of Rent. Rents, the payment of which remained postponed at the 31st March, amounted to £98,593. Arrears of'rent at the 31st March (including arrears in respect of the current half-yearly charge) totalled £94-2,858, while remissions for the year totalled £170,977. Rebates. For prompt payment of rent 17,195 Crown tenants were granted the usual rebates in terms of section 123 of the Land Act, 1924, and section 59 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1925. These rebates amounted to a total of £41,798. National Endowment. Of the area in the national endowment, 6,449,230 acres were held under lease or license at the 31st March by 4,311 tenants paying an annual rental of £137,582, while a very large area (partly, however, covered by existing leases) had been set aside as provisional State forests, tor further particulars re the national endowment see parliamentary paper C.—l 4. Educational Endowments. An area of approximately 797,292 acres of education endowments under the administration of the various Land Boards is leased to some 4,147 tenants, who pay a total animal rental of £125,610

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Number of Rural Total Area Class of Land. Sections selected. selected. Acres. Crown and national-endowment land .. ■ • 214 215,158 Settlement land .. ■■ •• •• „ ' Education reserves, &c. .. •• •• •• ' Grand totals .. • • ■ • • • 282 225,422

Number of New Rural j Total Area selected Class of Land. Sections selected. for the First Time. Acres. Crown and national-endowment land .. 64 59,853 Settlement land .. •• •• •• > Educational reserves, &c. .. ■ ■ • • • • '' ' Grand totals . • • • • • • •

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Land reserved for various Purposes. Under the provisions of section 360 of the Land Act, 1924, and section 71 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1925, various areas of Crown and settlement land were permanently reserved during the year. The reservations made totalled seventy-four, covering an area of approximately 4,951 acres. A summary of work carried out under the heading is given below. Purpose of Number of Area. Reserve. Reservations. a. e. p. Aerodrome .. .. .. .. 5 587 0 39 Aerodrome reserve, addition to .. 1 28 0 23 Cemetery . . . . .. .. 2 3 3 36 Gravel .. .. .. .. .. 5 18 0 23 High-school site .. .. .. .. 1 6 20• 30 Landing reserve .. .. . . . . 1 9 10 Plantation .. .. .. .. 20 1,080 2 18-60 Public-hall site .. .. .. .. 3 1 1 39 •60 Public-pound site . . . . .. .. 1 0 0 30 Public-school site .. .. .. .. 7 18 1 22 Public-school site, addition to .. .. 3 1 2 07-01 Railway afforestation .. .. .. 1 2,773 1 24-10 Recreation .. .. .. .. 21 386 2 31-92 Resting-place for travelling stock .. .. 3 35 2 25 •50 74 4,951 1 0-03 The above does not include areas that have been vested in the Crown as public reserves in town subdivisions pursuant to the provisions of section 16 of the Land Act, 1924.

Expenditure. Summary of Expenditure approved during the Year ended 31st March, 1937.

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Name of Vote or Account. Net Amount ! Gross Recoveries I * et voted. | Expenditure. recoveries. Expenditure. Vote, Lands and Survey— £ £ £ £ Subdivision I .. .. .. .. .. 188,900 276,921 90,869 186,052 Subdivision II .. .. .. .. .. 205,558 208,834 40 208,794 Subdivision III .. .. .. .. .. 12,820 7,106 52 7,054 Total, Vote. Lands and Survey .. .. 407,278 492,861 90,961 401,900 Vote, Land for Settlements .. .. .. .. 400,000 169,983 95 169,888 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account: Vote, Expenses 91,500 73,008 .. 73^008 of Management Vote, Swamp Land Drainage — Hauraki Plains District .. .. .. .. 25,710 30,505 7,919 22,586 Swamp Land Drainage Districts .. .. .. 4,290 2,705 326 2 379 Vote, Settlement of Unemployed Workers .. .. 425,000 305,621 213,605 92^016 Vote, Dairy Industry Loans ' .. . . . . . . 90,000 30,510 !. 30^510 Totals •• •• •• 1,443,778 1,105,193 312,906 792,287 Other Accounts. Land for Settlements— Expenditure from capital proceeds of the sale of Crown and National 8,633 8,633 Endowment lands Interest and other charges .. .. .. .. .. 87,120 .. 87,120 Expenditure under special Acts of Legislature—Section 295 (2) Land Act, 6,853 . . 6^853 1924 : Administration expenses of national-endowment lands Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account . . .. .. .. 541 s 646 . . 54] 646 General Purposes Account : Ellesmere Land Drainage Act, 1905, section 6 439 . . '439 Expenditure approved by the Hon. the Minister of Finance from Unauthorized 147 .. 147 Expenditure Account Refunds of revenue,'Deposit Account expenditure, expenditure under special 25,451 .. 25,451 Acts of the Legislature Totals .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,775,482 312,906 1,462,576

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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS. EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS.

NORTH AUCKLAND. (W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The weather conditions during the past year have been generally favourable to the farming community. The continued rainfall throughout the district was responsible for a good growth of grass, and consequent on the mild winter the dairy herds came into profit in good condition. The production of butterfat, cheese, and wool showed a marked increase, as did also the returns of all classes of fat and store stock. The guaranteed price of butterfat has been beneficial to the dairy-farmers, and this combined with increased production has placed them in a better position financially. Wool, fat lambs, store stock, and dairy cows commanded satisfactory on the market this season, and present appearances point to higher prices ruling for good-quality dairy cows and heifers when close to profit. Top-dressing has again been the keynote to success, thus ensuring the upkeep of pastures and also maintaining the Department's securities. The wisdom of making refunds for the purpose of purchasing manures has been borne out by the increased revenue received. An abundance of hay and ensilage has been made this season, thus ensuring a plentiful supply of winter feed. _ _ ... . . , It is now recognized by dairy-farmers that the raising of pigs as a sideline is a big factor m building up revenue, but more attention should be given to proper housing and better feeding. The chilled-beef trade is rapidly becoming very popular, and when proper equipment in all overseas vessels is installed more advantage will be taken by producers in the North. The outlook for the citrus and passion-fruit grower looks decidedly hopeful this year, as in addition to a passion-fruit pulping factory at Kerikeri, an up-to-date lemon-curing factory has just been completed. Flooding of the low-lying areas occasioned hardship to a number of tenants, but there was less damage to grassland compared with the previous year. No fresh blocks of Crown lands were opened for selection during the year, but isolated sections amounting to approximately 8,000 acres were selected under various tenures. Several mangrove-reclamation areas have been stop-banked and handed over to this Department by the Public Works Department for disposal. Negotiations are in progress with adjoining settlers for selection of these lands, it being generally found that " run off " areas are essential for successful farming of mangrove flats. Advances for land-development are still being made, and those settlers to whom loans have been granted have in a majority of cases sufficient pasture established to enable them to meet their rent and interest charges. The prevalence of ragwort is causing some anxiety in the North, but settlers realize the danger, and with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture and the County Councils it is being kept well in check. White butterfly, which caused a lot of damage last year to root crops, is not so apparent this year. On the whole there appears to be a brighter outlook and more confidence amongst the Crown tenants, and this should be more apparent when the adjustments under the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act are completed.

AUCKLAND. (K. M. Gbaham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Following a satisfactory summer season for dairying last year this district experienced a wonderfully good winter, for," though there were heavy frosts, fine weather prevailed and the pastures did not suffer to any great extent. The spring came in with an abundance of feed, and frequent rains throughout the whole of the dairying season have kept pastures green and there has been if anything an over abundance of feed for stock. . The sheep-farmers have also experienced a splendid season, despite some late shearing owing to wet and unfavourable weather whilst shearing was in progress. Good lambing was the general experience, and the percentages of lambing were in many cases exceptionally high. The prevailing high prices for wool, lamb, and beef cattle have all contributed towards making the 1936-37 season one of the best recorded. The usual demand for suitable dairy-farms and for farms where mixed farming can be carried on has been consistent throughout the year.

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GISBORNE. (H. L. Primrose, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) With wool-prices very substantially on the high side and stock prices very satisfactory, I have pleasure in reporting one of the best years for sheep-farmers for a long period. Taken all through, the year has been a fairly wet one, and the summer months did not altogether live up to their reputation for lengthy spells of bright sunshine. Still, feed was very plentiful, and that is a big thing for the farming community generally. As surmised last year, when high prices ruled for breeding ewes, most farmers who go in for the fat-lamb trade and have to buy in fresh ewes each year, found they had to pay very dearly for their requirements. The Waikato demand has been partly responsible for this, and the trade with that part continues to improve, approximately 350,000 sheep from this district finding a ready market there. There seems to have been a tendency for more top-dressing of hill-country lands, and I expect that the wisdom of this course will be more fully appreciated in the next few years, especially if present prices continue. There is no doubt that in many instances that have come under my notice the policy has been a paying one. A local industry that seems to be making quite good progress is the growing of lemons and sweet oranges. Evidence goes to show that the latter can be produced on a commercial scale. Our fertile loam soils produce big trees carrying heavy annual crops for which a ready market is found. Shipments of lemons increased by nearly 100 per cent, and over 2,926 cases were shipped last season. There is quite a good opening here for many Crown tenants with small areas of suitable soil. Another feature is the steady improvement being effected on blackberry-infested country, principally as a result of the use of goats. This is very noticeable round about the Wairoa District. In the coastal area north of Gisborne some parts of the country are suffering considerably from erosion during heavy rain. The area so affected is rather extensive, and it is a matter that must eventually aifect valuations of properties. In such country the rainfall is very heavy, reaching up to 100 in. towards the main ridges in Matakaoa and Waiapu Counties. Facial eczema was much less prevalent than in the two previous years, but has by no means died out yet. Dairy-farmers have had plenty of feed, and butterfat returns have kept up for a longer period. All through the year there has been quite a steady demand for medium-sized sheep-farms, and also for dairy-farms. Generally, the prospects of the farming community in this district have not- been so bright for years.

HAWKE'S BAY. (F. R. Burnley, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Climatic conditions generally during the past season have been more favourable than usual, resulting in a plentiful supply of feed through the summer. Production on dairy-farms has consequently been maintained, and, with the welcome improvement shown in prices for wool and stock, sheep-farmers also have had a very successful year. With a view to increasing the carrying capacity, farmers are still taking advantage of subsidies under unemployment-relief schemes, principally for the purpose of fencing, scrub-cutting, and draining. Orchardists have had a disastrous season. Late frosts ruined portion of the crop and a hailstorm and frost in February did further damage. In some cases the whole crop was lost. This class of settler will again have difficulty in meeting charges. The arrears position shows considerable improvement, partly due to concessions granted, but mainly owing to increased incomes. The revenue for the year shows an increase of over £5,000 on the previous year.

TARAJSfAKJ. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Tlie weather on the whole has not been so unfavourable for farming operations as in the previous year, although there were some unusual features. The autumn was good and there was plenty of feed to start the winter with. Cold conditions set in early in May, being ushered in by a very severe storm which, however, did not do a great deal of damage. The weather continued severe until July. An exceptionally mild August of springlike conditions followed, but again the winter reasserted itself, and unseasonable weather was the riile until well into the normal summer. Production of butterfat was well maintained over the year, and towards the close of the season showed an increase over the previous season's figures. With increased production and a guaranteed price, the average dairy-farmer is in a much better position than in any year since the slump, and in the majority of cases there should be no difficulty in meeting ordinary recurring payments. The sheep-farmer has had a very good year. The wool clip was greater than for the previous year and, while the quality was much the same, there was less of the log-stained wool in evidence. The prices obtained were far above last year's figures. The lambing percentage was good, but there were heavy losses due to the rough weather, principally in the northern part of the district. The wild-pig trouble is still unabated, and until this menace can be controlled there will continue to be heavy losses of lambs. During the year there were twenty-one selections of farms, totalling an area of 4,460 acres. The revenue for the year was over £57,000, an increase of 13-4 per cent, on the previous year's figure. This is very satisfactory.

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WELLINGTON. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Throughout the year just closed weather conditions were most erratic. Following on a favourable autumn the winter was cold, and wet weather conditions prevailed throughout spring and summer. The plenteous rainfall produced a rank growth of grass which assisted butterfat-production but militated somewhat against the best results from early fat lambs. In most localities very few lambs were sold before Christmas, and it was well on in January before the flush were ready. In the dairying districts of southern Wairarapa, which usually dry up badly in hot summers, there has been an abundance of rain, and the longer growing period has made considerable difference to production. In the wetter northern areas of the Wairarapa the season, although good for dairying, has proved rather too wet, and returns will no doubt be about the same level as the previous season. In many cases haymaking operations were hampered by wet-weather conditions and less than the average amount of hay was saved. In other cases, however, where the winter was relatively mild farmers have been able to carry over reserves of hay from last year and stock should be sufficiently provided for this coming winter. The guaranteed price for butterfat has had the effect of stabilizing the prices for dairy stock, dairy cows averaging about £8 or £9. Well-bred run or station cattle commanded high prices, while yearling steers of this class in some localities realized as high as £7, with a correspondingly high price for beef cattle. Sheep-farmers have experienced a good year, prices for both wool and stock having been much better than for some time past. Fat-lamb prices have been good and altogether the pastoralist should be able to meet Ms commitments and have something over for top-dressing and maintenance of buildings, fencing, &c. It is pleasing to note that many settlers are painting their houses and farm buildings. The better prices obtained for butterfat, wool, &c., have encouraged many farmers to top-dress their pastures, and a consequent improvement in revenue returns has been manifest. There is still room for more to be done in this direction, but this work will no doubt be undertaken more generally when its advantages are more widely realized. The prices ruling for farm produce have created a keen demand for land, and any worth-while areas coming into the market are well applied for.

NELSON". (P. E. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The 1936-37 season has again been remarkable for the amount of summer rain right through the summer months with an absence of the usual dry, warm spells. Owing to the wet season lambing percentages were lower than for many years and the mortality amongst young sheep was very high in most localities. There was an abundance of summer feed, and sufficient winter feed is available. Hop-growers have bad a bad season owing to much wet weather, the returns having dropped at least 25 per cent, on last season. The apple crop has been only medium, caused through unfavourable weather conditions. The total export for the season will be in the vicinity ot 604,000 cases. The market opened up on the low side for cookers, but dessert varieties about equal the prices paid last year. The growers, however, should be materially assisted by the guaranteed prices. Heavy frosts in the early part of the year caused considerable damage to tobacco crops in part of the district.

MARLBOROUGH. (G. I. Maktin, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Generally the farming community in this district has experienced a good year. The continuance since last season of a reasonably fair rainfall over most parts of the district has removed the fear of drought, and this, coupled with a sound export price for lamb and the high prices obtaining for all classes of wool, has been reflected in a more confident and spirited activity in the market for store sheep. Those engaged in agricultural farming have recorded good average yields, but there would seem to be a tendency for those on the lighter and poorer lands to persist in this type of farming to their disadvantage. In this respect there is still a marked absence of the use of lime and fertilizers, and though the benefit accruing from their use is generally appreciated the high cost of both in this district limits their application. An increased area has been grassed down this season and this can be attributed partly to a general rise in the price of wool and sheep and a realization that continued cropping does not pay. Dairy-farmers have shown no appreciably increased outputs on last year, despite a favourable season, and it is to be hoped that, when charges are brought into relation with the producing capacity of their holdings, settlers will be in a position to make a more liberal use of lime and manure.

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WESTLAND. (B. King, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) As the rainfall during the latter half of the past year was some 20 in. above normal with the sunshine recorded showing a corresponding decrease, the past season has been anything but a favourable one for the farming interests. Although there has been an abundant supply of feed it is anticipated that the returns of butterfat per cow will be considerably below those of the previous year, but with the higher prices ruling the gross income will show a decided increase. Although the climatic conditions were unfavourable for dairying, they have in no way affected grazing pursuits, and graziers of both sheep and cattle have experienced a good season. Lambing percentages were well maintained, most flocks showing 100 per cent, and over, and prices realized for fat lambs in most cases exceeded expectations. The total revenue for the year was £17,299 18s. lid., as against £14,432 Bs. Bd., an increase of approximately £3,000.

CANTERBURY. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The weather conditions in the early part of the year were unfavourable to the agricultural farmer, but favoured the pastoralist in that heavy rains extended into March and April. Cultivation for supplementary feed and crops was retarded. Fortunately, winter was comparatively mild except for rains in July. Spring was later than usual, but November rains had beneficial effect, and prospects for good harvest appeared assured. Continuous heavy rain for three months, however, did heavy damage to crops. Though stock came through winter very well the heavy rains were against the fattening of lambs, the feed being soft and rank, with consequent mortality. Harvesting and shearing were held up unduly. Pastoralists in high country had a good year, there being no serious snow losses. There was a fair average lambing, and all surplus store sheep and lambs brought the highest prices for years. The wool clips were good and brought excellent prices. Dairy-farmers had the most successful season for a long period. Production was well maintained and stability of prices was a satisfactory feature. Orchardists had a fair year, but tomato-growers had a bad season owing to cold rains and heavy frosts. Taking everything into consideration, it has been a good season, as the high prices obtained for most farm produce have greatly improved the general outlook of many farmers.

OTAGO. (F. H. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) From the general reports by the Field Inspectors the past year has been a good one as regards the prices for wool, lambs, and surplus stock. Dealing with the high-country runs conditions were somewhat varied, the north-western part of the district experiencing good winter conditions with low losses, while the high-country runs in the north-east suffered through some heavy drifting snowstorms, with considerable losses and a poor lambing percentage. In North Otago the settlers on the lower country have had an excellent season, lambs fattening well and good prices being obtained for the coarser wools. The southern part of the district has not been so fortunate, as a very broken spring and summer has been experienced. Lambs have not fattened well, and harvesting operations have been greatly delayed and crops spoilt. The turnip crop is not up to the usual standard, and on the low-lying areas near Balclutha serious flooding in November and December has had a marked effect on the dairy returns. In Central Otago the showery weather experienced was most beneficial, and reports show that good barley crops have been grown on the Hawea Flats. There has been a splendid growth of grass, and excellent returns from wool and lambs. Unfortunately, the weather experienced in Central Otago has not been beneficial to the orchardists and the growers of small fruits. With little bright sunshine the crops have not ripened well, while a severe frost which occurred in October did a good deal of damage in scattered areas, principally to the stone-fruit. It is expected that the apple crop will show a better return, and this may improve the position. The different schemes for the conservation of water for irrigation purposes have been pushed ahead by the Public Works Department, and settlers who come within these schemes are now able to bring areas under irrigation, which should be reflected in the near future in an increase in flocks and the fattening of lambs. In reviewing matters over the past year, it can safely be said that the average settler has had an increased return and his position has improved accordingly.

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SOUTHLAND. (T. Cagney, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The district enjoyed a favourable autumn and mild winter with ample supplies of winter feed available for all classes of stock. The spring, however, was an unusually wet one, and this class of weather prevailed throughout the period, making the present season one of the wettest experienced for a considerable number of years. Owing to the unsuitable climatic conditions sowings of root and green crops were late and growth was retarded by wet cold weather, with the result that the yields will be disappointing and farmers will have to depend mainly on hay for supplementary winter feed for stock. It is satisfactory to note that most farmers saved fair supplies of hay during suitable breaks in the weather. At the close of the period a strong flush of grass was noticeable throughout the district, and this will, to some extent, provide good grazing well into the winter. Oat and other seed crops showed remarkable promise earlier in the season, but the weather seriously affected the successful harvesting of these and a considerable shortage in seed output may be expected. Back-country runholders, in common with farmers on the lower levels, enjoyed a remarkably good winter. No serious snow loss of stock was reported. Lambs generally fattened reasonably well, but were retarded to some extent by the softness of the pasture. Ragwort is still very much in evidence throughout the district. This weed thrives mainly on dairy-farms, but can be effectively controlled by running a few sheep with the dairy herd or, as an alternative, applying sodium chlorate, which may be used either as a powder or in a diluted form and may be procured at a reasonably cheap rate. An apathetic attitude is adopted by many farmers towards controlling this pest. Notwithstanding good prices for rabbit-skins of late, the rabbit nuisance is still much in evidence. With favourable prices ruling throughout' the season, particularly for wool and sheep, a generally buoyant tone is the natural result, and farmers, notwithstanding weather drawbacks, have enjoyed a lucrative year.

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APPENDIX lI.—LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1937.

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I I " ; ! i ' Name of Estate. j | Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Present North Auckland. Aponga .. . . 9 .. Dairying and grazing .. .. . . Very fair. Awanui . . .. 6 1 Dairying .. .. .. . . Good Bickerstaife ... .. 39 .10 Grazing . . ., .. . . f Bayliss .. . . 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. ., Fair. Cadman .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. . . .. Good Carroll .. .. 16 10 Homes Very fair. Cradock .. . . , . [4 Homes and orchards Creadon .. . . 4 .. Run-off . . . . .. .. Fair Eccleston . . .. 10 16 Homes .. Finlayson .. .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. pôô r , Hetana .. .. 2 87 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Very good Kitchener .. .. 1 12 „ .. .. . s Koremoa .. .. 13 .. Dairying and grazing .. Lawry .. .. 1 .. Grazing . . .. .. .. Good. Viethuen .. ,. 1 29 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Motutara . . .. 12 . . Dairying and grazing . . .. .. Very fair. Otarao .. .. 3 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. £ a f™ta • • • • 2 .. „ Fair. rakaraka .. 15 1 Parahi .. . . 9 .. Dairying and grazing . . .. .. Very fair. Prescott .. .. 3 17 Homes .. .. .. .. .. Good. Plumer .. .. 4 17 Puketi . . .. .. .. Grazing ■ 11 .. Dairying .. . . .. .. Fair. Remuera .. 31 1 „ Very fair. Streamlands .. . . 12 I ,, .. ., ,. Good Tangowahine .. 19 1 Dairying and grazing .. .. .. Poor. Tauraroa .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Very fair. Te Pua .... 4 1 Tokiri .. .. 4 .. „ ; ;; Upokonui .. .. 5 .. " " Good. Waari .. .. 26 40 Homes and orchards .. .. .. Waimata .. .. 15 . . Dairying Waiteitei .. . . 9 2 „ .. .! !! !! Very fair. Whakata .. .. 6 .. ,, .. .. .. ,, Good. Totals .. 297 260 Auckland. Apata, .. .. 7 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Good. Balachraggan .. 18 8 „ .. .. .. .. Verv good Bushmere .. .. 2 .. „ SaZfactory. Sford .. .. 8 1 „ Good . Delaney .. .. 1 .. Home .. Fencourt .. .. 8 39 Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Very good Gorton .. .. 10 .. ,, .. Hannon .. .. 2 .. Good" Hereford Park .. 2 .. Dairying " .. .. !! Unsatisfactory. Hikuai .. .. 20 1 Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Good. Horahia 6 Horahora .. .. 7 3 Kaipaki . . .. 4 .. ; 5 ara p iro 7 vêr yg ood. Kopuku .... 3 1 „ .... Fair Kopuku (2) .... 3 2 Mangaotama.. .. 3 1 „ .. " Very good. Mangakura 6 Mangapouri .... 2 13 „ Mangateparu.. ..53 3 ,, " Mangawhero .... 8 20 ,, Matamata .. .. 62 271 „ " Matuku .. 11 , , _ _ t " Morgan .. . . 4 .. Dairying .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Nelson ..... 3 .. ,, Ngahinapouri .. .31 „ .. .. .. Very good. Norwegians .. .. 2 1 ,, .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Nolan .. .. 5 Ohauiti .. . . 10 2 ,, .. .. .. ., Unsatisfactory. Okauia .. .. 6 11 „ .. .. .. .. Fajj., Omeheu .. .. 10 .. „ .. .. .. .. Good. Opouriao .. .. 29 71 „ .. .. .. .. Very good. Ormi .. .. 2 .. „ .. .. .. .. p air . Orongo .. .. 32 3 ,, .. .. .. . , Fair, improving. Otamarakau .. .. 7 .. ,, .. .. .. . . Very good. Otway .. .. 8 10 Pakarau .. .. 17 ! 7 " • • • • »

C.—l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1937 —continued.

14

Toaap. TTrpp- . , i-ittu. .... , I Remarks as to Present Name of Estate. jjjjg® Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. j Position. Auckland —continued. Pukemapou .. .. 11 Dairying .. . . .. -• Very good Puketarata .. • • 5 . . „ ■ • ■ ■ • ■ ■ ■ Good. Puahue .. .. 16 5 Dairying and mixed farming . . . . ,, Rangiatea .. . • 5 22 Dairying .. ■ • • ■ • • Very good. Rangitaiki .. . . 8 .. Dairying, small farming .. . . .. „ Reporoa .. • • 99 15 Dairying and grazing . . . . • • Good. Rewi .. .. 6 6 Dairying .. •• ■■ • X er yg°°f' , , Reynolds .. .. 21 4 „ Good to doubtful. Roekburn .. .. 1 • • >> • • ■ • ■ • • ' ī, alr j IRiotoniā/iinkH/ • • 1 •• • • • • • • (jood. Selwyn .. • ■ 58 196 Dairying and mixed farming .. . . Very good. Tahaia .. •• 11 ■■ Dairying .. •• •• • • . » Tainui .. .. 2 1 Grazing .. • • • ■ • • * air Tairua .. • • 19 7 Residential and farmlets .. .. • • Good. Taniwha .. 10 2 Dairying .. •• •• •• ,, Tangao .. .. 1 • • „ * alr ' , Tapapa .. .. 10 .. „ Very goo.d. Tautari .. •• 35 11 Business and residence .. .. ■■ Fair to doubtful. Teasdale .. .. 11 89 Residential and farmlets .. .. Very good. Te Miro .. • • 30 4 Dairying and grazing . . . . • ■ Fair. TeNgaroa .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. •• ■■ ■ • „ Te Poi .. .. 2 .. „ Good. Waiare .. .. 4 .. ,, ■ • • • ■ • • • >> Waimana .. 18 25 Dairying and mixed farming Very good. Wairakau .. 14 ,, ■ ■ ■ ■ » Walters .. .. 3 ,, ■ ■ ■ ■ >> Waitakaruru .. 15 3 Dairying, grazing ■ • • • •• „ Whatawhata .. 3 .. Dairying .. ■ • • • • ■ Good. Whitehall .. .. 4 15 Dairying and grazing .. •• •• Very good. Totals . . 816 887 Gisborne. Apanui .. .. 7 1 Dairying .. • • • • • • Good. Ardkeen .. .. 15 .. Pastoral .. ■ • ■ • • • » Clydebank .. ■ ■ 3 4 ,, • • ■ • • • • • » Glencoe .. .. 6 .. Dairying Homebush .. . ■ 13 .. ,, • • • • • • • ■ » Hukutaia .. .. 18 3 ,, • • • • • • • • >> Kanakanaia .. .. 7 1 Pastoral .. • • • • • • >> Ngatapa .. • • 25 3 „ • • • • • • •• Ohuka .. .. 11 •• >> •' Fair. Paremata .. .. 7 .. Dairying and pastoral .. .. . • „ Pouparae .. . • 3 6 Agricultural .. . • • • • • Good. Repongaere .. .. 10 2 Dairying and pastoral .. .. •• „ Rere .. • • 2 .. „ • ■ >> Ruangarehu .. .. 2 .. ,, •• » Te Arai .. 47 15 ,, • • • • ' ' Te Wera .. .. •• Pastoral .. •• Fair. Waimarie .. .. 11 6 Dairying and pastoral .. .. . ■ Good. Wharekaka .. .. 13 .. ,, • ■ • • » Wigan .. • • 12 7 ,, ■ • • • • ■ » Willows '.. .. 12 9 ,, •• •• ■ • >. Totals .. 224 57 Hawke's Bay. Argyll .. . • 44 20 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. Very good. Awamate .. .. 6 .. Dairying .. . • • • ■ • Fair. Beattie .. .. 5 .. Pastoral .. • • • • • ■ Good. Clydebank .. .. 13 3 „ • • • • • • » Corby .. • • 4 .. Mixed farming .. • • ■ • ■ • Fair. Coyne .. 1 •• » ■■ ■■ •• >> Crownthorpe .. 18 . . Pastoral .. • • • • • • Uooa. Elsthorpe .. .. 33 18 „ Very good. Forest Gate .. .. 16 13 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. . . Good. Glengarrv . • • • 28 .. Dairying .. .. • ■ ■ • Fair. Gwavas .. .. 10 1 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. . . ,, Hatuma .... 55 26 „ .... Very good. Kumeroa . .. ' •• 14 3 Agricultural, pastoral, and dairying .. ,, Lindsay . • ■ • 57 16 Mixed farming .. . . ■ • ■ • >, Mahora .. .. 20 15 ,, • • • • • • • • >> Manga-a-toro .. 21 7 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. ■ • „ Mangatahi .. .. 20 4 ,, • • • • •' " Marakeke .. .. 17 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Omana .. . • 9 1 Dairying .. .. • • ■ • Good. Otamauri .. .. 15 2 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. . . ,, Parinui ... .. 3 .. Mixed farming .. . . .. ■ • Fair. Pourerere .. .. 6 1 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. . • Good. Pukahu .. .. 2 .. Fruit Fair.

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Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1937—continued.

15

Name of Estate. ! folds' Principal Purpose Jor which Holdings are utilized. Remarks as to Present Position. Hawke's Bay—contd. Raumati .. .. 28 5 Pastoral and dairying .. .. .. Verv fair Raureka .. .. ]o 9 Dairying and fruit-culture.. .. Ver'v cood Rissmgton .. .. 5 .. Pastoral .. " Good Rylands .. . . 5 .. „ " '" p Springhil] 1 :: :: 1? I M0S * iy P ast0ral " " - •• vCygood. Te Kaihi .. .. 3 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. Good Te Kura .. .. 11 .. Dairying ., ,. ,. -p.,;., Te Mata .. ., 12 4] Fruit farming Tongoio .. .. 12 .. Mostly pastoral Tomoana . . .. 4 10 Fruit and dairying .. .. _ Verv pond Waihau .. .. 17 4 Mostly pastoral .. . . .. ,, Good Waipuka .. .. 1 .. Pastoral .. . . .. p a j r Watea .. .. 10 .. Mixed farming Wilder .. .. 4 '' " Woodlands .. .. 8 .. Dairying and Agricultural Miscellaneous .. 3 .. Dwellings .. .. " Totals .. S87 161 Taranaki. Araheke .. .. 3 . . Dairying .. . . .. .. Fai Clandon .. .. 7 t T ' Croydon .. .. 7 "1 " Very good. Hawke .. .. 1 .. ;; ;; •• •• • • Good - S" a a t0ki '• '• 2 l 3 Residential, small' farming.. " " Unsatisfactory. • • • • 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. . . . # J Humga .. .. 8 2 Dairying and mixed farming .. . . Good. Katikara " :: 3 :: S5 rming :: ;; ;; ;; Soof ctory ' Kohura .. .. 11 .. Mixed farming Kota .. .. 7 _ 6 " " •' Mana . . .. 1 .. Grazing .. .. " y'\ Mangamaire 1 ... ci a if?J arco • • • • 2 .. Mixed farming .. . . a ° ° ry ' Ktu e :: -i 1 •• •• ;; :: Okahu .. .. 1 :: Dairying :: ! Unsatisfactory. Parkes .... 7 " .... aLL - Pin 1 . " ' * • • • • • • (jrOOd. Italiii ;; \ ;; .. .. .. .. Unsatisfactory. Ratapiko .. .. 4 ] Dairying and mixed farming .. Good " TaitaZ " '• 2 38 Residential, small farming. .. " Very good. laxtama .. .. (> . Mixed farming G oo'd. -LciiiK.i .. .. 7 i Dairying :: :: I u Sn f r ing :: :: ii Tut.utawa .. .. 3 .. Dairying and grazing .. . . .. Good Totals .. 140 63 Wellington. Akitio Uhe " " " jR ail 7 in g . ■' Pair. tfm'lle " " « ' ' « razm g> shee P. and cattle .. . . Good. Almadale .. .. 8 .. Dairying Lowei . good . upper> Aorangi .. .. 19 23 „ fair (improving). Armstrong " " l " als ° a few sheep.. .! " Very fair to fair. Armstrong .. .. 1 .. Dairying Good Bartholomew'' !'! 6 " " " " " '" ? ood; buildi "gs poor. Benge .. .. i " " Improving. Braemore .. .. 4 Pastoral ' ' ' P 00rBrown .. .. \ D a " G ° od " Bruce .... 1 Bryce .. .. 3 ;; ;; ;; • ■ • • * alr to p° 0r - Callender .. .. 1 .. Dairying, also a few sheep.. . Fa,V ' Carrington .. .. 34 2 Mixed " . . Cherry Grove .. 3 .. Dairying, one section mixed .. . ! Stotions'l;' and 3, great improvement; Section 1, little improveCloverlea .. .. 17 .. Dairying and residential .. .. Good^ 88 '■ '• 1 '• Dairying Good " (owner requires Coyle .. .. 1 .. supervision). Currie .. .. 2 .. " " " " n ° or ' , " • • • • • • • • One good, one fair.

C.—l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1937 —continued.

16

I Wr „. , . , „ ... .... i Remarks as to Present Name of Estate. kofds." ! holds'. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized, : Position. ;■ '1 ! — Wettington —continued. ., . , n a Dawbin • • ■ • 1 • ■ Dairying and residential .. ■. ■ • uooa. Devonshire .. • • 1 .. ,, S iX ° n 36 II Mixed " .. •• F air - Eaglesham • 5 .. Dairying and grazing Good g °° d ' Epuni Hamlet .. 15 30 Mixed and garden .. • • • ■ Good. Evans • • • • 1 • ■ Dairying, also a few sheep.. .. • • P alr - Fairfield •• •• 7 1 Dairying .. •• •• •• >> xfollonn . . • • 6 • • Mixed dairying, also a few sheep .. .. Good. .. 1 .. Dairying and residential .. • ■ • • P alr - jjf , I ' ...... Poor. Glasspole .. •• 1 » Pair. Gower ■ • • • V " . • • Medium. Graham .. 1 •• " .. .. Good. Greves° •• 1 •• Dairying, also a few sheep.. .. ■■ Fair Hall Jones .. 11 29 Gardening .. Good. n.mmnnd •• 1 •• Dairying and residential .. ■■ air. Hawtev • -.40 56 Residential Doubtful, little demand. Hardie • • ■ • 1 • • Dairying (reselected May, 1932) . . .. Good progress being ui fid©. Haunui No. 1 • • 7 • • Dairying; one section mixed .. • ■ Very good (mixed neHaunuiNo. 2 ■■ 7 .. Dairying Good g °° d ' Harper •• •• 1 •• « Heatherlea •• 1 Residential .. •• •• Showing up very well. Heretaunga .. •• 12 1 14 Kesiclentiai .. Fair to rioor Heights •• •• 2 .. Sheep and dry cattle Pair to poor. tt-ii .. 1 .. Dairying, also a few sheep.. . . • • f* air. tt i • 7 Mixed .. • • • • • • Fair t0 P oor * Horrobm • • •• 1 •• llxe . ' S+ill imr>rnvinpJohnson •• 1 Grazing Good Kairanga .. H •• Dairying •• Uoocl - Kiwitea • ■ ■ ■ 1 • ■ Dairying and residential Kopane . • • • 14 • • Dairying Kuku • ■ • • 4 .. Mixed Langdalc .. •• 10 15 Grazing Langley-Purdom .. 1 Dairying Lean •< •• 1 Residential Lewis 1 Dairying po ° l - Little 11 :: " 1 " sUp.anddrycaiile i! " " Loughnan " 25 3 pSial !! Very Httle demand at S* 26 „ 7 Dairying' !! " - Makopua .. •• 2 .. Pastoral Improvement this year. Marama-a-mau • • 6 . . Dairying • • • • ■ • • • • Mangawhata . • • • • • 7 >> • • • • " " ™ • ' Marshall . • • • 1 • • >> y '' '' '' " ' p ' Mnunsraraki . . • • I 7 4 Residential .. • • • • • • t?Y l - . Mateikona .. 5 .. Grazing Pair and improving. iViataiKona 01 TioiWiW . .. • ■ One section much imMatamua . • '' Jo • • proved; others poor. Melling • • • ■ 2 .. Residential Proving Moroa .. • • 19 • ■ Dairying Pair and fmproving Motukai . ■ • 3 .. Grazmg . • • • • ■ • • £ alr ana im P r<mn SMuhunoa .. 2 .. Dairying to poor. McDonnell .. 1 •• » ; " G ood. McKenzie • • • • 1 • • » McLean .. • • j • • » -p a j r g 00( j. Nesdale No. 1 ' '' 1 • ■ Dairying and pastoral Pair. Nesdale No. 2 . • 1 • • Dairying Ngahape .. ■ • 6 • • Grazing Good. Ngakaroro .. . ■ 2 . . Dairying . • • • • • • • q 0(k | Ngarara .. • • 5 .. » • ■ '' '' '' p„„_' Normandale .. 21 27 Mixed .. .. •• ■■ Fair Ohakea .. .. 3 14 Dairying ***• Olliver .. • • 2 .. Grazing 01ver ' '' ] ' ' Dairying .. ■ • • ' ;; G ;' od (one sect ion just Omapu .. • • • ■ » • changed ownership). n 2 ....•••■ Pair. 0r ° ua » ... Good. Osborne • . . • • ° • • Otahome .. .. 2 .. Grazmg .. • • • • ■ • p'-ij Oturoa .. • 7 1.. Dairying -tailing.

C.—l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1937 —continued.

3 —C. 1.

17

Name of Estate. ; folds' holds Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Present Wellington—continued. Owenga .. ■ . 18 3 Residential .. . . .. .. Fair. Paa Creek .. .. 1 Dairying, also a few sheep.. .. .. Good. Paparangi .. . • 18 18 Residential .. . . . . .. Fair to poor. Paramu . . . . 1 . . Grazing .. . . . . .. Poor. Perham . . .. 1 • ■ Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Fair. Phillips .. ■ ■ 4 ■ ■ Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Pihautea .. . ■ 26 2 ,, .. .. .. .. Good. Pitt . . • - • ■ 5 Gardening .. .. .. .. Fair. Pohehe . . • ■ 1 • ■ Dairying, sheep, and cattle .. .. Good. Poroporo .. .. 16 2 Mixed . . . . . . .. .. Fair. Pukekoa .. . . 9 .. Dairying . . . . . . .. „ Pukenamu and extension 8 .. ,, .. .. . . .. Fair to poor. Puketoi . . . . 8 2 Grazing, sheep, and cattle .. .. Very good. Putorino . . .. 14 .. Dairying .. . . .. Fair. Quillinan .. ■ . 1 • • „ • ■ • • • • • • Good. Raumaewa . . .. 3 . . „ .. .. .. .. Fair. Ruatangata .. . . 3 .. „ .. . ■ .... Good. Sandilands .. .. 1 ■ ■ ,, • • • • • • • • Fair. Saxon .. .. 1 • • „ • • • ■ • • • • Fair to good. Soland . . .. 1 • • „ • • • • • • • • Very good, improving; sheep to cheek ragwort. Stanley .. . . 1 • • „ • • • • • • ■ • Fair, improving. Stokes .. . • 1 • ■ ,, • • ■ • • ■ • • Fair. Tablelands and Hikiwera 12 5 Grazing .. .. .. .. Good. Taikorea . . . . 5 . . Dairying .. .. .. .. 'Fair. Tauherenikau .. 1 • . Mixed .. .. .. . . .. Improving. Taumaihi . . .. 2 1 Residential .. .. .. . . Poor. Tapuae . . •. 2 .. Grazing .. .. .. .. Good. Tawaha . . .. 24 1 Mixed .. .. .. .. .. „ Te Matua . . .. 6 9 Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Te Ore Ore . . .. 8 .. Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Good to fair. Te Whiti . . .. 6 .. Dairying .. . . .. .. Fair. Tikotu .. • . 3 .. ,, .. .. .. .. „ Tiraumea .. ■. 16 .. Grazing .. . • • ■ • * Good to fair. Tupurupuru . . . . 3 . . ,, .. .. . • • • Good. Tuturumuri .. . . 12 . . ,, .. .. .. .. „ Waddington . . . . 13 3 Gardening .. .. .. .. Poor. Wakren ■ • • • 1 • • Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Waihora . . .. 3 . . Mixed .. .. .. .. .. Good. Waitawa . . .. 3 . . Dairying .. .. .. .. „ Waterson . . . ■ 2 . . ,, .. .. . • ■ • Fair. Westella . . . . 12 .. ,, .. ■. . ■ • ■ ,, Westmere . . .. 9 . . Mixed .. .. .. .. . . G°°d. White . . • • 1 ■ ■ Dairying .. .. .. • ■ „ Wilford . . . . 64 135 Residential .. .. .. .. „ Woulfe . . .. 1 • • Dairying .. .. .. .. Very good. Wright .. . . 1 • • » • • • • • • • • » Youle .. • • 1 • ■ » • • • • • • • ■ Good. Totals .. 904 340 Nelson. Blue Glen .. .. 1 •. Grazing .. .. .. ■ • Poor. Braeburn .. .. 21 2 Mixed farming .. .. .. • • Good. Glenrae .. . . 1 • • >> • • • • • • • • >> Golden Downs .. 1 • • ,, • • • • • • » Homestead .. .. 1 • • Grazing .. .. .. .. „ Lake .. .. 5 1 „ • ■ • • • • • • Fair. Maruia .. .. 10 .. Grazing and dairying .. .. .. „ Matakitaki .. .. 1 ■ • Grazing Palmer .. .. 1 • • Mixed .. .. . . . ■ .. ,, Spittall .. . . 1 ■ • Dairying Tutaki .. .. 4 1 Grazing .. .. .. . • Poor. Waimaunga . . .. 1 .. Dairying .. .. .. . • „ Walker .. .. 1 .. „ •• Good. Wangapeka . . .. IS 3 Mixed farming Totals .. 64 7 Marlborough. Alberton .. . . 4 . . Agricultural and dairying .. .. . . Poor. Blind River .. .. 18 .. Agricultural and sheep .. .. '.. Very good. Bomford .. .. 1 • • Agricultural .. .. . . .. Poor. Erina .. .. 10 2 Sheep .. .. .. .. ■ • Fair. Fernleigh .. .. 6 .. Dairying Flaxbourne .. .. 3 26 17 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. Very good. Goat Hills .. .. 3 .. .Sheep .. . , .. ,, .. Fair.

a—l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1937 —continued.

18

1 t poop. TTrpp- . , Vr ,j. i.-T j Remarks as to Present Name of Estate. j holds. Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Position. Marlborough—continued. Hillersden .. .. 52 8 Sheep . . .. .. ■ • Good. Hillersden Bush 1 ■ • . Linkwaterdale .. 5 .. Agricultural and dairying .. .. . . iair. Lynton Downs .. 11 . . Sheep .. .. • • • • • • >> Moorlands .. .. 6 .. Agricultural Neville .. • ■ 1 1 U • • • • •' " , North Bank . . .. 9 .. Sheep .. .. • • • • • • t*ood. Omaka .. . . 14 .. Agricultural, sheep, and dairying .. ■ . „ Puhi Puhi .. .. 2 .. Sheep Rainford .. • • H ■ • Dairying . . . • • • •• » Richmond Brook .. 12 .. Sheep Very good. Scarborough .. • • 166 28 Agricultural and pastoral .. .. • • » Waipapa .. .. 4 . . Sheep .. .. • • • • • Good. Warnock .. • • 2 .. Dairying .. .. . • Poor. Wither .. .. 17 5 Sheep and poultry .. .. •• lair. Totals .. 481 61 Westland. Kokatahi .. • • 8 .. Dairying and grazing .. ■ • Satisfactory. Poerua .. 23 5 ,, Raupo .. • • 4 .. „ ■ • • • • • » Runanga .. • • 1 • • Residential Totals .. 36 5 d (TY) t PvhlLYf/ Acton .. 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. Pair; holdings too small; land dirty, too much cropping. Albury .. • • 78 3 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Very good. Allanholme .. • • 10 .. » • • • • Annan .. ■ • 43 5 Mixed farming and grazing .. ■ ■ Well established. Ashley Gorge . . 7 3 Dairy-farming and grazing . . . . Ashton •• 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. Fair; holdings too small; land dirty. Ashwick .. • ■ 8 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing . . . . Fair. Avenel .. .. 17 .. Mixed farming .. . . .. ■■ Satisfactory. Avenel Extension . . 12 .. „ Generally satisfactory. Avonhead . . .. 18 1 Small farming .. .. ■ • • ■ Still uncertain. Avonhead No. 2 . . J 7 1 ,, • - ■ • • • • ■ » Aylesbury .. •. 6 .. Mixed farming .. .. . . ■ • t*ood. Bankfield .. 9 •• Mixed farming and grain-growing .. .. ['air. Beach .. .. 10 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. Fair; holdings too small. Bourndale .. •• 10 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. .. Fair Braco .. .. 2 12 Market-gardening .. •• Vr ell established. Brinklands .. ■ • • . 2 Dairying and mixed farming .. .. Under manager. Broadfields .. .. 4 .. Mixed grain-growing .. .. •• Still uncertain. Brooksdale .. .. 14 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. Uncertain; holdings too small. Bruce .. .. 4 .. „ Pair. Buckley .. ■ • 3 .. „ ■ • • • • • » Buddo" .. .. 9 6 Workers' dwellings .. .. .. i », Burke's Homestead .. 1 .. Homestead site .. .. • ■ • • Chamberlain .. 19 2 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. -fcair Clandeboye .. .. 11 •• Dairy-farming and gram-growing .. .. Very fair. Clandeboye No. 2 6 » . • • 5 a ""' , , . Claremont .. .. 11 •• Sheep-farming and gram-growing .. .. Boor to fair. Clayton .. ■ • 6 » ■ • • • 0 . . . , , dunes ... .. 8 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. ■ • Fair; cropping instead of dairying. Coldstream .. .. 10 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. .. Fair; holdings too small. Cooper's Creek .. 1 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. • ■ Fair. Copland .. .. 2 .. Sheep, dairying, and grain-growing . . „ Craigmore . . • ■ 9 . . Mixed farming .. .. ■ • • ■ Poor to fair. Cricklewood .. .. 11 • • » • • • • • ■ " Culverden .. .. 53 18 Mixed farming and grazing .. l*ood. Douglas . .. 36 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. . . Fair. Doyleston . . .. 5 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. ■ ■ Uncertain yet. Drayton .. -. 14 6 Agricultural .. .. •• Dromore . . • • 2 . . Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Uncertain; holdings too small. Eccleston .. . . 4 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. . . Good. Epworth .. . ■ • • 2 Now freehold .. .. .. ■ ■ _• • Finlay Downs .. 4 .. Mixed farming and gram-growmg .. . . ! oor to fair. Four Peaks .. .. 8 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. . . Good. jyrie ■ .. . . 4 1 Mixed farming .. . . ■ . . . Not satisfactory. Glenmark . . .. 27 3 Mixed farming and grazing .. ■ Good. Glentanner .. ., .. • • Homestead-site , . •. .. . • Pair,

C.—l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1937—continued.

19

Name of Estate. e d e s " : Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. | Remarksjis to Preaent _i j Canterbury—continued. Gorge Road . . .. 4 17 Worker's home . . Grange .. .. 3 I Dairying and grain-growing . . Pair; holdings too TT „ small. Hadlow .. .. 1 . . Mixed farming . . . . . . .. Fair. Hawthorne . . . . 9 .. „ . . . . .. _ Satisfactory; holdings „ . too small. Hei Hei .. .. ]2 4 Poultry-farming, &c. .. .. .. "Uncertain yet. Hekeao .. .. 10 7 Mixed farming . . . . .. ,. Satisfactory. Hewitt .. .. 1 .. Homestead-site .. Highbank .. .. 69 13 Mixed farming . . . . . . . . Good. Hillboro .. .. 3 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. . . Poor to fair. Homebrook . . . . 15 . . Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Hornby .. .. 17 6 Agricultural and gardening . . . . Fair. Horsley Downs .. 7 23 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Well established. Isleworth .. .. 18 . . Mixed grain-growing .. .. .. Uncertain. ■Jungle .. . . 2 .. Dairy-farming .. .. .. . . Fair. Kaimahi .. . . 4 9 „ . . . . .. .. Satisfactory. Kakahu . . .. 5 . . Workers' homes and gardening . . . . Poor to fair. Kapua .. . . 12 . . Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Good. Kapuatohe . . . . 5 9 Market-gardening and dairying . . . . ,, Keith . . . . .. 1 Workers' homes and gardening .. .. Satisfactory. Kereta .. .. 4 , . Mixed farming .. .. .. . . Good. Kinloch .. . . 30 2 Dairying and sheep-grazing .. .. Well established. kohika. .. .. 16 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Good. Kohika No. 2 .. 4 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Poor to fail'. Kowhatu .. .. 5 . . „ .. . . .. Pair Ladbrooks . . . . 14 .. ,, Lambrook . . . , 6 .. ,, Lansdown . . .. 10 1 Mixed farming and grain-growing Lauriston .. .. 4 1 Mixed grain-growing .. . . .. Fair; too much eropping. Leeston . . .. 5 1 Agricultural .. . . .. .. Well established. Lees Valley . . .. 8 .. Sheep-farming . . .. .. .. Position difficult; imt it proving. Lyndhurst . . .. 18 . . Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Satisfactory. Lyndon • • • • 7 1 „ . . .. .. Well established. Lyndon No. 2 . . 9 . . Mixed farming and grazing Macgregor .. . . .1 .. „ .. .. .. Very poor. Marawiti . . 12 1 „ G ood. May town . . .. 8 3 Mixed farming and dairying .. .. „ Mead . . .. 21 1 Mixed farming and grazing .. . . Well established. Meadows .. .. 14 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. . . Fair Milford .. .. 4 . . Mixed farming Mills .. . . 21 . . Mixed farming and dairying .. .. Fair to good. Moanaroa . . .. 3 .. Mixed farming . . .. . . .. Fair, improving. Morice .. .. 28 3 Dairying and grass-seed growing . . .. Satisfactory. Morten . . . . 17 1 Poultry, &c. . . .. . . .. Uncertain yet. Montford .. .. 7 . . Mixed farming and grazing . . . . Improving. Mount Nessing .. 11 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Fair. New Park .. .. 7 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair; holdings too small. Uakwood . . .. 5 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. .. Fair. Ohapi . . .. 6 .. Mixed farming .. . . .. .. Good. Omihi .. .. .. .. Homestead-site Orakipaoa .. .. 26 1 Market-gardening .. .. .. tī Otaio . . .. 9 . . Mixed farming . . .. . . .. " t Otarakaro .. .. . . 7 Small farming and dairying .. . . Well established. Papaka .. ., 9 .. Market-gardening . . .. .. Good. Pareora . . .. 26 2 Mixed farming Pareora No. 2 .. 26 7 „ Patoa .. . . 1 3 Grazing and small farming .. .. Satisfactory. Pawaho .. . . 7 18 Market-gardening . . .. .. Peaks .. .. 9 3 Mixed farming .. . . .. .. " Puhuka . . .. 9 1 Workers' homes Punaroa .. .. 15 2 Dairying, sheep-farming, and grain-growing .. Good. Raincliff .. .. 1 .. Sheep-farming .. .. .. .. Fair. Rakitairi .. .. 20 2 Mixed farming and grain-growing .. .. Fair to crood. Rapuwai . . .. 5 . . „ .. .. p a i r . Rautawiri .. .. 6 .. Mixed farming, grain - growing, and small Good. farming Riverina .. .. 3 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Fair; holdings too small. Roimata . . .. 7 22 Workers' homes Rosebrook .. .. 11 3 Small farming and dairying .. .. Fair to good. Rosewill .. . . 151 11 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Good. Ruapuna No. 2 .. 15 .. Mixed farming .. . . .. .. Satisfactory. Scargill .. .. 9 .. Mixed farming and grazing .. .. Scotston .. .. 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. . . Fair; improving. Seafield .. .. 6 .. ,, .. .. .. .. Fair; holdings too small. Seaforth . . .. 7 . . Small farming and dairying .. . . Fair.

C.—l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1937 continued.

20

Name of Estate. J jSjggt; ! ifofds". j Prmeipal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. j Sh^wd«0TOB tU1Ued ' 29 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Poor to fair o„ r ;„„ w „ll 6 .. Mixed farming and gram-growing .. .. *air to good. Stoke" ' 7 Mixed farming Good. Studhdmc Junction ' 4 .. Small farming and dairying .. .. Good. Talritu 5 ■ ■ Sheep-farming .. . • • ■ • • » Taniai '' ■ • 8 33 Workers' homes .. .. • ■ • • Satisfactory. T ' 9 1 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. . ■ Good. Tnrnwnhi " - 3 25 Workers' homes .. .. • • • • Satisfactory. 'Teschemaker .. 14 .. Mixed farming and grain-growing .. .. Poor to fair Timaunga .. •• 16 •• Mixed farming •• Pair to good. Timaunga Extension .. V • • ' V> ' + t :, T • 25 Sheep-farming and gram-growing .. .. roortotan. Valverde !! !. 10 .. Mixed farming .. Holdings too small, land Waiapi . . .. 11 4 Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. ■ • Good. 34 .. Sheep-farming, fruit, and grain-growing . . Poor to fair. " :: 7 .. T WnitrAi Peaks . 8 • • Sheep-farming .. • • • • • ■ Improving. Welburn .. • • 6 • ■ Mixed farming and dairying .. • ■ Uncertain. Wharenui 11 14 Workers'homes .. •• •• •• W ell established. Winchester '' .. 10 .. Sheep-farming and grain-growing .. .. Pair. Woodlau . . • • 4 . . Mixed farming and grazing . ■ • • Uncertain yet. Totals •• 1,845 353 Otago. r i Airedale .. • • 10 1 Dairying and general .. •• • • Ardgowan . . • • 66 6 ,, • • ■ • • • " » k m i vpfi ., . . ■ • r an • Arnmore • • • • 0 • • „ . •" rWri Arthurton .. • • 4 .. Grazing • • oofl - Aviemore • • • • 1 • • », Awamoa . • ■ • 1 1 Mixed . . • • Barnego .. • ■ 20 4 Dairying and general ,, Bellamy .. 13 Grazing .. Poor. Olareview .. • • 5 .. Dairying and general .. • • • ■ Orood. Clifton ■ • 8 ■ • General . ■ • • • ■ ■ • Fair. Conical Hills .. 45 2 Grazing and general Poor. Crosshill ... •• ■' 1 Mixed Croucher .. 1 " Fair _ " almam ' ' '' ' ' Sixed Good. Downs .. • ■ 8 • • , lxe '' p„„,, Duncan .. •• 4 5 Dairying £oor. Earnscleugli . • • • * rult '' "' *' '' ' ' p nrv H Elderslie No. 1 34 3 General £>ofl Elderslie No. 2 . .. 16 >. ■■ " " " » ■ - Galloway .. •• H 1 Fruit and homestead-sites .. •• Veryiair. Gladbrook '' '' 46 3 Dairying FairGlean .. •• 4 .. Mixed •• " Greenfield .. 36 7 „ • • • • • ■ • • 00ct - Hilderthorpe .. 19 .. General and workers' homes .. .. Pair Hydg , .. 2 4 Mixed and general . . • • • • i*ooa. Janefield !! 19 3 Dairying and fruit Kauroo Hills • • 42 3 General Kelso .. •• 3 .. Dairying .. Onlv fair Kurow .. ■■ 11 3 Dairying and general .. •• •• Unlytau. Lakeview .. .. 1 • • General .. ■ • • ■ • • " ooct - Maerewhenua .. 77 1 „ • • • ■ • • '' ' Makaraeo .. • • 3/ 1 >> • • Poor Makaraeo Extension .. 3 .. f„;, Manuherikia .. .. 9 .. Genera, with irrigation Veryiau. Maraeweka .. .. 8 .. General . • • • • • • • »> SadoXnk:: :: A :: gT." :: :: :: g00d - Sr.. :: I 9 S andm " :: :: ■ ||W Murray field .. •• 2 .. Mixed .. •• •• Onlv fair. Oakleigh .. • • 1 • • »» . • * "' i Otanomomo . . .. 25 1 Dairying £ooa. Otekaike . • ■ • 64 1 Mixed .. .. • • • • • • • Pomahaka " 24 t V. Very fair. Poplar Grove 21 2 Dairying Pukeawa .. .. 14 2 Mixed Good. Pukenui .. •• 6 .. _ ,, ■ ■ Puketapu .. ■ • 6 5 Dairying > Rorkford • • 4 • • JVIixed • • Rosebery .. .. 15 • • Grazing and general >, Rugged Ridges .. 1 Grazing Very tair.

C.—l.

Summary of the Settlements established upon Estates acquired and dealt with under the Provisions of the Land for Settlements Act up to the 31st March, 1937—continued.

EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. NORTH AUCKLAND. (W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) A general development improvement is taking place on the majority of the settlements in this district. As in the case of Crown-land tenants, the difficulties which arose as a result of the depression required to be faced, and every deserving case where assistance could reasonably be given by way of postponement or remission of rent received sympathetic consideration. The financial stress under which many settlers have carried out farming operations during the past few years has considerably improved owing to the heavy rainfall experienced during the past two summer seasons, and pastures have greatly benefited owing to this factor, combined with regular top-dressing with suitable manures, thus resulting in increased production. In view of the general increase in prices received for farm products settlers should be able to face the future with a considerable degree of confidence. No new settlements have been acquired during the year.

21

Name of Estate. holds." ' holds" Principal Purpose for which Holdings are utilized. Present Otago—continued. Steward . . . . 51 4 Mixed . . .. .. . . .. Good. St. Helens .. ., 3 . . General . . .. .. . , Very fair. Tahawai . . . . 7 1 Dairying .. .. .. . . Good. Tapanui .. 7 .. General' Taumata . . .. 9 .. Mixed . . .. . . .. . . " Teaneraki . . . . 23 .. Dairying .. .. . . . . Very fair. Te Puke .. . . 4 .. Mixed . . . . .. . . . . Good. Teviot . . . . 24 1 Grazing .. ,. ... , . Pair. Tilverstowe . . . . 7 . . Mixed Tokarahi . . . . 75 2 „ . . .. .. .. Good. Tokoiti . . .. 4 . . ,, Totara .. .. 27 . . „ .. .. .. .. " Wairuna .. . . 11 .. „ .... .. .. , . Pair. Waitahuna No. 1 .. 1 1 „ .. Waitahuna No. 2 .. 6 1 „ .. .. .. .. Poor. Westcott • • .. 7 . . „ Wilden .. .. 13 . . Mixed, agricultural, and pastoral . . . . Good. Windsor Park No. 1 , . 36 2 Mixed .. .. .. . . . . Very CTOO( i Windsor Park No. 2 .. 10 . . „ .. .. .. .. ,. ' Totals . . 1,149 87 Southland. Allenby .. .. 5 . . Dairying .. .. .. . . Pair. Aidlussa .. .. 5 .. Pastoral .. .. . . . . Very poor. Beaumont .. .. 10 2 Mixed farming .. Brydone .. .. 2 .. Dairying .. .. . . . . Pair!' Campbell .. . . 3 .. Mixed farming . . . . .. , . Poor. Crichton Park .. 4 2 Pastoral . . .. . . p a j r . Edendale . . . . 95 59 Dairying . , .. .. . . Very good. Ermedale .. .. 10 3 Mixed farming . . .. .. , . Pair. " Pern Hill . . .. 6 .. „ Fortification Hill .. 6 . . Pastoral .. .. .. .. " Glenham . . .. 30 14 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Very good. Knowsley Park .. 9 . . Pastoral .. .. .. .. Poor. Lambert .. . . 1 Dairying .. .. .. .. Pair. Lamont . . . . 6 . . „ McCallum .. . . 4 . . „ .. .. ., .. " Maori Hill .. . . 16 5 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Merrivale .. .. 44 13 „ Merrivale No. 1 . . 9 . . „ .. .. ., , , Fair. Merrivale No. 2 . . 7 .. „ Monte Cristo . . 4 . . Dairying .. .. .. . . " Otahu .. .. 5 3 Mixed farming .. .. .. .. " Ringway .. .. 4 3 ,, Simpson .. . . 1 ,. „ . , .. .. , Poor. Stalker .. . . 8 1 Dairying .. .. .. . . p a ,j,.. holdings too small. btrathvale .. .. 9 . . . , .. ,, , , Very good. Tamatea .. . . 7 .. „ Teihoka .. . . 2 .. Mixed farming .. .. .. .. Good. Te Wae Wae . . 3 . . Dairying .. .. .. .. Fair. Waiarikiki .. .. 7 .. Pastoral .. .. .. . . Poor. Waikiwi Town .. 28 33 Suburban building-sites .. .. .. Fair. Totals .. I 350 138 I

C.—l.

AUCKLAND. (K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates have been purchased, during the year. In view of the guaranteed price for butterfat and the very satisfactory prices realized for wool, lambs, and beef cattle most of the settlers on the older-established farms have had a good year, while the improved conditions prevailing have given the settlers on the newer settlements a chance of consolidating their position. n , , . , ,• , The improved financial position of settlers is indicated by the satisfactory manner 111 winch they have met their annual charges for rent and interest, while in many cases arrears which have been accumulated during the slump period have been cleared or substantially reduced. Development-work on the Galatea Estate has been steadily proceeding. A further area of 2,134 acres has been cleared and grassed, 1,459 chains of fencing erected, while other essential improvements have been effected. The greater part of the estate continues to be worked as a sheep and cattle station, and owing to the good prices ruling for wool, sheep, and fat cattle the results of the year's operations from a financial point of view have been highly satisfactory. GISBORNE. (H. L. Primrose, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) With good prices all round prevailing during the year and considerably less trouble from flooding, such as was experienced last year, most of our settlements are in a fairly good position, although perhaps a greater proportion of them have applied for relief under the Rehabilitation Act than m the case of ordinary Crown tenants. That, of course, may be due to the higher-priced land m the former CdSe 'A good start has now been made on the Wharekaka drains, and the work will be pushed on to completion Three sections held by one settler on the Ohuka Settlement were abandoned during the year and it is doubtful if they will be again suitable for settlement on account of the recurring manuka and the cost of keeping it in check. This is one of the drawbacks to this settlement, although we have a good class of settler there. ... Te Wera Estate is still farmed by the Department, and this year s revenue position is very satisfactory. That is the result of farming the property as a whole, and it is doubtful if the time has yet arrived for cutting the estate up. HAWKE'S BAY. (F. R. Burnley, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new areas have been purchased during the year. , . The settlers on sheep and dairy propositions have had a good year. The results from orchard properties have been disappointing owing to unfavourable weather conditions. TAEANAKI. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No estates have been purchased under the Act during the year. The position of settlers generally shows a good improvement, owing to the phenomenal rise in the price of wool and, to a lesser extent, the guaranteed price for butter. There have been a few remissions of rent, but from now on the average efficient farmer should be able to pay his way. WELLINGTON. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were acquired for settlement during the year. The majority of settlers on land-for-settlements estates are dairying and have received the benefit of the guaranteed price for butterfat. Those tenants who follow sheep-farming entirely have had a good year and should have something available for the improvement of their pastures and maintenance of buildings, fencing, &c. Some settlements, in southern Wairarapa particularly, are menaced by erosion when the Kuamahanga River is high, and this matter is receiving consideration. The problem is one of considerable magnitude, and it seems as if some very comprehensive scheme of protection will require to be evolved to prevent further damage by the river. NELSON. (P. R. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There have been no purchases under the Land for Settlements Act during recent years, and most of the settlers now established are progressing satisfactorily. MARLBOROUGH. (G. I. Martin, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were purchased in this district during the past year. The whole of our land-for-settlement areas is devoted to pastoral and mixed farming, and my general report applies to areas under this heading. WESTLAND. (B. King, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were purchased in this district during the year. The remarks embodied in the report on ordinary Crown lands applies equally to lands for settlement and if prices ruling at present are maintained, with more favourable climatic conditions prevailing for the coming year, settlers generally should face the future without any misgiving.

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CANTERBURY. (N. C. Kenstngton, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The settlement areas generally have experienced a good year with present prices ruling for sheep, lambs, and dairy-produce. The majority of lessees who have acquired their holdings since about 1912 are taking advantage of the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act, 1936, to have their affairs adjusted, and the various committees set up to deal with applications under the Act are kept continually at work. There is still a large number of holdings which are too small for the class of country occupied. The Department is farming Brinklands, McKenzie, and Ashton Settlements, which have been greatly improved during the past year. An area of over 306 acres was purchased during the year and added to the holdings on the Acton Settlement. OTAGO. (F. H. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new areas were acquired under the Land for Settlements Act during the year in this district. Of the many settlements acquired in previous years the majority are situated in North Otago, and as a result of the beneficial rains experienced the settlers on the northern settlements have had a good year and one that can be regarded as above the average. Generally the wheat crops have threshed out heavier than was expected ; and although showery weather made harvesting difficult the crops mostly were well saved. With the good prices for coarser wool and fat lambs the settlers' financial position has been much improved. However, the difficulty still remains with the man on the area too small to be regarded as an economic unit. Such areas are in evidence on some of the older settlements and give cause for much thought. On the settlement lands in the southern end of the district, especially on the low-lying land utilized principally for dairying, heavy flooding has been experienced during the dairying season, with the result that the returns have suffered accordingly. On the whole, the settlements subject to the Land for Settlements Act can be regarded as having experienced a good year, with corresponding increases in revenue. SOUTHLAND. (T. Cagney, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new estates were purchased during the year nor any settlement land opened for selection. With regard to conditions of existing settlements, my report on ordinary Crown land settlement generally applies. There are a few of these settlements which stand little chance of ever being successful selections owing, in some cases, to the limited area of the holdings and, in other cases, to the quality of the land.

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APPENDIX lII.—LAND-DRAINAGE AND LAND-DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS. (R. G. Macmokran, Chief Drainage Engineer.) In accordance with statutory requirements, separate reports deal with. (1) Hauraki Plains, (2) Rangitaiki, and (3) Swamp Land Drainage Districts —viz., Kaitaia, Hikurangi, Waihi, and Poukawa Drainage Works. Land-development operations have been carried out on ten areas under the Small Farms Act, whilst development operations on the Galatea Estate, purchased under the Land for Settlements Act, have been steadily pushed forward. The number of development blocks has been increased by one during the year, whilst in addition detailed proposals have been prepared for an extension of the Tarawera Block, as well as a neighbouring block, which will be known as Edgecumbe. Both these new blocks are similar to the land on the Tarawera Block, being pumice soil with a covering of Tarawera ash from the eruption of 1886. Operations on the majority of the small-farms blocks reached such a stage during the year that completed farms were handed over to the Commissioners of Crown Lands for the two Auckland Land Districts. These farms, in most cases, were all grassed, fenced, stocked, and provided with the necessary buildings and, where required, with water-supplies. The following schedule shows the number of completed farms handed over in the respective blocks :— Mangatete .. .. • • .. 5 during previous year. Wharere . . • • • ■ .. 5 Tarawera .. .. • • . . 10 Murupara . • • - - - ■ H■ in addition, two B class applicants were settled. Broadlands • • • • .. 7 On all the above farms dairying was carried out under the control of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, whilst on another twelve milking was carried out on a wages basis. The available returns of butterfat from the blocks were as follows : — Butterfat. lb. Kaitaia .. .. •• •• ■■ •• 24,056 Mangatete .. .. • ■ • • • • • • . . 30, 500 Wharere . . .. • • • • • • • ■ • • . . 20, 635 Tarawera . . ... • • ■ • ■ • • • • • . . 54,770 Murupara . . . • • ■ ■ ■ ■ • ■ • . . 53,000 Broadlands . . ■ • • • • ■ • ■ ■ ■ . . 41,000 223, 961 These returns show an increase of output of butterfat from the respective blocks varying from 50 per cent, to 110 per cent, over the corresponding period for the previous year. The returns from the Tarawera and Broadlands Blocks have been particularly gratifying, those from the former being very even from the respective farms. The highest return was from the farm occupied by J. Marshall at Murupara with 7,322 lb., whilst the next was that of T. W. James at Broadlands with 7,072 lb. A study of the figures from the respective farms shows that some of the occupiers are not obtaining the desired results, and in these cases a weeding-out process is necessary. The following schedule shows the stock on the blocks at the end of the year : —

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Cows. Dry Stock.) Heifers, j Calves. Horses. Sheep. Bullocks. Kaitaia .. ■ • ■ • 135 48 50 32 4 Mangatete— Settlers .. ■ • • • 186 .. 26 29 12 92 Department .. . • ■ ■ 30 4 .. 10 2 467 Hoe-o-tainui* .. .. • • 6 6 152 .. 17 304 Wharere — Settlers .. • • • • 138 5 30 15 5 Department .. .. • • • • 2 91 .. 5 759 341 Tarawera — Settlers .. .. 285 10 60 42 10 Department . . .. • • 32 11 6 .. 1 j 27 Murupara— Settlers .. • ■ • • 301 11 66 69 11 Department .. • • ■ • 25 28 .. 5 1 .. 35 Broadlands — Settlers . • • • • • 186 7 18 44 5 Department .. . • • • 22 . . .. 6 2 . . 38 Grand total .. . • 1,346 | 132 499 252 75 1,622 441 Department total .. | 109 j 45 97 21 12 1,226 j 441 * At the close of the year the value of departmental stock on hand was £6,790. The recoveries from sales, together with stock issues to settlers and departmental stock on hand, amount to £25,110, and in all cases of stock in hand the values are on a conservative market basis.

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The expenditure on stock to date lias been £14,986, and the total returns for last year from all sources, excluding pigs, were as follows : — £ Butterfat . . .. .. .. .. .. 12,140 Fat cattle (Tarawera, Wharere) .. .. .. .. 1,335 Sheep and lambs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,264 Wool .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 384 £17,123 Some of the blocks have not been fully stocked owing to the excessive growth, but it is hoped that this will be rectified for next season. The outstanding carrying-capacity is that of the Wharere Block, which averages over a grown beast for each acre of grassed land. Details of the works carried out on the various blocks are as follows :— Mangatete (1,270 acres). —The development of this block was continued, the average number of men employed being nineteen, this number being in addition to the seven men who have been allotted sections. On the two sections which were felled and grassed last year the Department has grazed sheep, and buildings are now in course of erection to enable these to be farmed by new settlers during the coming season. At the end of the year the Department had 467 sheep and lambs on this area, and these will be transferred to the Puriri Block as soon as the newly sown grass is sufficiently far ahead. Some consignments of fat lambs were forwarded to the works at Moerewa. The development of the block will be completed during the coming year. There has been a surplus of posts, and these have been made available for the Kaitaia and Mangawai Blocks. The following schedule shows the principal work carried out during the year, together with the total to date :• — During Year 1936-37. Total to Date. Number. Number. Posts and stays .. .. .. .. 9,842 21,484 Strainers .. . . . . . . . . 260 750 Battens .. .. .. .. .. 4,939 7,269 Gates constructed .. .. .. .. 64 195 Cow-sheds erected .. . . .. . . 2 8 Pig-shelters erected .. . . .. .. 2 14 Square Feet. Square Feet. Timber felled and cross-cut .. .. .. 23,939 100,491 Timber milled .. .. .. .. 20,824 68,828 Acres. Acres. Bush felled and grassed . . .. . . 175 380 Area top-dressed .. .. .. .. 80 480 Clearing fern and wiwi . . . . . . 60 235 Stumping and logging up . . .. . . 20 220 Chains. Chains. Fences erected .. .. .. .. 303 781 Fences repaired . . . . . . . . 26 181 Puriri (1,400 acres). —This block adjoins the Mangatete Block, and at the beginning of the year was covered with mixed bush. A timber company was working the bush on a royalty basis, but the license has now lapsed. Bush-felling operations were commenced last year, approximately 120 acres being felled, this being satisfactorily burnt and sown. Every endeavour is being made to save areas of bush at the heads of the main gullies, in order to conserve the water-supplies, and some 30 acres were saved above the area recently burnt. This area will be farmed by the Department, and it is my opinion that it would be more satisfactory for the Department to farm the whole area until the clearing and grassing is completed, and the work is being planned accordingly. Contracts are now being prepared for fencing the grassed area, as well as for the felling of bush and the splitting of posts. Kaitaia (1,000 acres). —The work on this area has consisted of continuation of the works previously carried out and the extension of operations to portion of the adjoining peat lands. This latter type of country will not be nearly as good as the alluvial land already grassed, but should it hold the grass it will provide a change for the stock. Best results have been obtained by disking and harrowing this land after clearing and burning, but it is yet too soon to state the results. Only minor floods have been experienced during this year, and these have not affected the farming operations, although a large amount of work has had to be carried out to rectify the damages suffered by severe flood of February, 1936. 4 —C. 1.

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As stated in the introduction to this report, the milkers on the block are employed on wages, and it is intended to build up their herds for next year. Ordinary farm, operations were carried out by these men, and approximately 50 tons of ensilage and 80 tons of hay were saved. Owing to the very wet summer and the consequent excessive growth it was found necessary to top a large area of this block. During next season's operations it is hoped that it will be possible to carry some young steers on this area to cope with any flush of feed. Building operations were continued, five houses and four cow-sheds being erected, so that the number of fully equipped farms is now eleven. The following schedule shows the main works carried out during the year : — During Year 1936-37. Total to Date. Number. Number. Artesian bores sunk . . . . . . 12 27 Concrete troughs .. .. .. 16 23 Culverts and bridges erected . . .. 16 44 Houses erected .. .. .. .. 5 Cow-sheds erected .. .. .. .. 4 11 Chains. Chains. Fences erected . . . . .. . . 495 1,190 Drains constructed .. .. .. .. 463 1,375 (10,931 cubic yards) Drains cleared .. .. . ■ ■ • 900 1,200 Acres. Acres. Manuka, &c., cut .. .. .. . ■ 340 435 Area harrowed .. .. . • • ■ 174 194 Area sown .. .. ■ ■ ■. 230 490 Area harvested for hay and ensilage . . 56 Hoe-o-tainui (900 acres approximate). —Development on this block consisting of clay country was commenced in September, 1935. The cultivation operations have been continued with horse teams, and satisfactory progress has been made, although at the critical period of the year the ploughed land was too hard for satisfactory breaking down with the disks. Iu the autumn of 1936, 279 acres were sown down in grass, whilst at the end of March, 1937, an additional 357 acres had been ploughed in readiness for autumn sowing. In addition, 16 acres were sown down in swedes. The grass, particularly on the lower country, has done very well, and it is proposed to commence milking on some of the sections during the comingseason. The stock carried last winter was approximately 500 ewes, these being sold recently, together with 471 fat lambs. The stock at present carried comprises 17 horses, 6 cows, 67 heifers and bulls, 304 sheep, whilst 88 heifers and bulls for this block are at present grazed at Waitakaruru. The number of men employed has fluctuated between seventeen and eleven, ten of them being prospective settlers who are living on the block with their wives and families. Six of these families have been occupying houses built by the Department, and in February a further contract was let for six more houses. In November work was commenced on a high-pressure water-supply from the Maungatea Stream, some 126 chains of 3 in., 2|in., and 2 in. pipe being laid since that date. A considerable amount of fencing has been carried out, and general operations include planting shelter-trees, care of stock, and haymaking. The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year : — Ploughing and cultivation . . . . .. .. 375 acres. Fencing . . . . ■ ■ • • • ■ • • 733 chains. Buildings . . . • • • • • ■ • . . 6 cottages, 1 cow-shed. Water-mains laid . . . . . • • • ■ ■ 126 chains. Blackshaw's (250 acres). —The development of the peat area on this block was again delayed by the wet summer, as it was found impossible to burn the peat. Having experienced three wet summers in succession, proposals are being framed to fence the area and then graze stock in order to control and, if possible, eradicate the young blackberry and gorse. Men have been employed only intermittently on this area,- the work consisting of the grubbing of gorse and blackberry and the cleaning and deepening of drains. The work carried out is as follows : — Gorse and blackberry cut or grubbed . . . . 70 acres. Drains cleaned . . . • • • • • • • 120 chains Drains deepened . . . • • • . • 61 chains. Henderson's (700 acres).—ln April, 1936, men were employed principally on agricultural work, but in May the number was increased to twenty-five, so that the drainage and clearing of the swamp could be undertaken.

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In February of this year the drain-construction was practically completed, and the formation of the access road was taken in hand. A considerable amount of work was necessary in connection with the control and eradication of ragwort and other noxious weeds. The appearance of this block, particularly the swamp portion, has considerably improved by the stocking, details of which are being supplied by the Superintendent of Land Development, Te Kuiti, who is in charge of this particular phase of the work. The work carried out was as follows :— Drain-construction . . . . . . . . 414 chains (15,400 cubic yards). Road-construction . . . . . . 2,230 cubic yards. Road-construction . . . . . . 1,700 fascines. Ploughing and cultivation .. .. .. 164 acres. Clearing scrub .. . . . . . . 138 acres. Fences (new) .. . . . . . . 140 chains. Fences (repairs) . . . . . . . . 305 chains. Buildings . . . . . . . . . . 1 cottage. Wharere (930 acres). —On this area of low-lying swamp land good progress has been made with development during the year, and the past summer has witnessed a noticeable response to the drainagework carried out in the previous years. By careful stocking with both cattle and sheep water-logged areas which were previously carrying a heavy growth of scrub, flax, and raupo are being gradually turned into excellent pasture lands. Ragwort had obtained a good hold on the adjoining lands, and every endeavour has been made, both by stocking and the use of sodium chlorate, to eradicate this pest. Unfortunately, the lessees of the adjoining Crown and Native lands have not prevented the plants from seeding, and it is apparent that more rigorous methods of control are required. A considerable length of drains was constructed, and in all cases these were double fenced and bridged. Two gravity water-supply schemes, operated by electric pumps, were installed, and these reticulate all but two sections on the area. Extensions will be made to these two at an early date. Further areas of scrub were cleared and grassed, the total area in grass now being 738 acres. Dairying was carried out on five fully equipped farms, and although two additional farms were equipped these were grazed with cattle and sheep. It is apparent that the best policy is to farm the grassed area, apart from that occupied by the dairy-farms, for at least another year, as better consolidation and pasture will result. The carrying-capacity of this block is very heavy, and it has been possible to sell both fat lambs and bullocks. In the original proposals for the development of this block, it was stated that it would be necessary to install electric flood-pumps in order to obtain good drainage. At the end of the year, as the electric power had been made available, a pump was being installed on the northern portion of the block. The following schedule shows the works carried out during the year and to date : — Year 1936-37. Total to Bate. Chains. Chains. New drains .. .. .. .. 735 1,811 (5,824 cubic yards) (37,116 cubic yards) Clearing drain-lines i. .. .. 1,035 1,322 Cleaning drains .. .. .. .. 991 2,276 Widening and deepening drains . . . . 109 396 Fences erected .. .. ..1,128 3,673 Number. Number. Floodgates .. .. .. .... 2 Bridges and culverts . . .. . . 34 55 Cottages ... .. .. .. .. 2 7 Cow-sheds .. .. .. .. 5 8 Acres. Acres. Clearing scrub .. .. .. .. 138 738 Stumping .. .. .. .. 58 196 Grassing .. .. .. .. .. 188 738 Grass harrowing .. . . . . . . 116 166 Ploughing and cultivation . . . . 28 88 Disking for grass .. .. . . . . 35 35 Tarawera (900 acres). —The programme of development was practically completed during the year, the ten fully equipped farms being handed over to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The pastures on this land, which in its original state carried a fairly uniform covering of coarse Tarawera ash, have made remarkable progress and, with stocking, the ash is rapidly consolidating and disintegrating into a volcanic soil. Lucerne has also been satisfactorily established straight from the virgin state of fern and tutu. The water-supply by means of a ram was installed and has given every satisfaction.

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The returns from this type of country are very encouraging, and my opinion is that all the ploughable Crown land in the locality should be developed. The Department still retains 134 acres of this block which is stocked with bullocks and heifers. The following is a summary of work completed to date : — Area cleared and stumped . . . . . . . . . . 802 acres. Area ploughed and grassed . . . . . . . . . . 204 acres. Area harrowed and grassed .. • . . • . . . . 470 acres. Area surface sown .. ■ • ■ ■ ■ • • • 128 acres. Area sown in lucerne . . . . . ■ • . ■ . . . 21 acres. Drains excavated .. .. • • • ■ • • .. 201 chains. Fences erected .. .. ■■ •• .. 2,768 chains. Drains cleared .. ■ ■ • ■ ■ ■ • • ■. 365 chains. Houses erected .. • ■ • ■ ■. • ■ .. 10 Cow-sheds erected . . ■ ■ ■ ■ . . . . 10 Store-sheds erected .. .. •. .. .. .. 10 Farms equipped . . . . • • • • .. .. 10 Water-supply .. .. • ■ • • • • • • Hydraulic ram, reservoir, 35,000 ft. piping and 28 troughs. Murupdra (1,470 acres). —Development-work was practically completed during the year, when thirteen fully equipped and stocked farms were handed over to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. On another farm, a small herd was milked on wages, whilst on the remaining area bullocks and heifers were depastured. Generally speaking, the prospects for this block are promising, but difficulty has been experienced in rearing some of the young stock, and it is evident that calves will require more care in the future. Good pasture establishment has been obtained under favourable seasonal conditions, and it is anticipated, despite the very light nature of the soil covering, that with stocking and proper attention to fertilizing, a steady improvement in the soil fertility will take place. The gravity-water-supply scheme has functioned well and requires very little attention except for the cleaning-out, of the settling-tanks and the opening of all sluice-valves. The recently completed valuations of the settled areas disclose that these are generally slightly below actual cost. In view of the extremely barren nature of the country in it's original state and the heavy cost of transport on all supplies, the results can be deemed satisfactory. The following is a summary of work completed : — Clearing and grassing .. •• •• . • 1,211 acres. Fencing . ? ■■ ■■ •• 3,327 chains. Plantations • . ■ • ■ ■ • ■ ■ • • • 232 chains. Houses . . • • ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ • ■ ■ 16 Cow-sheds .. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 15 Store-sheds ■. • • • • • • ■ • ■ ■ 15 Farms equipped . . .. • • . . . . 14 Water-supply .. . . ■ • • • • • • . Reservoir and headworks, 43,000 ft. pipes and 46 troughs. Broadlands (1,000 acres). —Development-work on this area is practically completed, and seven fully equipped and stocked farms were handed over to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Of the remaining sections one was dairyed on, whilst the grass on another was controlled by dry stock. The pastures on this area have done exceptionally well, particularly on the better-class land, and no trouble has been experienced with stock, consequently it must be considered as very healthy country. Lucerne was laid down on two areas and is satisfactorily established. Two water-wheels were erected in the central stream and provided the necessary power for reticulating water over the whole block. The following is a summary of the work completed :— Clearing .. .. • • • • • • •. 764 acres. Grassing and lucerne . . . . . . . . . . 665 acres. Crops . . ■ • • • • • • • • • ■ ■ 34 acres. Fencing • . • ■ • • ■ ■ ■ • • ■ 2,307 chains. .Plantations .. .. •• ... 176 chains. Cottages ■ • • ■ • • ■ • • • • • 10 Cow-sheds . . ■ ■ • . ■ • • ■ . • 9 Store-sheds . . . . . ■ • • ■ ■ ■ ■ 9 Farms equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Water-supply . • •. ■ ■ ■ • • ■ 2 water-wheels, pumps, and towers ; 28,000 ft. pipes and 25 troughs.

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Galatea Estate. —The following is a summary of operations carried out on this estate: — Clearing : Some 2,195 acres were cleared of scrub, stumped, and burnt in readiness for ploughing for either grass or swedes. Fencing : The fencing of section boundaries, roads, and internal subdivisions necessitated the erection of 1,459 chains. This total includes fencing required for the control of pastures and the fencing-oS of swedes. All posts were, as in previous years, obtained from an area of Crown bush at Te Whaiti, and a reserve supply of over 30,000 has been built up with a view to selling posts to incoming settlers on the estate. In addition, posts from this source have been forwarded to other development areas as far afield as Hoe-o-tainui. This particular small area of bush will be worked out during the coming year, and it will be necessary for another area to be made available for the operations of this Department. Buildings : The buildings erected comprised two large store-sheds for manure and thirty-three huts, the majority of the latter being transferred to small-farm areas. The existing quarters at the camp were improved by lining the huts and providing bathroom and other facilities. All existing buildings were maintained. The staff cottage was burnt down in March, and no reasonable solution can be given to this occurrence. It is necessary that this building should be replaced at an early date, and consequently tenders are now being called for its replacement, as well as for two other buildings. Water-supply : The gravity-water-supply scheme was maintained, and has given good service throughout the year not only for the stock, but also for the houses on the property. Minor extensions were made as required. Ploughing and Cultivation : The work carried out under this heading was for the sowing of station and share-farm swedes, as well as for new pasture. A total area of 2,887 acres was ploughed, and of this, 1,000 acres was sown in swedes and turnips, the balance in grass. An additional area of 326 acres was disked after the swedes were fed off and sown in grass. Experiments in controlling the brown-heart in swedes, by using 41b. of borax per acre when distributing the manure, were tried out in the crop fed off last year. The results were so promising that with this year's sowing of swedes the amount of borax was increased to 8 lb. per acre for all the area sown. Top-dressing : The area of station pasture top-dressed with manure during the year amounted to 7,080 acres. Plantations : All plantations were blanked as required, and it is noticeable that the pines have made very good progress during the year, this being especially the case along the terrace above the Whirinaki River, where some trees are now about 20 ft. in height. Draining : The drains were maintained as required, some 2,363 chains being cleaned. A length of 138 chains of new drain was constructed. Haymaking : Approximately 220 tons of hay was harvested, mostly with a view to providing some hay for the successful applicants for sections this winter. Workshop : A blacksmith and a mechanic were employed throughout the year in carrying out necessary repairs and overhaul of the cultivation and general plant, shoeing, &c. General: This included the maintenance of roads, bridges, fences, the receipt and issue of all stores for development-work, station, and share farms, destruction of ragwort, &c. -Ballot : Late in the year a ballot was held of sections at the southern end of the property, sixteen being disposed of. In addition, it is proposed to allot to the share farmers the sections at present occupied by them. The following schedule shows the main works carried out during the year :— Clearing .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,195 acres. Cultivation . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,808 acres. Disking for grass . . . . .. . . . . 326 acres. Grassing .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,134 acres. Swedes sown .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,000 acres. Turnips sown . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 acres. Top-dressing .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,080 acres. Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,459 chains. Drain-cleaning .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,195 chains. Drain-construction .. .. .. .. .. 138 chains. Buildings .. .. . . . . . . . . 2 store - sheds, 33 huts, 1 benzine-shed. Harvesting .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,100 bales hay and 59 tons in stack. Wharekohe Block.—The construction of the water-supply scheme for this block was practically completed during the year. The water is being raised by a hydraulic ram on a stream on the eastern end of the block to a concrete reservoir on an adjoining hill, from whence it is gravitated over the block. The working fall is 40 ft., whilst the lift is 300 ft,., and the ram has developed a capacity of 21,000 gallons per day. Summary of Work done : 8 Y Blake Hydram installed, 1 ; reservoir constructed, 1 ; waterpipe laid, 62,000 ft. ; sections reticulated, 13 ; troughs constructed and connected up, 40. Mains have also been laid to the seven remaining unselected sections.

29

C.—l

Summary of Worlc done. Miles ch. Number. Drains cleaned .. .. .. 320 78 Milking-sheds erected .. .. 25 Drains widened and deepened . . .. 26 30 Huts, sheds, and pig-shelters erected . . 62 Drains constructed (new) . . . . 7 River channels and canals maintained .. 19 72 Spoil excavated by machines .. .. 239 ,020 Ro.d, formed 42 £«3 Roads metalled 2 32 ed m Fences erected 77 64 A j 3;436 Stop-banks repaired 10 2j590 Area top-dressed and limed . . . . 7,160 Number. Area disked and harrowed . . . . 455 Floodgates, culverts, and bridges constructed 55 Area cultivated . . . . 1,639 Cottages erected .. .. ■ • 21 Area cropped .. . . .. 1, 072 Office. —The expenditure recorded totalled £229,129 lis. 3d., and of this amount £73,171 6s. 7d. was paid through the Thames and Whakatane Imprest Accounts. Vouchers numbering 5,430 were prepared and passed for payment. The revenue collected, including drainage rates, amounted to £16,069 2s. sd. Drainage Rates. —Drainage rates levied on the various areas totalled £17,580 18s. 2d., entailing 1,995 rate notices. Rates collected amounted to £17,354 12s. sd.

30

C.—1.

APPENDIX IV.—EXTRACTS FROM REPORT ON SMALL-FARMS SCHEME. (A. B. Jordan, Superintendent of Land Development, Te Kuiti.) A satisfactory advance has been made during the year in all of the activities of the Branch. The number of blocks under active development has increased from thirty to forty, the total area being approximately 40,000 acres. The area of new grass has increased considerably, and the total area of newly grassed land is now 3,872 acres. On most of the blocks the work is carried out in conjunction with the Public Works Department's District Office at Taumarunui and the Branch Offices at Te Kuiti, Hamilton, and Raetihi. A number of blocks are administered solely by this Branch and more have reached the stage at which the administration can be taken over with advantage. The total stock on thirty blocks at 31st March, 1937, was Steep • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,114 Dairy cattle .. .. . . .. . . .. 938 Run cattle .. .. .. .. . . .. ■ • 1,505 Horses . . .. .. . . ~ . . 164 Pigs ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ • • • ■ ■ .. .. . . 182 On the twenty-eight blocks carrying stock and for which trading accounts have been prepared the following information has been summarized : —■ £ s. d. Price of land or valuation .. .. .. .. 50,985 18 0 Development-costs, chargeable . . . . . . . . 118,821 2 7 Valuation of live-stock on hand .. .. .. .. 54,901 10 0 Interest at 5 per cent, on the above items .. .. .. 11,235 9 9 Gross returns .. . . . . . . .. .. 27,665 8 0 Gross surplus .. .. . . .. .. . . 21,633 13 0 Net surplus for the year .. .. .. .. 10,398 3 3 In preparing the trading accounts the live-stock has been taken at a reasonable market value. Four of the blocks ha.ve shown a net deficiency totalling £1,203 2s. Id., and this is mainly due to the fact that development operations are not far advanced and consequently returns from stock are low. The revenue for the year is made up from sales, &c., as follows :— £ s. d. Butterfat .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 4,439 5 4 Fat sheep . . . . . . . . . . .. .. ll'sOO 12 0 Store sheep .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,640 8 9 Wool . . .. .. .. .. 4,823 0 10 Cattle .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,152 0 3 Pigs • • .. .. .. 525 7 0 Sundries . . . . . . .. .. . . . . 109 16 10 Total .. .. .. .. .. £27,490 11 0 The expenditure during the year has been, on materials and wages chargeable to the land, £118,821 2s. 7d., and on live-stock, £40,167 10s. 10d., making a total of £158,988 13s. sd. chargeable to the land. The following information is of interest, being the gross expenditure on the twenty-eight blocks from their inception to 31st March, 1937 :— £ s. d. Unemployment Board expenditure not chargeable to the land .. 109,111 5 1 Wages— Vote, Settlement of Unemployed Workers . . . . . . 40,099 0 4 Vote, Lands and Survey .. .. .. 67,156 13 I Considered not chargeable to land .. .. 9,076 4 2 Total .. .. , . . . .. .. £225,443 2 8 Materials and other charges : Vote, Settlement Unemployed Workers .. .. .. .. .. .. 78,722 2 3 Considered not chargeable to land .. .. .. .. 21,023 0 3 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £99,745 2 6 Grand total of all expenditure .. .. £325,188 5 2

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C.—l

Total Work completed on Thirty Blocks. Fencing, new .. .. .. . . .. 14,156 chains. Fencing, repaired .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,872 chains. Shelter-belts .. .. .. .. .. • • 875 chains. Posts split .. .. .. . . .. .. 31,060 Strainers split .. .. .. .. .. . ■ 4,566 Battens split .. . . .. .. .. • ■ 368,800 Roads formed .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,868 chains. Roads metalled .. . . .. . . .. .. 1,508 chains. Stumping and clearing .. .. .. .. .. 6,478 acres. Bush felling. . .. .. .. .. .. .. 443 acres. Clearing ragwort and other weeds .. .. .. .. 6,541 acres. Ploughing and cultivation .. .. .. .. .. 5,181 acres. Sown in grass .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,872 acres. Sown in crops . . . . . . . . . . • ■ 2,503 acres. Fern cleared .. .. .. .. .. 2,161 acres. Water-supplies .. .. .. .. .. ■. 8,058 chains. Top-dressed . . .. .. .. .. .. 7,289 acres. Drains (new) .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,353 chains. Drains (clearing, &c.) .. .. .. .. .. 1,678 chains. Logging and burning .. .. .. .. .. 599 acres. The population of the blocks is : —■ Prospective settlers and wives .. . . . . . . . . 300 Children 253 Workmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 821 Results from the four main blocks —Pururu, Ngatamahine, Lee's and Mairoa are again compared : — 1934-35. 1955-36. 1936-37. £ £ £ Development-costs .. .. .. 16,795 24,361 46,669 Interest charges 1,827 2,450 4,086 Gross returns .. .. .. .. 3,200 8,002 9,979 Net surplus .. .. .. .. 436 3,214 5,631 On these four blocks the following are the figures showing the sales of produce for the three years : — 1834-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. £ £ £ Butterfat 617 1,912 3,449 Fat lambs* 941 1,571 1,118 Fat sheep .. .. ■■ 181 1,222 1,817 Store sheep ■■ •• 550 1,049 275 Wool .. •• ■■ ..286 576 1,543 Dairy cattle .. • ■ • ■ • • 382 166 521 Run cattle .. •• •• 185 1,281 737 Pigs .. .. .. .. .. 62 194 416 Sales of fat lambs have dropped as an increasing number have been bred and retained for replacements and adding to flocks. Store-sheep sales have decreased, as it was not necessary this year to cull as heavily as last year, while run-cattle sales are lower because of the need to run more cattle, and younger stock have been purchased. The increases in sales of butterfat, wool, and pigs are very satisfactory and indicate that the farming practice adopted is sound. Four Main Blocks. 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. Number of lambs sold 1,021 1,579 918 Weight (total pounds) .. .. .. 31,250 49,648 29,877 Gross returnf .. •• ■■ •• £910 £1,494 £1,041 Net return .. ■■ •• £866 £1,419 £1,005 Average weight per lamb (lb.) .. .. 30-60 31-44 32-55 Average price per lamb . . .. 17s. 18s. 21s. lid. 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. Number of bales . . • ■ • • 48 55 76 Weight of wool (lb.) 17,717 20,597 28,471 Value of wool .. .. .. £285 15s. 2d. £576 10s. 3d. £1,541 15s. Bd. Price per pound .. .. •• 3-87 d. 6-72 d. 12-99 d. Price per bale • • ■ ■ • • • ■ £5 19s. Id. £10 9s. Bd. £20 ss. 9d.

* Includes sales and transfers. f Cash sales only.

32

C.—l.

Thus during the year on the four main blocks the increases most notable are ®} ltt ® rfat £1,537 (80 per cent.). „. 00 '• •• ■■ •• £967 (168 per cent.). £222 (115 per cent,). *at lambs (average weight) Ml i b . (31 per cent,). Weight of wool 7,874 lb. (38 per cent.). 1 n„ Tk car ryi n g- ca P ac ity of the four blocks at 31st March, 1936, as compared with that at 31st March 1937, is as follows : — 31st March, 31st March, Percentage cii 1936. 1937. Increase. kheep •• •• 2,800 6,345 120 JJairy cattle .. .. .. 574 638 n Run cattle .. .. .. .. 233 479 106 The major improvements effected to 31st March, 1936, and 31st March, 1937, on the four blocks are as under :— Improvements effected on the Fotir Main Blocks* At 31st March, At 31st March, 1936 . 1937 _ Increase. fencing (chains) .. .. .. ..4,412 6,469 3 057 Drams (chains) .. .. .. .. 540 1,552 I^ol2 Stumping and clearing (acres) .. .. 1,189 2,489 l'sOO Ploughing and cultivation (acres) .. .. 999 l'ô99 700 Permanent pasture (new) (acres) .. .1 024 1 <W6 Q79 Sown in crops (acres) M .. ' .. .. '295 906 6H Total expenditure on the four blocks as at 31st March, 1937, was £ s ci Unemployment Board Expenditure : Not chargeable to land .. 41,613 15 9 Wages— Vote, Settlement l bf Unemployed Workers .. .. 13,807 16 2 Vote, Lands and Survey .. .. .. 23'0i3 0 1 Considered not chargeable .. .. .. .. 6,'696 10 1 Total •• •• •• .. £85,131 2 1 Materials and other charges (chargeable) .. .. 22,860 18 7 Materials and other charges (considered not chargeable) .. 18,949 4 5 Total •• •• •• •• .. £51,810 3 0 Crand total £136,941 5 1

* Major improvements effected (approximate).

The increasing demand for stock has been partly met by breeding, and this year approximately eight thousand ewes are m lamb to Eomney rams It is intended to extend this practice so that in time all replacements will be bred. A commencement has been made to breed cattle for the schemes, and this year 450 Polled Angus heifers were run with Polled Angus bulls. This will also be extended, as the need for cattle is constant and great difficulty has been experienced m procuring sufficient of the right class. In regard to the dairy herds, this year all replacements necessary have been bred and also sufficient for extending the herds. Five herds have been tested, and it is satisfactory to find that with the total number of tested cows (334) the average production per cow for an average period of 236 days was 230 lb. of butterfat and forty-one of the cows had a production exceeding 300 lb. The class of stock bred and the general condition of the stock is most satisfactory. It is a matter of considerable satisfaction to report that sheep-breeding has been accomplished at Mairoa which, on account of its unsoundness for sheep and very bad state of ragwort-infested deterioration, was considered to be a very difficult proposition to rehabilitate. Though it is too soon to make a definite statement that the problem has been completely overcome, yet it is felt that a definite advance has been made. Another experiment of considerable interest was that undertaken at Arohena, a " bush sick " badly ragwort-infested district lying to the south of the Arapuni Dam. In this case it was decided to endeavour to control the ragwort as well as assist the Crown settlers with their farming operations. This district was originally bush-clad and has been in grass for about twenty years. Every year great difficulty has been experienced in rearing lambs, and consequently purchases of sheep have been necessary Ragwort has rendered dairying operations unsatisfactory, and altogether the settlers were in serious difficulty, but were considered to be a hardworking lot of men well worth any assistance that could be given. It was decided to purchase wethers and allot them to settlers, special arrangements having been made for their financial requirements. Two thousand wethers were distributed amongst nine settlers, and a further 1,200 wethers were placed on the Arohena Central Farm., an area of 960 acres of abandoned Crown land being now developed by this Branch.

5—C. 1.

33

C.—l.

The results were most satisfactory, as, in spite of the very large amount of ragwort, there were very few losses and the wethers were all fattened and sold at a profit. The additional sheep enabled a much better pasture-control on the various sections which were carrying ewes, and this had the effect of reducing the losses due to the " bush sickness " very considerably and also enabled a much larger number of lambs to be sold than has been the case previously. The settlers who participated in this experiment are now under the control of the State Advances Corporation and arrangements are being made to ensure that a fresh supply of sheep will be available in time this season. The success of the first year's experiment warrants close attention being given to this district to make certain that proper provision is made for winter feed, additional fencing erected so that grazing can be properly controlled and adequate arrangements for the marketing of produce, especially fat lambs. The standard of work has been maintained and it has been found advisable to adopt standard plans for houses, cow-sheds, store-sheds, fences, gates, &c., on all of the later blocks. There has been an increased output of work due to higher wages being paid, and also to the greater experience of the men. Although some of the blocks are producing well, it is desired to stress the desirability of continuing the farming of them by this Branch as at present. By this means not only will settlers have a better start, but also the capacity of the blocks to produce will be better known, as strict accounts will be kept, and although there will be delay it is felt that this disadvantage will be more than offset by there being a far better chance of the settler succeeding and the Crown's security will be better protected. It must be remembered that in the past it has taken the old pioneer settlers a lifetime to reach the stage that can now be reached in from five to ten years by the present methods. The prospective settlers who are placed on land which has been properly developed will be fully occupied in maintaining the improvements and increasing the production, and it is both possible and desirable to lay down a satisfactory policy of farm routine and have it carried out than to expect a settler to develop new ground and maintain improvements, which may be beyond his capacity. This would lead to the creation of dissatisfied men and women and Crown securities again reverting. In conclusion, it is desired to draw attention to the fact that there has been very little sickness or dissatisfaction amongst the 820 men, women, and children who depend on the schemes for their living.

Schedule I. —Comparative Table of Gross Production on Four Main Blocks for Three Years ended 31st March, 1937.

Schedule 2 .—Average Wool Returns from Four Main Blocks during the Three Years ended 31st March, 1937.

34

α-i. 34 The results were most satisfactory, as, in spite of the very large amount of ragwort, there were very few losses and the wethers were all fattened and sold at a profit. The additional sheep enabled a much better pasture-control on the various sections which were carrying ewes, and this had the effect of reducing the losses due to the " bush sickness " very considerably and also enabled a much larger number of lambs to be sold than has been the case previously. The settlers who participated in this experiment are now under the control of the State Advances Corporation and arrangements are being made to ensure that a fresh supply of sheep will be available in time this season. The success of the first year's experiment warrants close attention being given to this district to make certain that proper provision is made for winter feed, additional fencing erected so that grazing can be properly controlled and adequate arrangements for the marketing of produce, especially fat lambs. The standard of work has been maintained and it has been found advisable to adopt standard plans for houses, cow-sheds, store-sheds, fences, gates, &c, on all of the later blocks. There has been an increased output of work due to higher wages being paid, and also to the greater experience of the men. Although some of the blocks are producing well, it is desired to stress the desirability of continuing the farming of them by this Branch as at present. By this means not only will settlers have a better start, but also the capacity of the blocks to produce will be better known, as strict accounts will be kept, and although there will be delay it is felt that this disadvantage will be more than offset by there being a far better chance of the settler succeeding and the Crown's security will be better protected. It must be remembered that in the past it has taken the old pioneer settlers a lifetime to reach the stage that can now be reached in from five to ten years by the present methods. The prospective settlers who are placed on land which has been properly developed will be fully occupied in maintaining the improvements and increasing the production, and it is both possible and desirable to lay down a satisfactory policy of farm routine and have it carried out than to expect a settler to develop new ground and maintain improvements, which may be beyond his capacity. This would lead to the creation of dissatisfied men and women and Crown securities again reverting. In conclusion, it is desired to draw attention to the fact that there has been very little sickness or dissatisfaction amongst the 820 men, women, and children who depend on the schemes for their living. Schedule I.— Compaeative Table of Gross Production on Four Main Blocks fob Three Years ended 31st March, 1937. Butterfat. Fat Lambs. Fat Sheep. Store Sheep. Wool. o <O l> iO SD l> IO 5O l> W5 <g £• 4h to «o 4 in to 4i ■ *a <& -a «i «J 3 1£ <£ sssisssissssisi £££££££££££££££ Pururu 201 547 1,059 135 293 56 126 185 15 188 456 175 53 93 415 Lee's Nil 268 556 74 129 301 Nil 6 82 32 2 93 10 28 133 Nsatamahine 416 1,097 1,834 732 1,149 435 55 264 804 330 591 7 223 386 717 Mairoa .. Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 326 Nil 767 916 Nil Nil Nil Nil 69 278 Totals .. 617 1,912 3,449 941 1,571 1,118 181 1,222 1,817 550 1,049 275 286 576 1,543 Dairy Cattle. Run Cattle. Pigs. Sundries. Total Gross Revenue. ift tô i> IO SO l> Iβ <© l> 'O <O l> O O l> S ' « « » «a cocpspeocpcOMco M cp 4, ,i A -A .A i 4. J> A 4. A A 4 & A g § § % §§§§§§§§§ g S ■r-1 ,—I rH rH i—IrHi—It—i ,-h t—i r-1 r-[ t—( rH t—I o £ £ p ££■££££££ £ £ £ Pururu Nil 86 61 185 501 556 14 36 149 4 11 19 899 2,208 2,505 Lee ' s 2 Nil 123 Nil. Nil Nil Nil 38 53 Nil 1 5 118 472 1,346 Nsatamahine 380 80 337 Nil 304 181 48 120 214 4 19 33 2,190 4,010 4,562 Mairoa .. Nil Nil Nil Nil 476 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 1 1 Nil 1,313 1,521 Totals .. 382 166 521 185 1,281 737 62 194 416 8 32 58 3,207 8,003 9,934 J_ Schedule 2. Average Wool Returns from Four Main Blocks during the Three Years ended»31st March, 1937. Increase 1936-37 compared with 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. "j 1934-35. 1935-36. Number of bales .. 48 55 76 28 21 Weight of wool (pounds) 17,717 20,597 28,471 10,754 7,874 Value of wool .. £285 15s. 2d. £576 10s. 3d. £1,541 15s. 8d. £1,256 0s. 6d. £965 5s. 5d. Price per pound .. 3-87d. 6-72d. 12-99d. 9-12d. 6-27d. Price per bale .. £5 19s. Id. £10 9s. 8d. £20 5s. 9d. £14 6s. 8d. £9 16s. Id.

α-i. 34 The results were most satisfactory, as, in spite of the very large amount of ragwort, there were very few losses and the wethers were all fattened and sold at a profit. The additional sheep enabled a much better pasture-control on the various sections which were carrying ewes, and this had the effect of reducing the losses due to the " bush sickness " very considerably and also enabled a much larger number of lambs to be sold than has been the case previously. The settlers who participated in this experiment are now under the control of the State Advances Corporation and arrangements are being made to ensure that a fresh supply of sheep will be available in time this season. The success of the first year's experiment warrants close attention being given to this district to make certain that proper provision is made for winter feed, additional fencing erected so that grazing can be properly controlled and adequate arrangements for the marketing of produce, especially fat lambs. The standard of work has been maintained and it has been found advisable to adopt standard plans for houses, cow-sheds, store-sheds, fences, gates, &c, on all of the later blocks. There has been an increased output of work due to higher wages being paid, and also to the greater experience of the men. Although some of the blocks are producing well, it is desired to stress the desirability of continuing the farming of them by this Branch as at present. By this means not only will settlers have a better start, but also the capacity of the blocks to produce will be better known, as strict accounts will be kept, and although there will be delay it is felt that this disadvantage will be more than offset by there being a far better chance of the settler succeeding and the Crown's security will be better protected. It must be remembered that in the past it has taken the old pioneer settlers a lifetime to reach the stage that can now be reached in from five to ten years by the present methods. The prospective settlers who are placed on land which has been properly developed will be fully occupied in maintaining the improvements and increasing the production, and it is both possible and desirable to lay down a satisfactory policy of farm routine and have it carried out than to expect a settler to develop new ground and maintain improvements, which may be beyond his capacity. This would lead to the creation of dissatisfied men and women and Crown securities again reverting. In conclusion, it is desired to draw attention to the fact that there has been very little sickness or dissatisfaction amongst the 820 men, women, and children who depend on the schemes for their living. Schedule I.— Compaeative Table of Gross Production on Four Main Blocks fob Three Years ended 31st March, 1937. Butterfat. Fat Lambs. Fat Sheep. Store Sheep. Wool. o <O l> iO SD l> IO 5O l> W5 <g £• 4h to «o 4 in to 4i ■ *a <& -a «i «J 3 1£ <£ sssisssissssisi £££££££££££££££ Pururu 201 547 1,059 135 293 56 126 185 15 188 456 175 53 93 415 Lee's Nil 268 556 74 129 301 Nil 6 82 32 2 93 10 28 133 Nsatamahine 416 1,097 1,834 732 1,149 435 55 264 804 330 591 7 223 386 717 Mairoa .. Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 326 Nil 767 916 Nil Nil Nil Nil 69 278 Totals .. 617 1,912 3,449 941 1,571 1,118 181 1,222 1,817 550 1,049 275 286 576 1,543 Dairy Cattle. Run Cattle. Pigs. Sundries. Total Gross Revenue. ift tô i> IO SO l> Iβ <© l> 'O <O l> O O l> S ' « « » «a cocpspeocpcOMco M cp 4, ,i A -A .A i 4. J> A 4. A A 4 & A g § § % §§§§§§§§§ g S ■r-1 ,—I rH rH i—IrHi—It—i ,-h t—i r-1 r-[ t—( rH t—I o £ £ p ££■££££££ £ £ £ Pururu Nil 86 61 185 501 556 14 36 149 4 11 19 899 2,208 2,505 Lee ' s 2 Nil 123 Nil. Nil Nil Nil 38 53 Nil 1 5 118 472 1,346 Nsatamahine 380 80 337 Nil 304 181 48 120 214 4 19 33 2,190 4,010 4,562 Mairoa .. Nil Nil Nil Nil 476 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 1 1 Nil 1,313 1,521 Totals .. 382 166 521 185 1,281 737 62 194 416 8 32 58 3,207 8,003 9,934 J_ Schedule 2. Average Wool Returns from Four Main Blocks during the Three Years ended»31st March, 1937. Increase 1936-37 compared with 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. "j 1934-35. 1935-36. Number of bales .. 48 55 76 28 21 Weight of wool (pounds) 17,717 20,597 28,471 10,754 7,874 Value of wool .. £285 15s. 2d. £576 10s. 3d. £1,541 15s. 8d. £1,256 0s. 6d. £965 5s. 5d. Price per pound .. 3-87d. 6-72d. 12-99d. 9-12d. 6-27d. Price per bale .. £5 19s. Id. £10 9s. 8d. £20 5s. 9d. £14 6s. 8d. £9 16s. Id.

C.—l.

Schedule 3.—Comparative Table of Trading Results of Four Main Blocks for Three Years ended 31st March, 1937.

Summary.

Table 1. -Return showing (approximately) Position of Lands in the Dominion at 31st March, 1937.

35

Development-costs. Interest Charges. Block. — ___ 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. ££££££ Pururu .. .. 6,500 8,863 15,188 423 616 1,082 Lee's .. .. 1,395* 2,655 4,098 86* 248 338 Ngatamahine .. 6,600 7,823 16,702 1,160 1,184 1 804 Mairoa .. .. 2,300* 5,020 10,681 158* 402 '862 Totals .. .. 16,795 24,361 46,669 1,827 2,450 4,086 Gross Returns. Net Surplus. Accumulated -r,, , .Net burplus Block. as J 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 31s *^ roh ' ££££££ £ Pururu .. .. 898 2,207 2,505 95 592 1,402 2,089 Lee ' s •• •• 116 471 1,391 65f 363 672 970 Ngatamahine .. 2,186 4,011 4,562 550 2,351 3,125 6 026 Mairoa .. .. Nil 1,313 1,521 144f 92f 432 'l96 Totals .. 3,200 8,002 9,979 436 3,214 5,631 9,281 * Approximate. f Approximate loss.

■Increase 1936-37 compared with 1934-35. 1935-36. 1936-37. 1934-35. 1935-36. £ £ £ £ £ Development-costs .. .. 16,795 24,361 46,669 29,874 22 308 Interest charges .. .. 1,827 2,450 4,806 2,259 l'636 Gross returns .. .. 3,200 8,002 9,979 6,779 l'977 Net surplus .. .. 436 3,214 5,631 5'l95 2^17

Total Area Land unfit for Total Area Total Area , Crown Lands Total Area of Settlement District sold or granted reserved for „ under Crown Lands Total Area (including Total Area and held on Public , Tenures available for of Area occupied in Land Freehold. Purposes. (exclusive of Future Native Land. by Rivers, District. Reserves leased Disposal. Lakes, Roads, by Crown). & c .). ... ., , ,, . Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres North Auckland .. 2,621,141 445,417 526,546 151,717 515,951 217,428 4 478 200 Auckland .. .. 2,752,937 1,244,735 868,684 544,084 1,634,634 1,175,499 8|22o!573 Gisborne .. .. 1,147,135 486,075 508,162 78,256 1,042,029 254,269 3 515 926 Hawke s Bay .. 1,560,258 202,528 539,773 65,517 371,360 178 450 2 917's86 Taranaki .. .. 1,124,661 345,470 610,679 85,462 165,716 2'404'431 Wellington* .. .. 3,533,010 1,073,186 787,221 131,902 786,024 739 726 7'o5l'o69 Nelson .. 660,981 2,392,943 757,351 100,106 30,051 773,568 4;715;000 Marlborough .. .. 790,810 350,407 1,502,382 16,082 .. 108.319 2 768 000 Westland .. .. 168,579 2,173,035 647,440 405,232 469 092 3'863'378 Canterbury .. .. 3,565,055 1,458,338 3,936,215 38,285 .. 48o'ō37 9'47s'430 Otago .. .. 1,982,456 955,619 5,451,924 19,151 .. 612'l27 9'o2l'277 Southland .. .. 1,858,686 4,526,485 1,354,381 87,147 .. 7^956^026 Totals .. 21,765,709 15,654,238 17,490,758 1,722,941 4,545,765 ~5~210,785 66,39o7l96 * Includes Chatham Islands.

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Table 2.—Lands selected during the Year ended 31st March, 1937.

Table 3.—Lands held on Lease at 31st March, 1937.

36

Pastoral Licenses | Miniī1fr Di^tripf^ Tw errpr ! „ L „ _ . -r. i. i t> in Mining Districts t Miscellaneous Education Tntnid Cash. Payments. Renewable Lease. Small Grazmg-runs. Pastoral Runs. under Special j Land Occupation Le ases, etc. Endowments. Tota,s - Land District. ; Regulations. | . •' I . . . U I \— : * No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. j No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. North Auckland 22 945 62 940 27 5,642 26 3,861 16 363 153 11,751 Auckland .. .. .. .. 43 6,594 94 3,781 36 8,986 .. .. .. .. 2 409 1 3 97 13,621 2 349 275 33 >^ 3 Gisborne .. 4 5 1 9 3 3,370 j 16 8,573 1 8 25 11,965 Hawkc's Bay 3 6 5 6,747 17 8,203 1 4,327 10 1,115 1 .. 37 20,398 Tnranaki 5 264 . .. 18 4,747 .. .. .. •• •• •• •• I 0 91 5 272 33 5,374 Wellington " !! -.16 23 30 1,013 10 6,864 74 12,226 11 1,833 141 21,959 Nelson .. .. .. 1 .. 2 267 9 2,978 .. .. .. .. 3 962 .. 167 5,222 .. .. 182 9,429 Marlborough .. .. 1 1 .. .. 3 893 .. .. 3 59,524 8 153 1 2 16 60,573 "and 6 2 3 1 6 206 5 1,078 6 12 92 7,303 2 147 120 8,749 Canterbury .. .. ..14 86 1 4 19 4,197 .. .. 6 120,890 .. .. .. .. 126 4,903 14 2,750 180 132,830 Otaeo .. .. ..12 309 3 2,104 9 1,412 2 5,695 3 10,835 .. .. 5 50 44 3,660 9 2 87 24,067 Southland .. .. .. .. 2 11 2 152 4 549 1 549 8 114,501 .. .. .. .. 42 4,085 34 2,493 93 122,340 Totals ,. .. .. 129 8,246 203 15,018 161 48,047 4 10,571 20 305,750 10 2,449 12 65 707 64,813 96 8,219 1,342 463,178

p f i Mining T»pfprrpH . Occunation with Small Grazing- , , -r, Districts Land Perpetual Miscellaneous Leases Education tw«1s Pa$.ente. Lease in Perpetuity. Renewable Lease. aVghtSSSe. runs ® Pastoral Kuns. oecupation Leases. and Licenses. Endowments. Totals - Land District. Leases. , | — j i No. Area. No. ] Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. 1 Area. No. j Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. j Area. No. Area. No. Area. _ . : j" : I j I Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. North Auckland 579 57,069 422 67,123 1,169 235,931 524 83,155 .. .. 1 553 .. .. 1 64 6 202 496 97,848 777 44,824 3,975 586,769 Auckland 1550 167,320 353 94,242 1,372 276,417 617 170,291 6 22,264 1 8,755 96 23,666 133 1,815 .. .. 926 75,832* 186 34,227 5,240 874,829 Gisborne 68 17,484 81 42,648 328 186,338 78 52,412 72 162,283 .. 134 23,155 70 38,696 831 523,016 Hawke's Bay 138 33,995 405 108,345 590 227,092 135 40,525 21 41,221 9 62,034 1 2 123 26,738 192 51,961 1,614 591,913 Taranaki 154 19,094 580 142,091 503 173,463 323 124,889 2 3,336 .. 1 328 287 49,939 617 46,183 2,467 559,323 Wellington 831 103,148 1,019 142,122 1,134 215,569 360 132,066 15 24,667 6 10.825 2 476 640 38,428 516 103,180 4,523 770,481 Nelson 67 15,553 341 105,469 640 248,388 42 17.158 6 9,603 3 195,714 128 26,346 17 538 1 104 441 114,243 132 7,820 1,818 740,936 Marlborough 39 17,660 542 173,776 298 161,414 68 18,298 108 276,207 42 846.482 7 53 226 12,421 34 1,410 1,364 1,507,721 Westland 80 8,177 350 40,061 712 82,326 16 3,233 .. .. 38 514,035 260 48,502 142 881 1 50 802 193,814 135 15,483 2,536 906,562 Canterbury 83 26 547 1,444 251,067 898 362,674 7 1,031 130 448,935 121 2,795,060 54 1,663 1,035 199,595+ 235 70,847 4,007 4,157,419 Otaso 89 45 323 1296 276,681 1,110 372,045 119 16,957 385 1,449,149 316 3,290,025 .. .. 370 12,277 67 3,412 1,382 127,955} 442 46,472 5,576 5,640,296 Southland .. 109 15,004 534 90,240 431 86,467 145 23,363 21 65,538 64 1,120,057 .. .. 41 1,270 16 188 440 52,731 811 336,189 2,612 1,791,047 Totals .. 3,787 526,374 7,367 1,533,865 9,185 2,628,124 2,434 683,378 766 2,503,203 601 8,843,540 484 98,514 704 16,845 156 6,478 6,932 1,012,699 4,147 797,290 36,563 18,650,312 * Includes Thermal Springs District leases. t Includes Hanmer Crown Leases. t Includes Agricultural Leases. Note. —This table includes national endowments and education endowments, but excludes other endowments administered by Land Boards.

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Table 4.-Lands disposed of under the Land for Settlements Act to the 31st March, 1937.

Table 5.—Endowment Lands administered by Land Boards and leased at 31st March, 1937.

37

>» . Area of Land Total Area purchased for . "S unlet, including Cash and made Freehold Total Lands leased to Date. a 13 Land forfeited, to Date. Rent and Total Area 5"™ surrendered, or — other Receipts Lan d District. ««nulrprl resumed, and not *8 g I o „• Payments from incep4 1 §gg relet, and also received tiontoSlst «s Land not yet £ j2 Area. f? £ "8 Area Annual during March, £ $ offered for realized. rea " Rental, the Year. 1937. ; Selection. |g j Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. £ Acres. £ £ £ JN. Auckland 53,941 1,131 1,843 260 3,890 44,173 297 47,077 15,449 16,510 264 059 Auckland .. 360,730 77,464 17,413 887152,520 365,996 816 113,333 35,321 66,1081,232'831 Gisborne .. 87,808 423 12,958 57 9,171 73,594 224 65,256 25,101 23,590 400 053 HawkesBay 228,649 2,430 2,870 161 32,147 202,681 587 191,202 70,039 75,2861,208!276 Taranaki .. 28,236 258 3,177 63 2,228 42,271 140 22,573 9,223 8,847 253,267 Wellington .. 161,641 1,046 5,403 540 18,732 212,796 904 136,460 74,699 65,4201,550,772 M i»? u" J!9' 370 973 10,654 7 1,636 2,959 64 47,107 2,729 2,120 70,247 Marlborough 235,867 2,641 697 61 12,006 49,714 481 220,523 31,958 31,407 954 734 Westland .. 6,033 80 101 5 576 550 36 5,276 850 1,051 21,027 Canterbury .. 607,335 4,603 3,326 353 25,835 198,7851.854 573,571 156,661 148,234 4,301,557 cfui J " 3 ' 862 168 87 8 > 269 43,473 1,149 327,921 86,680 82,4281,984,419 southland .. 100,974 1,048 539 138 18,751 73,671 350 80,636 19,709 19,079 541,482 Totals .. 2,271,80495,959 59,149 2,619 285,7611,310,663 6,9021,830,935 528,419 540,08012,782,724

National Endowment. Education Endowments. Other Endowments. Totals. Land District. §3 ~ g j —s r — u * J |iaa 1 Axea. — | Area . !A = , | ; „ — - —B i fc 1 jzj I Acres - £ Acres. £ Acres. £ Acre-* -P North Auckland 476 105,159 7,652 777 44,824 8,912 9 1,554 33 1 262 151 537 lfi W7 Auckland .. 525 149,672 4,973 186 34,227 ' 6 64 19 2 529 854 '730 '' Gisborne .. 74 i30,840 9,807 70 38,696 6,901 13 1,073 313 157 170 609 17 021 HawkesBay.. 53 39,568 4,621 192 51,961 10,038 4 4] 31 249 91'570 14 690 Taranakr .. 160 61,310 2,751 617 46,183 10,839 18 9,698 1,195 795 117 191 4 785 Wellington .. 118 60,935 4,208 516 103.180 31,889 60 17.156 2,733 694 18l'271 38 830 w 6l T „ S 225,019 3 ' 761 132 7 ' 820 601 609 16.415 I 694 1,366 249 254 e'o56 MarlborougH .. 199 541,338 8,377 34 1.410 519 . 233 <549'7,1« s'sqr Westland .. 936 192,384 3,531 135 15,483 863 20 10 'l09 1,091 207'877 4'ō03 Canterbury .. 1541,668,589 39,918 235 70,847 27,951 205 17,092 1,906 594 1 756'528 69 775 2*»??. , •• 40,806 442 46,472 6,023 68177 290 8 145 1,272 2 732,'508 54 974 Southland .. 229 765,670 7,177 811 336,189 20,410 13 109,259 2,258 MllJlS 291846 Totals .. 4,3116,449,230137,5824,147 797,292 125,6101,038 352,117 19.271 9,496 7,598,639 282,463

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Table 6.—Total Receipts, Arrears, and Postponements. Receipts, Year ended 31st March, 1937.

38

(Total receipts from debtors and exclusive of credits on account departmental expenditure, &c.) Total. Head Office. Auckland Auckland. Gisborne. 6 S Taranaki. Wellington. Marlborough. Nelson. Westland. Canterbury. Otago. Southland. Ordinary Revenue. Territorial revenue — £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Crown lands .. .. .. 263,846 1,377 15,750 32,401 22,031 47,371 19,125 28,129 8,852 3,802 4,656 28,089 38,394 13,869 Hauraki .. .. .. 9,634 .. .. 9,634 Swamp . . .. .. 455 .. .. 455 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - • • • • • Small farms .. .. .. 5,800 .. 2,452 724 16 1,803 83 99 28 117 .. 75 185 218 Miscellaneous fees .. .. 2,475 .. 264 346 48 89 182 179 53 373 184 215 337 205 National endowment .. .. 152,632 15,185 5,682 4,271 8,820 5,586 2,567 3,727 7,511 3,544 6,253 42,053 40,615 6,818 Westport Harbour Board Endowment 2,057 .. .. . • •• •• •• •• •• 2,057 Interest on public moneys — _ _ Survey liens .. .. .. 920 .. .. 257 80 79 110 365 .. .. .. 10 19 Small farms .. .. .. 10,764 .. 4,541 3,779 49 183 672 720 141 33 30 55 113 448 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 199 .. 114 . . . . 13 9 7 .. .. .. 22 34 Registration and other fees .. .. 19 .. 11 5 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Other receipts —Miscellaneous — Hauraki Plains .. .. .. 685 .. .. 685 Kauri-gum . . .. . . 14 14 Rangitaiki .. .. .. 3,560 .. .. 3,560 .. .. .. .. .. .. • • • • • • • • Scenery-preservation . . .. 1,120 .. 447 4 2 44 4 136 3 28 330 3 19 100 Swamp .. .. .. 286 .. .. 286 Deposits Account. Education Reserves, primary — _ _ Sales .. .. .. 8,771 .. 135 8,610 .. .. 3 1 .. .. .. •• Rents .. .. .. .. 117,412 1,922 6,200 2,640 7,156 8,849 9,094 26,447 565 484 1,754 25,495 4,879 21,927 Education Reserves, secondary — Sales .. .. .. .. .. .. • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • Rents .. .. .. .. 13,854 1,573 3,141 525 .. 1,938 1,191 4,060 78 106 27 179 768 268 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 6,651 .. .. 77 .. 2,228 1,486 2,340 .. .. 520 Public Works Fund. Small farms: Capital receipts .. 52,988 .. 18,082 21,056 22 875 3,127 2,896 107 174 54 5 3,823 2,76/ Survey liens : Principal .. .. 8,426 -5,004 .. 914 262 970 167 1,052 27 .. .. 10 Hauraki Plains: Sales .. .. 8,697 .. .. 8,697 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 208 80 78 .. .. 20 . . .. .. .. .. 20 10 Land for Settlements Account. Receipts derived from estates — i Rents &c . .. .. 461,367 38 13,558 36,583 17,574 62,745 8,630 61,017 26,119 2,010 714 141,851 73,986; 16,542 Sales'.. .. .. .. 78,712 .. 2,952 29,525 6,016 12,542 216 4,403 5,288 110 337 6,344 8,442! 2,537 Sales of Crown land .. .. 98,602 2,579 22,296 25,409 1,724 20,342 3,760 12,938 183 652 947 2,658 1,674 | 3,440 Land Act, 1924, section 208 .. 3,345 .. .. 360 .. .. 207 .. .. .. .. 1,502 1,276 j Farm receipts .. .. .. 12,700 .. .. .. 10,225 .. .. .. .. .. •• 2,475

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By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1937.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (750 copies, ncluding illustrations and graphs), £75.

Price Is. 3d.

39

Hutt Valley — Rents, &c. . . .. .. 5,738 .. .. . . # g 738 Sales.. .. .. .. 8,662 .. .. .. .. " *' 8'662 Deteriorated Land Act, 1925 — Repayments .. .. 1,476 .. .. 109 .. .. .. 1 367 Interest .. .. .. 366 . . .. 149 .. ' ' 2 17 National-endowment sales .. 14,254 .. 367 3,577 "8 "482 151 !! 18 "291 "l06 "450 Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 (development) — Valuation fees .. .. .. 95 .. 43 52 Section 8, receipts — Sales.. .. .. .. 2,482 .. 50 1,914 .. .. . 518 Rents, &c. .. .. .. 4,829 .. 657 3,813 .. .. .. 185 15 " " "iso Sections 7 and 14— " " lōa Repayments .. .. .. 14,164 .. 4,466 7,086 321 4 1,148 1 074 65 Interest .. 8,310 .. 3,980 3,293 252 55 205 '36O 5 9 .'. " "l5 136 Local Bodies Deposit Account. Mining district land occupation .. 1,807 .. 6 271 .. .. .. .. .. 36 198 1 nog 210 Thermal Springs leases .. .. 1,467 .. .. 1,467 Otago University .. .. .. 6,036 .. .. .. " " " " " " " i'ai7 i'oio Clutlia River Trust .. .. 1,649 . . .. .. '' ' '' '' '' 2' 649 Miscellaneous 5,062 .. 78 ." !! " " 6 14 " " "322 "296 'ō09 ī',768 1,402,596 27,772 | 105,350 214,009 83,402 165,744 52,468 167,402 48,960 13,568 16,617 251,465 183,081 72,758 Abbeaks and Postponements as at 31st Makch, 1937. Arrears .. .. .. .. 942,858 .. 60,466 61,526 48,362 95,801 28,629 141,730 49,683 10,141 6,644 240,910 144.215 54,751 Postponements .. .. .. 98,593 .. 9,327 15,446 10,424 16,471 1,467 4,807 4,568 591 72 11,134 16,621 7,665 Total outstanding .. 1,041,451 .. 69,793 76,972 58,786 112,272 30,096 146,537 54,251 10,732 6,716 252,044 160,836 62,416 1

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K ATT AT A BLOCK.

No. 1. —Draining Swamp Lands for Small Farms.

No. 2. —Showing Types of Small Farms Cottages.

6—C. 1.

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BROADLANDS BLOCK.

No. 1. —Cutting Scrub.

No. 2.—Same Area One Year later, in Good Grass.

(•:- I.

TARAWERA BLOCK.

No. 1—From Scrub and Fern (right) to Grasses and Clover (left) in Two Years.

No. 2.—Black Cattle in Two-year Pasture of Grasses and White Clover.

Partly-developed Swamp. Harrowing Permanent Pastures. 1 New Grass.

PURURU BLOCK: COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF DEVELOPED AREA.

Parson's. 1 Camp. Pittam's Section.

PURURU BLOCK: WESTERN BOUNDARY OF PRESENT DEVELOPMENT.

Q H Ph %. EH U1 & Q W P3 W J O O % H w

p p Eh Q <! £ W ÊH W Ph EH tZ2 0 £ K PQ

w p J H PH Q W P3 d k M o

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N GAT AMAHINE BLOCK: COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF DEVELOPED AREA.

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OHAKUNE BLOCK.

No. 1.—Original State.

No. 2.—After stumping, logging, and burning.

No. 3.—After ploughing and sowing in Swedes; Sheep on Swedes.

<\ I.

PAKIHI DEVELOPMENT.

Profile of Pakihi Soil on Gorge Road, just past McKays. (Note. —Grey peaty topsoil, white leached layer below, pan formation at the bottom, resting on gravels.)

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PAKIHI DEVELOPMENT.

No. 2.—Showing Country after Development.

Original Plot of Grass and Clover, illustrating Success of Surface-sowing Method of Pasture Establishment. (Treatment: Slaked lime and basic slag.)

WHARERE BLOCK.

No. 1.—Natural Growth, before Development.