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1949 NEW ZEALAND
DEPARTMENT OF MAORI AFFAIRS ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MAORI AFFAIRS AND OF THE UNDERSECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF MAORI AFFAIRS, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949
Presented to Both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave CONTENTS PAGE Foreword by Minister of Maori Affairs .. .. . ■ • • . . I Land Development .. .. • • • • • • • • .. 4 Housing .. . • • • • • - • • • - • .. 6 Training of Maori Youths . . .. .. • • • - .. 9 Maori Welfare .. .. • ■ • • • • - • 10 Maori Trustee .. .. • • - • • • ■ • .. 15 Maori Land Boards .. .. . . .. - • • • .. 16 Rehabilitation of Maori Ex-servicemen .. .. .. . . .. 17 East Coast Trust .. .. . • • • • ■ - • . . 17 Financial .. .. .. ■ • ■ • - • • - ..18 Legislation .. .. .. • • • • • • • • .. 19 Lake Taupo Waters Compensation .. .. .. - • 19 Staff 19 Maori Interpreters' Board of Examiners .. .. . . .. 20 Unemployment, Employment Promotion, and Development Subsidies, Period Ist April, 1933, to 31st March, 1949 .. .. .. .. .. 21 Tables .. .. • • • • • • • • • • 23
FOREWORD BY MINISTER OF MAORI AFFAIRS It gives me much pleasure to present the report of the Board of Maori Affairs and of the Under-Secretary, Department of Maori Affairs, for the year ended 31st March, 1949. The successful establishment on the land and the provision of adequate housing for the Maori people are matters of great importance not only to the Maori people themselves, but also to the economy of the country. The aim is to establish them on their own lands and in their own homes and to make available to them advantages similar to those available to Europeans in these intensely individual, yet broadly national, aspects of life. Through the operations of the Board of Maori Affairs the assistance required for these purposes is made available to the Maori people, and the Board, through its authorized agents, ensures that the greatest possible good will accrue as the result of the expenditure of time and money.
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It is not necessary to emphasize the fact that the time has come when the Maori has realized the benefits to be gained from taking his place in the life of the community as a whole, and, as a result, the desire to be self-supporting and responsible members of the nation is evidenced by the movement on every hand to play a full part in all sections of national life. An independent, self-reliant, and satisfied Maori race working side by side with the pakeha and with equal incentives, advantages, and rewards for effort in all walks of life is the goal of the Government, and the realization of such a goal will be of inestimable advantage both to the community at large and also to the economy of the country in the field of production and in the general development of the country. The Maori birth-rate has shown a steady increase year by year, and in view of the large number of Maori youths entering the employment field annually a scheme for the training of Maori youths, mainly in the building trade in order that opportunities may be found for them in industry, is being instituted. The training scheme will be worked in conjunction with the Department's building operations, and the youths, when trained, will increase the building force of the country. The question of the living standards of the Maori people is one of great moment. Bearing in mind that the home is the place where character is moulded and lasting impressions made, it will be realized just how important it is to see that adequate housing is provided—housing which will enable the setting-up of the most important and farreaching influence for good or ill in national life, the home. The results of a survey of housing conditions conducted in conjunction with the 1936 census indicated just how much Maori housing conditions fell short of requirements, and since that time the matter has constantly exercised the minds of all who have been in any way interested in the welfare of the Maori people. It has been the aim of the _ Administration during the past year to continue a vigorous housing policy, and the acquisition of homes for the Maori people, whether by erection or purchase, including renovations and repairs, has been an important part of its activities. One of the most pleasing and interesting features of Maori housing activity is the fact that there are upwards of 300 Maori men and youths engaged in building homes for their own people, and some of these men are the supervisors and overseers of the works. A large number of Maori houses have to be erected in remote areas, and the labour problem is especially acute'in these distant places. Nevertheless, all available labour has been used to provide suitable housing for the Maori people. Much remains to be done, however, and an increasing population means an increasing demand for houses, and there can therefore be no let up in this work. Land development and land settlement have again been furthered in every way possible as' it is realized that the full utilization of all available Maori land is of national importance as well as of individual advantage. Clearing, stumping, fencing, draining, roading, and grassing have been" carried out in most districts, and in due course Maori farmers have been settled on the areas. In this way the Maori people have been able to make an increasing and effective contribution to the national wealth and to the volume of primary production—production that is of vital importance not only in this country, but also in the campaign for food for Britain. The manner in which many of the Maori farmers are proving their ability in seeking ways of improving their holdings and their stock is a cause for satisfaction. The wool and butterfat produced, plus the returns from the sale of live-stock and horticultural products, are a tangible and worths while contribution towards the primary production of this country and represent an excellent record of the efforts of the Maori people both in their endeavours to prove themselves a self-supporting and self-reliant people and in their willingness to shoulder. the responsibilities of citizenship as workers together with the Europeans in the economy of the nation. Production returns at 31st March, 1949, again show an appreciable increase in butterfat and wool produced.
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Public moneys expended on all agricultural and pastoral schemes controlled by the Department amounted to £1,075,156, compared with £842,250 for the previous year. The Loan Account Assignment of the receipts, from farming operations amounted to £1,066,848, as compared with £890,192 last year. As interest charges, £149,656 was paid to. the Consolidated Fund. Cash collections continue to show an increase, and the year's figures again reflect the advanced prices being paid for primary products. The following increases are noted : butterfat, £7,408 ; wool, £88,609 ; live-stock, £134,465. The finances of the seven Maori Land Boards and the Maori Trustee indicate a sound position. The investments of these bodies now total £1,621,696, made up of mortgages, £483,356 ; Government securities, £975,967 ; and advances to farming and primary production undertakings carried on by those bodies, £162,373. The total funds now held for beneficiaries amount to £1,069,727. Horticulture. —The Maori people continue to display an ever-widening interest in this branch of farming, and on this account the departmental Horticultural Officers have been very busy in advising, assisting, and encouraging those whose interests lie in this direction. The services of the departmental Produce Marketing Officer are available at all times to assist in the marketing of produce to the best possible advantage. The response by the Maori people generally to the efforts and suggestions of the Department's experts has been very encouraging, and it is apparent that there is a desire among them to profit by the advice given. In a large number of cases vegetablegrowing in the home garden has been taken up with enthusiasm. Small holdings in areas suitable to the cultivation of crops and small fruits are an avenue that offers attractive prospects for the settlement of the Maori people who are interested in undertaking this class of work. Ahuwhenua Trophy. —This handsome cup was very generously donated by the Right Hon. Viscount Bledisloe during his term as Governor-General of this Dominion, and its presentation indicated the donor's faith in the Maori people to answer the challenge to excel. Its purpose was to foster amongst the Maori farmers a keenness to be outstanding in this sphere, and in the years that have intervened there have come to the front as trophy winners a number of Maori farmers whose winning entries have shown not only a natural pride of accomplishment, but have reflected a steady endeavour over a period of years of changing, in many cases, scrub- or bush-covered land into fertile and productive areas which are a great advantage to the country and to the production which is the life-blood of the Dominion. This year's winner of the trophy was Mr. Eruera Hoera, of Takahue, Northland, second place being filled by Mrs. Waerata Harris, of Tarata, Taranaki. The Board, 'of which I am Chairman, offers its congratulations to these two successful Maori farmers and expresses the hope that those not successful this year will continue the good work and endeavour to secure the prize on the next occasion. Hitherto the annual reports of the Board of Maori Affairs and of the Department of Maori Affairs have appeared as two separate publications. These reports have been amalgamated and are now presented in one volume.' The Board desires once again to express appreciation of the whole-hearted cooperation and enthusiasm of the Under-Secretary, Mr. Ropiha, and the officers of the Department of Maori Affairs in carrying out the policy of the Board and thereby advancing the interests of the Maori people. Minister of Maori Affairs, Chairman of the Board of Maori Affairs.
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The Under-Secretary, Department of Maori Affairs, to the Right Hon. the Minister of Maori Affairs, Wellington. Department of Maori Affairs, Wellington, Bth September, 1949. Sir, — I have the honour to present the annual report covering the work of the Board of Maori Affairs and the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1949. There is embodied a report from the Controller, Maori Social and Economic Advancement, dealing with the work of the Maori Welfare Organization. I have, &c., T. T. Ropiha, Under-Secretary and Maori Trustee. The Right Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Maori Affairs. LAND DEVELOPMENT There are now 108 Maori land development schemes, comprising an area of 660,295 acres, of which there are approximately 140,000 acres considered to be unsuitable for the purpose of farming. The area cleared and sown in permanent pasture is 280,000 acres, with another 9,000 acres in commercial crops, leaving approximately 225,000 acres still to be developed. The number of individual farmers as at 31st March, 1949, who have been assisted by the Board of Maori Affairs was 1,791. Although further men were settled during the year, there is a slight reduction on last year's figures due to the amalgamation of uneconomic holdings and to the fact that a number of settlers, having discharged their obligations to the Department, were released from the development schemes. For the purpose of keeping up with modern and progressive farming practice it has become necessary to stress the importance of, and the necessity for, good practical farm training for those Maori youths who may be chosen by their people to become future occupiers of the land after it has been developed and is ready for separate occupation. It is also necessary in order to secure the fullest benefit from the lands when settled, to implant a sense of security in the minds of the occupiers of the land. Therefore the owners, in their own interests, must be prepared to grant the nominated occupiers tenures sufficiently attractive to ensure good occupation. Some progress in this direction has been made by granting leases, giving the lessee up to 50 per cent, of the value of the improvements as at the end of the term of the lease, and in certain cases by purchase of small interests from the other owners of the holding. Due to the effects of fertilizer-rationing, the building-up of the soil fertility has been retarded, it being most evident on those lands which were in the process of development just prior to the introduction of fertilizer-control. The poor quality, or marginal lands, in the various districts suffered the greatest. With heavier applications of lime and manure an over-all increase in the dairy-cow average production can be expected. Butterfat The total production by the Maori dairy-farmers under the Maori land development schemes for the year ending 31st March, 1949, was 6,114,209 lb., equivalent to 3,275 tons of butter. This represents an increase over last year's production of 236,727 lb., or 126 tons of butter. The average butterfat-production per cow, 160 lb., as against 147 lb. last year, may seem a somewhat low return, but it is the result of farming over all parts of the North Island on many different classes of country, much of which can be termed
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" marginal." Whilst there are numbers of efficient Maori dairy-farmers and an upward trend in production is recorded, instruction in better farming practice must be adopted to bring about a general over-all improvement. The efforts of the Field Supervision staff are being directed continuously to improving the pastures on Maori dairy-farms, the quality of the stock, and the handling of the herds. It is considered that with improved farms and farming methods the average production will tend to rise, and in time the gap between the average over-all production per cow will be closed. The Herd Improvement Association delivered a series of lectures, illustrated by special dairy films dealing with the proper care and treatment of the dairy cow. The greatest interest was shown in these lectures by the Maori dairy-farmers, and it is hoped that further instructional matter of this nature can be arranged. The Department of Maori Affairs is very appreciative of the assistance rendered by the officers of the Herd Improvement Association. Live-stock It is the policy of the Department in connection with its land development schemes to breed its own stock requirements wherever the conditions are suitable. The total live-stock figures on all properties, including those under East Coast Commissioner control, were 519,581 sheep and 118,881 run cattle as at 31st March, 1949. Wherever possible all surplus stock bred on the schemes and stations are sold as " fats," but in cases where it is necessary to dispose of stock in store condition it is usual to arrange transfers at market rates to schemes where fattening can be carried out. Wool The development schemes produced 7,104 bales of wool, compared with 6,512 last year. The stations administered by the Maori Trustee produced 1,735 bales, and the properties managed by the Maori Land Boards, 1,014 bales. The clip returned on the stations under the control of the East Coast Commissioner was 2,966 bales. The total number of bales for the year ending 31st March, 1949, on these stations, schemes, and farms was therefore 12,819 bales. Special attention is paid to the preparation of the wool clip, and the Department has a Wool Inspector whose duties are to see that the " get up "of all wool marketed meets with the requirements of the trade. It is gratifying to learn that, due to instructions given in the shearing-sheds by the Inspector, a distinct improvement has been shown over the last two seasons in the classing and methods of preparing the wool for sale. Horticulture Four Horticultural Supervisors have been appointed to advise Maoris in the better utilization of the numerous small areas scattered throughout the country. The land is usually sufficiently fertile to encourage the growing of commercial crops with some degree of confidence. Kumara-production provides one of the major activities in this direction, and it is estimated that the annual value is in the vicinity of £40,000. The growing of water-melons, potatoes, maize, tree tomatoes, raspberries, asparagus, and tomatoes, besides other lines of vegetables and flowers, provides useful and remunerative employment for a large number of Maori men and women. The extent of Maori cropping activities is not generally appreciated, but the increased production consequent upon war requirement demand is being maintained and even increased. Assistance in the marketing of crops and an improvement in the quality of the produce, in addition to better distribution, is showing beneficial results. Owing to the influence of departmental officers, particularly the Horticultural Supervisors, greater interest is being shown in production for home requirements of citrus and other fruits, besides a wider range of vegetables. It is anticipated that the greater variety of food, home grown, and the consequent higher dietetic standard, will be reflected in the
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health of the Maori people. The Department has established a small nursery at Tauranga where the propagation of citrus and other fruit trees is carried out solely for the purpose of sale to the Maori people desirous of establishing small orchards for their own needs. In the Department's nursery at Rotorua over a million trees from the seedling stage to the planting-out stage are growing. These trees are distributed throughout the North Island for shelter and other purposes on Maori lands. New Development The largest area undertaken during the past year was the clearing, cultivation, and grassing of 2,300 acres of virgin land on the Pouakani Block, near Maraetai Hydro Works. In other districts slightly more than 3,000 acres were cleared and a total of 3,100 acres were grassed. Wire-supplies are now available, but the shortage of suitable fencingtimber is causing inconvenience in some districts, and it is now necessary to explore new fields for future supplies. No difficulty is expected in obtaining contractors equipped with suitable power machines and implements to carry out the clearing and cultivation of the open fern and scrub country which is as yet undeveloped. Adequate supplies of fertilizer sufficient to provide at least 3 cwt. per acre with.the initial sowing of the grass and sufficient to build up quick fertility of the soil during the early stages of development must be assured before undertaking the breaking in of new areas. In development it is necessary to work in close co-ordination with the Department of Lands and Survey so that its efforts in bringing in new areas for the settlement of ex-servieemen are not adversely affected through competition for the supplies of fertilizer and other materials in short supply. HOUSING AND BUILDING Housing and general construction activities of the Department over the past year have shown a marked increase on those of the previous twelve months. Works completed during the year and those in progress at the 31st March, 1949, while shown in more detail in the accompanying statistical tables, may be summarized as follows (the figures in parentheses indicating the relative returns for the corresponding classes in the previous year) : (a) Housing completed during the year under the Maori Housing Act, land development, and rehabilitation : New dwellings, 310 (196); additions, alterations, and improvements, 147 (159); purchases, 66 (33). In addition, houses not fully completed but already occupied numbered 22. (b) Housing works in progress (under same headings as above) as at 31st March, 1949 : New dwellings, 187 (194); additions and other improvements, 50 (65). (c) On behalf of the Maori Trustee — (1) Completed : 2 houses ; 5 repairs and alterations to houses. (2) In progress: 1 house. (d) On behalf of the District Maori Land Boards—(1) Completed : 3 houses ; 8 additions or repairs and alterations to houses. (2) In progress : 1 house ; 1 repairs to house. (e) On behalf of the Education Department—(l) Completed — TokOmaru Bay Maori School: Erection of additional classroom; additions to teacher's cottage. Tikitiki Maori School: Alteration teacher's residence ; erection of dental clinic. Potaka Maori School: Erection prefabricated class-room. Te Araroa Maori School: Erection prefabricated class-room. (2) In progress : Hiruharama Maori School: Erection Headmaster's residence. Waiorongomai Maori School: Erection additional class-room.
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(/) Land Development.—Miscellaneous farm buildings and services : completed 93 (39); in progress, 47 (13). Summarized, the over-all building activities for the year are— Completed Works— New dwellings .. '.. .. .. .. 315 Housing improvements .. .. .. .. 160 Dwellings purchased .. .. .. .. .. 66 Maori schools, miscellaneous works on .. .. .. 6 Miscellaneous farm buildings and services .. .. 93 Works in progress— New dwellings .. .. .. .. .. 189 Housing improvement .. .. . . .. 56 Maori schools, miscellaneous works on .. .. .. 2 Miscellaneous farm buildings and services .. .. .. 47 DepartmentalCompleted: Joinery-factory and extension to bulk stores and timber bays, Rotorua Works Centre ; timber-yard, Wairoa. In progress : Office, bulk store, and workers' accommodation, Wairoa ; timber-yard improvements, Gisborne. Building activities as shown above cover a wide range of construction works the nature of which has had the effect of attracting more qualified tradesmen to the building organization in districts where the wider scope of work is offered. This has been particularly noticeable on the East Coast, where normal building activities have, been expanded to cover the erection and improvement of Maori schools. However, the Department's activities, spread widely as they are over rural areas, are still handicapped by the limited numbers of tradesmen and contractors available to undertake country work. This is one of the greatest factors militating against success in overcoming the Maori housing problem, which is mainly concentrated in rural areas and townships. The shortage of experienced and qualified tradesmen of foreman status makes it difficult to take full advantage of the lesser-skilled labour forces which are available and also makes it difficult to apply field-training methods in the various building trades. To a degree, therefore, workmanship has suffered, but in the main the standard of workmanship has shown much improvement, and the efforts of the majority of the workmen are commendable. The policy of the departmental building organization is also to offer and develop trade employment and training opportunities for Maori Youth, and it is felt that the whole-hearted support of the Maori people themselves, particularly those qualified in the building trades, can greatly help to accelerate Maori housing. The departmental works centres at Rotorua and Gisborne commenced production activities during the year, the Rotorua depot being engaged in the manufacture of concrete roofing-tiles, concrete blocks, fibrous-plaster sheet, and joinery to a value of £4,386. The figures for the year represent the commencing stages of production of the various materials as installations have been. completed. The ultimate production potential of the works centre when completely established and in full operation is expected to be some six times or more the present output value, thus making the building organization of the district a self-contained unit so far as the supply of these particular materials is concerned. Workmen employed at the works centre, Rotorua, including timber-yard and store hands, as at 31st March, 1949, numbered 34. At Gisborne, joinery production was commenced during the year, while the wellequipped plumbing workshop has facilitated the work in this field of operations.
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These works centres have not only proved beneficial to the field organization in providing an efficient co-ordination of supplies to building operations, but have also opened up worth-while trade employment avenues and training opportunities for Maori youths. In addition to the existing works and stores depots, a departmental bulk store and timber-yard is being developed at Wairoa in conjunction with the new sub-office establishment. Employment and Field Personnel The present departmental building supervisory staff comprises 1 District Building Supervisor, 10 Building Supervisors, and 15 Overseers. Reorganization proposals for the expansion of the building division have been completed and a number of immediate appointments recommended not only to relieve present field staff of the pressure of expanding works operations, but also to permit more drive being given to overcoming the Maori housing problem. These proposals make provision for District Supervisors to give more tune to adequate field control and organization of works activities in each district, for zonal Supervisors for more adequate control and supervision of works throughout sub-districts, for Maintenance Inspectors to give more concentrated attention to the important aspect of security maintenance, and for technical assistants to give general assistance to supervisors in preparation of works and routine technical duties connected with building operations. , The number of departmental workmen, other than classified permanent ana temporary employees, engaged with the building organization as at 31st March, 1949, was 413, and in addition there were 113 contractors and sub-contractors. These figures include 62 Maori building units and 10 Maori contractors and sub-contractors. Plan Service The " standard " plan service has been constantly under revision for the purpose of improving the design and appointment of houses to meet varying personal requirements and circumstances of applicants, ranging from pensioners' cottages to large family homes in both town and rural areas. Indicative of the increasing home-consciousness of the Maori people, it has been noticed that many applicants are submitting their own plans for approval, a matter which is worthy of encouragement: It is evident, however, that ' a wider range of plans is necessary to meet the varying requirements mentioned above, and to this end steps are being taken to overhaul the present available plans and to provide alternative designs for each plan. The provisions enabling the extension of mortgage terms to thirty years, where mortgagors so desire, has had the effect of permitting many more Maori applicants to undertake loan commitments, whilst the Special Housing Fund procedure providing for supplementary interest-free loans has enabled the Department to assist many families who are in dire need to obtain homes where previously no opportunity existed. Rental Housing Negotiations with the State Advances Corporation and the Housing Construction Department have resulted in the adoption of a definite plan for the provision of rental -housing for the Maori people.. The movement of the Maori people from the country to the more closely settled industrial areas has posed a problem of some national significance. Obviously the Maori must be encouraged to earn his own living, and as the pa areas offer few opportunities they are forced to seek work in the cities and towns, where housing is a major problem. Surveys have been conducted, and it has been found that the bulk of the urban and semi-rural industrial Maori population is living in overcrowded and mainly slum conditions.
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Environment has an important influence on conduct, and it is felt that any deterioration in standards which may be apparent, together with any undue incidence of delinquency, <;an be attributed directly to the fact that few city Maoris can enjoy the comforts of home life. Many of the Maori people who are living in small, squalid rooms, often in unsavoury localities, are compelled through their enforced environment to seek amusement in degrading quarters, where they are easily persuaded into trouble. The aim is to provide Maori families with homes which will lay a foundation for improved health and a greater sense of public responsibility. The procedure adopted provides for the Department of Maori Affairs, assisted by representatives of the tribal organizations, to select tenants, whilst administration and maintenance is the responsibility of the State Advances Corporation. The houses for allocation to the Maori people are to be interspersed in single units throughout normal State settlements. This arrangement is an extension of that made last year in respect of the houses supplied at Tamaki and Onehunga, Auckland. Of the 90 houses to be made available for the Maori people in those settlements, 22 have already been allocated to tenants, and it is hoped that the balance will be occupied during the coming year. Nine houses have been set aside at Whangarei for Maori mine-workers in the Kamo coal-mines. , Twenty-four houses have been occupied at Waiwhetu following the assurance given to the owners by the Government that those resident at the time of'the sale of the land would be rehoused. TRAINING OF MAORI YOUTHS Along with the Department's house-building operations, and as a part of those operations, a scheme for training Maori youths in the building trade is being established. This will follow broadly the lines of the Rehabilitation Trade Training Scheme in the building trade, which has been so successful. There will be modifications in the rates of pay, and there will be provisions for modified apprenticeship as the scheme is for youths, whereas the rehabilitation training is for adult ex-servicemen, with a few exceptions for men who were under twenty-one years of age on leaving the services. Maori youths interested in other than building trades will be placed on apprenticeship in other fields with Government Departments who have training schemes for young men, notably Works Department, Post and Telegraph Department, and Railways Department. The following table shows the approximate number of Maori sixteen-year-olds in the years indicated, and approximately half of these will be males. It is with the intention of assisting these young people in the choice of and training in a career that the scheme has been formulated: — 1949 .. .. 2,575 1955 .. .. 3,600 1950 .. •• 2,600 1956 .. .. 3,725 1951 .. .. 2,850 1957 .. ..3,600 1952 .. .. 3,175 1958 .. .. 3,775 1953 .. .. 3,450 1959 .. .. 3,875 1954 .. .. 3,225 1960 .. .. 3,950 The aims of the scheme are threefold, viz. : (a) Teaching the youths a worthwhile trade, (b) Erection of a greater number of Maori houses with the extra skilled labour thus released, and (c) The employment of the youths generally. In this way Maori boys will be employed in building homes for their own people, and while so engaged they will receive training in a trade which will be full enough to enable the development of a feeling of confidence in their own ability and which will enable them to hold their own in the labour market.
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MAORI WELFARE Organization and Staffing The Maori welfare organization continues to play an effective and important part in its own special sphere of departmental activity, linking up effectively and harmoniously with all other branches of the Department. The circle of its operations tends to widen year by year, and as a result of the efforts of the Welfare Officers, Tribal Executives, and Tribal Committees widespread interest is now being taken in the Welfare Division, and the Maori population itself has come to regard its activities as being directed towards their own social and economic advancement. This interpretation of the spirit of the Act by the efforts of the Department's officers has only been made possible by the willing co-operation of the majority of the Maori people. It is gratifying indeed to report that during the year the Ngati-porou tribe and its associate tribe, the Whanau-Apanui tribe, elected to come under the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act, and as a result a marked interest in the welfare of their own people has already been manifested. With the exception of the Waikato tribes, both the North and the South Islands are now organized under the Act. At a recent meeting at Tuakau, however, Princess Te Puea agreed to the formation of Tribal Committees in the Waikato area, and the Controller of Maori Social and Economic Advancement recently visited the southern Waikato in connection with the organization under the Act. At the 31st March last there were 63 Tribal Executives and 381 Tribal Committees formed, approved, and operating. These Committees are now settling down to a better appreciation of their functions, and a general forward move is anticipated next vear in the well-being of the Maori people. Subsidies To encourage the Maori people to marshal and utilize their financial resources for own advantage certain subsidies are payable under the Act, a sum of money being appropriated yearly for this purpose by Parliament. For the year under review, £lO,OOO was provided, and the total claims for subsidy amounted to £16,402. This means that a total of £32,804 is being applied for the physical, economic, social, educational, and moral benefit and advancement of the Maori people. Budgets submitted by the Tribal Executives and Committees for the next year already exceed £20,000, and this would indicate that the Maori people are appreciating the advantages available under tlje Act. It is obvious, too, that these people realize that any investment they may make in their own welfare will be responded to by the Government. Women's Health Leagues There are now 108 leagues in existence, 85 having been formed through the efforts of the Maori Welfare Officers, the other 23 having been formed prior to the passing of the Act. The objects of the Women's Health Leagues—mothercraft and housecraftare most worthy ones, and there is no doubt that, if wisely developed, the League is destined to play a vital part in the lives of the Maori women and their families. Realizing the importance of these objects, the Welfare Division has applied itself to the formation of leagues throughout the districts under its control. Over the last twelve months leagues have been formed in Northland, Auckland City, East Coast, Gisborne, Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, and Wanganui districts. The movement has expanded to' such an extent that it has been found necessary to create a national bo.dy to co-ordinate and govern the activities. The constitution of this national body will be finalized at a general conference of Health Leagues to be held in Rotorua in September next.
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Women's Health Leagues are really the counterpart of Tribal Committees, and with the two bodies working in close co-operation much lasting good will result. The Janet Fraser Memorial Guest House was completed during the year and officially opened last August. The guest house is doing excellent work in accommodating relatives of Maori patients who are in hospital, as well as catering for the travelling public, both Maori and pakeha. From August until 31st March, 1949, over eight hundred persons were accommodated. It is pleasing to note that the guest house is self-supporting. General During the year ended 31st March, 1949, Welfare Officers moving in and out amongst the Maori people handled 70,194 (38,690) cases, which were almost as varied as they are extensive. The organization itself seeks to interpret the provisions of the Act in a practical way, and the following record of twelve months' working indicates how this is. being done. Last year's figures are shown in parentheses : Accommodation, 849 cases (570). The needs of the travelling Maori public are catered for, but the main objective is the provision of good permanent accommodation for Maori youths who are drawn to the main centres of population and industry from outside districts. A good house and home life tend to lessen the need for these young people to turn elsewhere for amusement and reduces the tendency to mix in undesirable associations. The problem of accommodation is regarded as an urgent one. " Pendennis " Maori Girls' Residential Club in Wellington has been designed as a " home away from home " and is doing good work in providing suitable accommodation for forty young Maori women resident in the city. Child Welfare, 1,610 cases (1,138). Maori Welfare Officers, especially the lady officers, work in very close co-operation with the Child Welfare Officers and jointly handle cases that come before the Children's Courts. Maori Welfare Officers also arrange foster-parents for Maori children and arrange to see that children are properly cared for. The Women's Health Leagues are also interested in this aspect of child-welfare. Education, 1,519 cases (1,291). The Maori people, are daily becoming more appreciative of the benefits resulting from a good education. Children are now able to remain at school much longer than previously, and this has meant that they are now to be seen in the better. classes of occupation or continuing their education at University. Welfare Officers and Tribal Committees, aware of the advantages of a good education, try to encourage parents to allow their children to remain at school as long as possible. Truancy is also, checked. The first Maori kindergarten in New Zealand was recently established at Hastings through the efforts of the local Welfare Officers. Special adult education for Maoris has been commenced in Wellington with the assistance of Tribal Committees and Welfare Officers. Maoris enrolled for classes as hereunder : English ... .. .. .. .. .. 6 Dressmaking .. .. ... .. 24 Physical Training .. .. .. .. 25 Orchestral .. .. .. .. 9 Choral .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 Maori Carving .. .. .. .. .. 18 Maori Culture .. .. {27 ohildreu.
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It is hoped to extend this adult education idea to otlier centres of Maori population. Vocational guidance is also undertaken, some Tribal Committees acting as Vocational Guidance Committees. The figures for vocational guidance, included in the above total,, are 292 cases. Employment, 3,079 cases (1,991). Very close liaison is maintained with the Department of Labour and Employment in this respect, especially in transferring labour from isolated localities to areas where full employment is assured. A special committee, the Maori Education and Employment Committee, is considering long-range plans as to the manner in which Maori labour can best be utilized. Many Maori workers are placed in employment by the Maori Welfare Officers, special notice being taken of the needs of hospitals. Maori youths are encouraged to learn skilled trades or accept good employment rather than take temporary " dead end " jobs. Maori Welfare Officers visit factories and other establishments which employ Maori labour and discuss with employees and the management any problems which may exist. Health, 1,855 cases (1,592). This aspect of the work of the Welfare Division is very important. Various Tribal Executives belong to the Tb. Association and strive to lessen the incidence of this disease among the Maori people. Films have been shown at executive meetings and to Maori people in their meeting-houses on such subjects as tuberculosis, diet, teeth, sanitation, and the like. Lectures on the spread of disease by flies and the best methods of controlling these pests have also been given. At present the dissemination of appropriate literature in the Maori language relating to tuberculosis to all Tribal Executives and Committees is being undertaken. In many instances the Tribal Executives and Committees are applying subsidies, granted under section 23 of the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act, 1945, to marae improvements, hygiene, and sanitation. This will have a curbing influence on diseases such as typhoid. It is quite usual for Maori Welfare Officers to accompany District Nurses on their rounds. The presence of the Welfare Officer does much to allay any fear or suspicion that may exist, and in one instance the inoculation of Maori children was completed without objection or question. Medical and hospital appointments for Maori individuals are also arranged, and the welfare of crippled children is supervised. Arrangements are made for the hospitalization of maternity cases, and in one instance a Maori Welfare Officer, who is a trained Nursing Sister, was called out at 2 a.m. to render assistance in a case of the birth of twins, the doctor and district nurse not being available at the time. Hospital visits are made and needs of Maori patients are attended to. These visits* numbered 567 (431). Housing, 5,828 cases (2,922) Weifare Officers give all assistance possible to the Housing Section of the Department,, making reports on housing conditions and assisting in the preliminary work before an application for a housing loan under the Maori Housing Act, 1935, is submitted for approval. Housing surveys of Maori communities are also made. One such survey covered the majority of the known Maori inhabitants of Wellington. Interviews and Advice, 28,053 cases (15,130) The Maori people are availing themselves of the services offered by Welfare Officers.. They realize that these officers were appointed to assist them and discuss their problems-
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The advice given by the Welfare Officers is intended to help the Maori people to realize and face tip to their obligations and responsibilities as citizens. It is the intention of the Act to make the Maori self-reliant rather than dependent upon others for assistance. Meetings, 3,002 cases (1,774) Meetings fall under two headings—Executive and Committee, and others. At the Executive and Committee meetings problems which exist are discussed, and means of overcoming them are sought. Under the other headings in this part of the report frequent reference to Tribal Executives and Committees is made ; this indicates the scope of their work and the purpose of the meetings. Tribal Committee meetings are a meeting of the people in the locality, and anybody may speak 011 a motion or voice -an opinion, but only the Committee members are entitled to a vote. Maori Welfare Officers are encouraged to attend all these meetings as here they make many contacts. Meetings of the Red Cross, Women's Institute, Borstal Association, Crippled Children's Society, County Rates Committee, and other bodies are also attended. Moral Welfare, 760 cases (329) Supervision of moral welfare is necessary mainly in the cities and sea ports, where more opportunities for delinquency exist, and Welfare Officers are tactful in their approach to this problem, which causes them much concern. Miscellaneous, 18,905 cases (7,813) This group covers all cases not specified under definite headings, and they are as complicated as they are varied. Cases of sickness, absenteeism from work, deaths and burials, affiliation, crippled children, and missing persons are brought to the notice of and inquired into by Welfare Officers. Rail, motor, and steamer bookings are frequently arranged for the travelling Maori public. Police and Court Proceedings, 766 cases (648) Not all the cases under this heading are Court prosecutions, as very close liaison is maintained with the Police Department, and Welfare Officers are often asked to trace members of the Maori race who are wanted for health, maintenance, and other reasons. -Considerable publicity has been given to the incidence of crime among the Maori race, the " drift" to the cities being blamed. However, the experience in Wellington is a decrease in the number of Maori people appearing before Court. This has been commented upon by the Probation Officers as well as the Maori Welfare Officers. The number of distinct Maori prisoners received under sentence during the years 1939-1948 was as follows : —■ 1939 .. .. 310 1944 .. .. 553 1940 .. .. 330 1945 ~ .. 430 1941 .. .. 346 1946 .. .. 422 1942 .. .. 450 1947 .. .. 446 . 1943 .. .. 523 1948 .. .. 347 An observation by one Probation Officer was that most of the Maori people appearing before Court were charged with offences caused through the effects of liquor, but since the Licensing Amendment Act, 1948, these offences had dropped considerably. He added that the position, as he saw it, was general throughout New Zealand. In Houhora, North Auckland, the periodic sitting of the Magistrate's Court has been cancelled due to lack of offenders. The Magistrate commented that the Tribal Committees are quite capable of dealing with any offences that may occur. Tribal
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Executives and Committees have requested that their powers be increased to enable them to deal more effectively with delinquency. Several Borstal Associations, in their annual reports, have paid. tribute to the Maori Welfare Officers' work in regard to Borstal parolees. Rehabilitation, 1,040 cases (1,152) This work is undertaken mostly in the country districts where the Maori Welfare Officer is the general adviser on all matters. Investigations are made and every assistance is afforded rehabilitation officers. Tribal Executives' and Committees also interest themselves in the rehabilitation of Maori ex-servicemen. Social and Recreation, 853 cases (429) The wisdom of Tribal Committees providing recreational facilities for the Maori population in the cities is becoming more apparent every day. The Maori people in the cities now have some means of occupying their leisure-hours, and by attending the social functions are not left to their own devices. Successful functions are held at NgatiPoneke Hall, Wellington, and the Maori Community Centre, Auckland, every week-end, when, among other things, educational and health films are shown. Other centres, such as Kaikohe, are commencing similar activities. Numerous Maori clubs are in existence throughout New Zealand, and these, too, are doing good work in catering for the leisurehours of their people, as well as teaching and reviving Maori arts and culture. Maori Welfare Officers co-operate with Tribal Committees in arranging and conducting these functions. 'Social Security, 2,075 cases (1,911) Assistance is given.to the Maori public in social security matters, but at the same time a careful watch is kept to see that the social security benefits are not abused. At present a survey as to the manner in which the Maori beneficiaries are applying the family allowance is being made. From reports to hand the following points are clear : (1) The many allegations that Maori beneficiaries abuse social security benefits are, in most instances, unfounded. (2) Maori school-children are better clothed than ever before —schoolmasters' observations also confirm this. (3) Cases of malnutrition among Maori children are due to faulty diet rather than lack of food. Where malnutrition is found, the mothers are instructed as to* correct feeding methods. (4) If it were not for the family allowance a great number of Maori children would not be able to continue their secondary education. (5) Family allowances are used as a means of bettering living-conditions. (6) As in every such scheme, a small number of cases of abuse have come to light, and this position applies equally to other sections of the community. But in the case of Maori beneficiaries Tribal Committees and Welfare Officers intervene, and, when all persuasive means have failed, arrange for agents to administer the benefits. (7) The abuse of social security benefits has declined since Tribal Committees commenced operating. Maori Electoral Roll The Chief Electoral Officer requested the assistance of Maori Welfare Officers and Tribal Committees in registering Maori electors and compiling the Maori Electoral Roll. Tribal Committees especially have been of great assistance in this work, and at 31st March, 1949, 26,000 registrations had been effected. This work is continuing, and a complete coverage is aimed at.
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Welfare Staff The welfare staff comprises the Controller and thirty-four male or female welfare officers. MAORI TRUSTEE The powers and duties of the Maori Trustee are similar to those of the Public Trustee except that they affect the Maori people and Maori land. The Maori Trustee is frequently appointed executor and administrator of the estates of deceased members of the Maori race, is the trustee of minors and others under disability, is often appointed by the Maori Land Court to enter into dealings in respect of Maori lands the owners of which cannot be traced, and is trustee of the North Island Tenths Benefit Fund and the South Island Tenths Benefit Fund. Large areas of both urban and rural Maori lands are also vested in the Maori Trustee for administration on behalf of the beneficial owners. The number of private Maori estates under administration by the Maori Trustee increased to 2,068 as at 31st March. The present policy of decentralized administration is working well as it permits closer supervision of estates, personal contact between the administration and the beneficiaries, and results in expeditious handling in connection with estate matters. Thus a feeling of greater confidence is engendered in the minds of the Maori beneficiaries regarding their trust affairs. The following table sets out the position of the estates at present being administered:—
Mortgage Investments A total of £296,920 from the Maori Trustee's Common Fund is invested in mortgage securities. There were 294 mortgages as at 31st March, 1949, and the area of land in these transactions amounted to 92,074 acres. Maori Reserves Lands vested in the Maori Trustee under the Maori Reserves Act and under the West Coast Settlement Reserve Act comprised : . r Acres. West Coast Settlement Reserves (Taranaki) .. .. 72,000 Grey mouth (Town) .. .. .. .. .. 500 North Island Tenths (Wellington City) .. .. .. 38 Palmerston North (City) .. .. .. .. .71 South Island Tenths (Nelson City and Motueka) .. .. 4,200 Other North Island Reserves .. .. .. .. 4,000 Other South Island Reserves .. .. .. .. 13,500 94,309
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District. Minors. Deceased Persons. Convicts. Mental Patients. Miscellaneous. Totals. Tokerau and Waikato186 77 21 124 299 707 Maniapoto Waiariki 107 52 2 26 1 188 Tairawhiti 49 26 7 63 6 151 Aotea 309 49 27 10 38 433 Ikaroa and South Island 336 68 12 38 135 589 Totals 987 '272 69 261 479 2,068
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In respect of the West Coast Settlement Reserves (Taranaki) a good deal of work has devolved on the Maori Trust Office since the passing of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Act, 1948. Under this Act, something like 430 of the leases of portions of the reserves were cancelled as fom Ist January, 1948. The lessees have the right to elect to take new leases from that date at rentals based on the unimproved values of the areas as fixed by special Government valuations or at a minimum rent which is provided for in the statute. A good deal of research work was necessary for the purpose of acquiring information for the Valuation Officers. The Maori Trustee is responsible, among other things, for the administration of the Maori Trustee's Common Fund and special investments, and has power under the Maori Trustee Act, 1930, to undertake the development and farming of the lands on behalf of the Maori owners thereof. The lands in question are those vested by the Maori Land Court in the Maori Trustee, those acquired under mortgage, and those where the Maori Trustee has been appointed administrator. The Common Fund is comprised principally of moneys, such as purchasemoneys, rents from reserves and estates, compensation payments, and moneys deposited by the various Maori Land Boards. Special investments are those expressly directed to be invested otherwise than in the Common Fund. It is the responsibility of the Maori Trustee to administer these funds and to farm or develop the lands for the benefit of interested parties. At the present time there are seventeen properties which are being farmed under section 25 of the Maori Trustee Act, 1930, and of these, thirteen are administered in the Gisborne district, two in the Wanganui district, and two by Head Office. The total area of these stations is 52,301 acres, comprising very mixed country and requiring various types of farming operations. At the 31st March there were 59,502 sheep on these areas and 8,050 cattle. During the year 1,735 bales of wool were produced, and the sales of live-stock totalled £71,110. The amount of the debt on these properties has been reduced from £201,122 to £112,000, and in one case a credit balance is shown. MAORI LAND BOARDS The various activities of the Maori Land Boards may be summarized under the following headings : (а) To control and administer on behalf of Maori beneficiaries funds derived from the alienation of Maori lands. (б) To administer, until 1957, areas of Maori land vested in the Boards in trust for the beneficial owners with power to sell and lease. (c) To act as agent of the Maori owners in respect of Maori lands set apart for settlement or alienated by resolution of assembled owners. (d) To advance moneys for farming, improvements, and settlement of Maori lands or the discharge of liabilities thereon. (e) To purchase and farm lands and to acquire land in trust for the Maori people. (/) To carry on agricultural or pastoral business on Maori land with the consent of the owners. (g) To engage in or undertake industry which is deemed to be in the interests of the Maori people. (h) To make recommendations in respect of applications for Maori housing, and to act as the agent of the Board of Maori Affairs, in the collection of moneys in repayment of advances for housing purposes. (») To act as agent of the Board of Maori Affairs in granting leases on lands which are subject to provisions relating to State land-development schemes.
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In puisuance of their functions, Maori Land Boards are at present farming six large stations covering an area of 42,365 acres, the largest being a property of 13,845 acres. On these lands the Boards have carried out a programme of farming and improvements throughout the year, and, in addition to the usual farming operations, fencing, stumping •clearing, and regrassing have been completed and areas brought into a state of usefulness! On one station, Ohuia, very good progress was made during the year, and the mortgage was reduced from £19,306 to £15,540. The financial returns from the Morikau Station a 12 000-acre property under the control of the Aotea District Board, were again most satisfactory, and a substantial dividend was made available to the beneficial owners. In all, 1,014 bales of wool were produced on these stations during the vear, and the sales of live-stock returned £32,852. The number of sheep carried at 31st' March 1949 was 41,857, and cattle, 4,523. ' ' In a number of cases the Boards hold mortgages over farm properties, and a measure of control is exercised m order to protect the security and at the same time ensure that the Maori farmers are encouraged as much as possible by the helpful advice and practical S ' l . g £ ff^° nS Department's Field Supervisors. These mortgages involve an area of 82,418 acres. REHABILITATION OF MAORI EX-SERVICEMEN rehabilitation of Maori ex-servicemen into civilian life is a matter of importance, -and the Maori Rehabilitation Finance Committee continues to give sympathetic consideration to all applications for assistance received from Maori ex-servicemen. At nine during the past year the Committee approved expenditure totalling » t/jV/UU. A T T eVent im P ortance w as the settlement of six men on subdivisions of the Huramua Soldiers' Settlement Block. The first ballot held provided one sheep and five dairy farms, and the successful ballotees were all men who had previously been trained on the Huramua property itself. A further ballot will be held next year, when four more farms will be available for settlement. When fully settled it is estimated that this area will provide the following : five dairy-farms, three sheep-farms, one sheep and dairy farm, and nine dairy and small-crop or fruit farms. The number of Maori ex-servicemen occupying land under Part I of the Maori Land Amendment Act, 1936, is 92, the number placed during the vear being 26. Seventy-seven have been settled, 44 through the agency of the Maori Rehabilitation Finance Committee and 33 through the agency of the State Advances Corporation. The position is set out in detail in Table 4. EAST COAST MAORI TRUST LANDS The East Coast Maori Trust continues to function as provided under the Act and m pursuance of the authorities conferred on him by statute, the East Coast Commissioner has been responsible for administering a total area of 121,788 acres of vested lands during the past year. less th an one-third of the total area is leased, and from the remainder 2,966 bales of wool were produced during the year, which is an increase over the wool produced m the previous year. There are 6,895 beneficial owners interested in the trust lands, and it is for their benefit that the Trust functions. During the year a Consultative Committee, composed of the Chairmen of Committees of all the blocks embraced by the Trust, was formed. This Committee has met the Commissioner, and, judgmg by the results of the conversations, it is evident that a very
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vital step has been taken in the history of the Trust. Many matters affecting the welfare of the Trust lands as a whole have already been dealt with successfully, and the spirit of harmony prevailing at the meetings augers well for the future close co-operation between all sections of the Trust and the administration. FINANCES The following table summarizes the financial transactions of the Department during the year:—
Brief Analysis of Consolidated Fund Payments, Less "Receipts General departmental administration, salaries, travelling-expenses, £ - purchase of equipment, &c. .. .. • • • • • • 312,521 Less— _ Recoveries from Maori Trustee and Maori Land Boards .. 19,979 Miscellaneous recoveries .. .. • • • ■ 4,979 Court fees .. .. •• •• •• 7,808 . 32,766 Net cost of administration .. .. • • • • • • 279,755 Protection of Maori land .. .. .. • • • • • • 23,863 Grants for Maori purposes .. .. • • • • • • • • 184,835 488,453 Civil List .. .. • • • • • • • • • • • • Special Acts .. • • • • • • • • • • .. 27,000 £521,986
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1 Total Payments. | 1 Total Receipts. Consolidated Fund — Civil List (Maori Purposes) Special Acts : Payments in respect of confiscated lands (Arawa, Ngaitahu, Taranaki, and WaikatoManiapoto) Vote, " Maori Affairs " Recoveries from Maori Trustee, Maori Land Boards, and miscellaneous receipts Court fees £ 6,533 27,000 521,219 24,958 7,808 Sub-totals Land for Settlement Account: Maori land settlement, housing, and rehabilitation loans 554,752 1,613,995 32,766 1,428,967 Total, State funds Maori Trust and Maori Land Boards 2,168,747 1,363,194 1,461,733 1,475,667
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LEGISLATION The Maori Purposes Act, 1948, consisted principally of matters of local interest and minor amendments to the law. Provision was made for the empowering of Tribal Committees in isolated areas to carry out all or any of the functions of a Tribal Executive. This power Was .necessary to enable Tribal Committees to function in districts where the formation of a Tribal Executive is not warranted by reason of the small Maori population and the distance from other committees. Provision was also made for the extension to the 30th June, 1950, of the terms of leases of Maori lands vested in Maori Land Boards under Parts XIY and XV of the Maori Land Act, 1931, in cases where the terms of such leases would normally expire before that date. The purpose of the extension was to preserve the rights and obligations of the lessors and lessees pending the determination of questions which, have arisen in regard to the compensation for improvements carried out by the lessees during the terms of the leases. To give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission set up in 1947 to inquire into matters affecting the West Coast Settlement Reserves in Taranaki, the West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Act, 1948, was passed during the last session of Parliament. The main purpose of this Act was to provide for the assessment of. rentals under renewed leases of the reserves on the basis of the unimproved value of the land as determined by the Government Valuation. LAKE TAUPO WATERS COMPENSATION In December, 1948, the Lake Taupo Waters Claims Compensation Court, set up pursuant to section 14 of the Maori Land Amendment and Maori Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1926, made its award of compensation to the owners of Maori lands bordering upon rivers flowing into Lake Taupo. Under the Act of 1926 a Proclamation was issued declaring to fee Crown lands the beds of rivers and streams flowing into the lake for specified distances, and provision was made for a right-of-way 1 chain wide along the banks of the rivers and streams to give public access to them. The Act provided for a Commission' to be set up to award compensation for the right-of-way and the restrictions imposed upon the use of the land. Owing to certain technical difficulties, the appointment of the Commission was delayed, but in 1946 legislation was enacted to resolve those difficulties. The Commissioner appointed was Sir Harold Johnston, K.C., with whom Judge E..M. Beechey, of the Maori Land Court, sat as assessor. A total sum of £45,600 was awarded to the owners for the damage suffered in the use of their land and the loss suffered by deprivation of the right to let any part of the land' for camping-sites or for fishing purposes. STAFF There were several changes in the senior staff of the Department during the year. On 30th September, 1948, the Under-Secretary and Maori Trustee, Mr. G. P. Shepherd, 1.5.0., retired after forty-two years in the Public Service. Formerly Chief Clerk in the Department* he was later appointed a Judge of the Maori Land Court, and in 1941 became Chief Judge. On his being appointed as Under-Secretary in 1944 he retained the dual position for one and one half years, when he relinquished the Chief Judgeship. Mr. Shepherd's: services were recognized by the award of 1.5.0. in the King's Birthday Honours List..: #
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Mr. T. T. Ropiha, formerly Assistant Under-Secretary and Deputy Maori Trustee,, succeeded Mr. Shepherd as Under-Secretary and Maori Trustee on Ist October, 1948. Mr. Ropiha was succeeded as Assistant Under-Secretary early in 1949 by Mr. M. Sullivan, who was formerly Assistant Director of Rehabilitation. Mr. N. W. Smith was appointed Deputy Maori Trustee in January, 1949, this office being regarded as a substantive one owing to the increase in volume of the Trust work of the Department. All Mr. Smith's service has been spent in the Department of Maori Affairs, where he formerly held the position of Chief Clerk. The personnel of the Department as at 31st March, 1949 numbered 620, which represents an increase of 20 over the previous year. Details are as follows, the corresponding figures for last year being shown in parentheses : Clerical StaffPermanent 402 (362)\ 4nc ~1 0. Temporary 24 (50)/ 426 <* l2 > Field StaffPermanent 138 (129)\ Temporary 56 (59)/ 194 (188) 620 (600) The increase over last year's figures is accounted for by additional appointments, mainly in the clerical staff. The difficulty of obtaining experienced clerical staff continues. However, a few more Cadets have become available. During the year a further number of temporary employees were appointed to the permanent staff by the Public Service Commission. MAORI INTERPRETERS' BOARD OF EXAMINERS Eight candidates sat for the Maori Interpreters' Examination, First Grade, during the year, three of these being officers on the staff of the Department. Four of the eight candidates qualified as Licensed Interpreters of the First Grade, of whom two are members of the staff. The eight candidates who sat the examination were members of the Maori race. In the past the provision of an oral test for candidates for the Maori Interpreters' Examination has been at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. Experience has shown that the essential test of a candidate's knowledge of the Maori and English languages is his ability to speak these languages fluently, as well as the ability to write, well in both languages. The oral test has now been made a compulsory subject for the Maori Interpreters' Examination, First Grade, thus ensuring that the candidates who qualify as Licensed Interpreters of the First Grade attain a high standard of proficiency.. A practice of fixing minimum marks to be obtained for a pass in the examination has been adopted, and when the results of the examination are issued candidates are notified of the marks awarded to them. The desire of so many applicants to qualify as Licensed Interpreters is an encouraging sign that interest in this branch of Maori culture is reviving, and it is pleasing to see that an increasing number of Maori officers in this and other Departments are entering for the examination. The loss of Mr. Kingi R. Tahiwi, 0.8. E., whose death occurred in December, 1948, on the eve of his retirement from the Department, is felt deeply by Maoris and Europeans alike. Mr. Tahiwi served for thirty-three years in the Department of Maori Affairs,, and for the last twenty-seven years was Translator to the Department. Mr. Tahiwi was also for many years Co-Examiner for the Maori Interpreters' Examination, First Grade r
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and was to have retained this position after his retirement. The services of so experienced and valuable an officer, whose knowledge of the Maori people and their language and culture was profound, have been very greatly missed. UNEMPLOYMENT, EMPLOYMENT PROMOTION, AND DEVELOPMENT SUBSIDIES, PERIOD IST APRIL, 1933, TO 31st MARCH, 1949 A. Subsidies Granted to Unit Settlers In the early days of development, more especially during the depression period,, it was the practice to establish settlers on relatively undeveloped areas and to pay them a small wage from Unemployment Funds under the control of the Department of Maori Affairs during the period they were developing their holdings and until such time as the farms were self-supporting. When the depression passed and Unemployment and Employment Promotion Funds were no longer available, the method was continued, but the funds were provided from vote, " Maori Affairs." More recently it has been the practice for the Department to develop land fully before establishing settlers at valuation. The expenditure on unit subsidies was never intended to be, nor was it ever, treated as a debt .owing by units ; only the total amount incurred was recorded in the Department's books. In view of the fact that this type of assistance has been almost entirely discontinued it is proposed to cease from showing in the accounts the total'amounts involved to date. The individual amounts which it is proposed to eliminate are — £ s. d. Tokerau District units .. .. .. .. 384,901 7 6 Waikato-Maniapoto District units .. .. 149,686 6 8 Waiariki District units .. .. .. 235,783 5 4 Tairawhiti District units .. .. .. 176,597 411 Aotea District units .. .. .. .. 18,405-18 5 Ikaroa and South Island District units .. .. 32,863 3 0 Total .. .. .. ..£998,237 5 10 B. Development Schemes In cases where the Department itself develops lands, subsidies are granted from year to year to meet, roughly, what will be, at the completion of development, the excess of cost over valuation. This practice is in the process of being discontinued and in future the subsidy will be granted in one lump sum when development is completed and the land is disposed of. Statements showing the losses on development will in future be published in this report. There are two schemes which were disposed of in past years, and there remain in the accounts only the subsidy items. The amounts to be eliminated are — £ s . d. Tairawhiti District: Whareongaonga scheme .. 2,177 13 6 South Island District: Kaiwhare scheme .. 5,372 18 6 £7,550 12 0
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C. Sundry Accounts, Ist April, 1933, to 31st March, 1949 The following amounts will also be eliminated Tairawhiti District — Subsidies granted on labour, cost of erecting store buildings, departmental residences, and store- * *• . men's wages .. • • • • • • 4,536 Aotea District — Rangataua Bush : Post and batten splitting (area cutout) •• •• •• 3 ' 3Bb 17 1U Ikaroa District — Himitangi Nursery (closed down) . • • • li ' z £8,040 0' 9
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TABLE 1—STATISTICAL DATA ON STATE DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES: ALL DISTRICTS
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Particulars. Tokerau. WaikatoManiapoto. Waiariki. Tairawhiti. Aotea. Ikaroa. South Island. Total. 1. Area (acres) 125,406 68,142 240,948 93,735 115,494 13,275 3,295 660,295 2.. Area not suitable for development (acres) 11,814 9,158 89,170 28,223 4,288 960 413 144,026 3. Number of settlers .. 826 251 372 210 90 38 4 1,791 4. Number of Vorkers — (a) Permanent 19 26 9129 40 13 7 225 (b) Casual 51 67 149 130 97 30 4 528 5. Development to date — (a) Permanent grass (acres) 69,184 36,950 85,524 59,032 24,251 6,856 1,721 283,518 (b) Under cultivation (acres) ■2,448 1,863 2,047 931 1,017 368 165 8,839 (c) Undeveloped (acres) 41,960 20,171 64,207 5,549 85,938 5,091 996 223,912 (d) Dwellings (number) 554 207 496 181 115 63 12 1,628 (e) Wool-sheds (number) .. .. . .. 8 40 19 12 11 4 1 95 (/) Cow-sheds (number) 705 184 382 169 85 37 10 1,572 (g) Other farm buildings (number) 54 91 302 129 151 41 14 782 6. Livestock : Stock carried as at 31st March, 1949 — (a) Dairy cows (January figures), (number) 16,640 5,503 9,628 3,173 2,220 991 72 38,227 (b) Other dairy stock (number) 10,171 2,939 4,202 2,512 1,206 613 40 21,683 (c) Run cattle (number) • 4,453 4,654 12,235 6,887 3,405 671 325 32,630 (d) Sheep, breeding-ewes (number) 10,418 30,913 67,204 44,907 21,003 9,490 4,710 188,645 (e) Sheep, other (number) .. .. ... 8,187 14,869 58,378 25,426 14,338 2,338 1,228 124,764 (/) Sheep sales and transfers to other schemes 8,744 23,186 90,669 30,360 28,752 10,944 4,772 197,427 during year (number) (g) Cattle sales and transfers to other schemes 2,014 1,981 8,996 3,222 1,425 299 149 18,086 during year (number) (h) Sheep purchases and transfers from other 5,044 9,952 63,256 10,464 10,310 4,225 2,709 105,960 schemes during year (number) \i) Cattle purchases and transfers from other 852 889 5,425 1,460 929 155 132 9,842 schemes during year (number) 7. Produce for year— (a) Butterfat (lb.) 2,525,627 914,176 1,627,180 511,642 356,860 163,514 15,210 86 6,114,209 (b) Wool (bales) 441 1,036 2,948 1,591 707 295 7,104 8. Net liability to date (£) .. 476,776 338,639 779,654 431,228 336,484 92,182 49,350 2,504,313 9. Subsidies granted during year (£) . . 461 1,362 4,194 556 2,157 2,408 11,138
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Note. Butterfat receipts for State schemes denote only that proportion of cream cheques which is assigned to the Department in repayment of advances and interest due thereon. On settled schemes the policy is to accept an assignment of a percentage of the farmers' monthly cream cheque leaving the balance for maintenance and living expenses. On those dairying schemes which have not yet been individualized, the full amount received for butterfat is retained, the workers being paid wages, but in the majority of cases a proportion only of the cream returns is actually paid to the Department.
TABLE 2—ANALYSIS OF FARMING RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR 1948-49
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Approximate Cash Receipts (Loan Butterfat. Wool. Live-stoek. Sundries. Totals. j Account Assignment and Settlers Proportions). 1. Districts — £ £ £ £ £ 1 £ Tokerau .. .. .. 94,022 16,788 36,092 8,908 155,810 296,842 ' Waikato-Maniapoto .. .. 35,057 32,144 53,512 5,926 126,639 179,226 Waiariki . .. .. 81,798 86,379 272,721 17,672 458,570 570,019 Tairawhiti .. .. 25,074 54,152 64,655 18,632 162,513 190,735 Aotea 19,175 25,503 48,600 10,616 103,894 122,065 Ikaroa 8,601 12,241 18,632 4,246 43,720 52,145 South Island .. .. 548 1,232 13,121 801 15,702 17,031 Sub-totals .. .. 264, 27*5 228,439 507,333 66,801 1,066,848 1,428,063 2. Maori Land Boards .. .. 2,403 36,252 32,852 536 72,043 72,043 3. Maori Trustee 17 64,948 71,110 5,849 141,924 141,924 Totals .. .. 266,695 329,639 611,295 73,186 1,280,815 1,642,030
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TABLE 3—BUILDINGS ERECTED, RENOVATED, AND PURCHASED DURING THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949: MAORI HOUSING, LAND DEVELOPMENT, AND REHABILITATION
(a) Total houses erected, purchased, or renovated from inception to (6) Total farm buildings expected from inception to 31st March, 1949 31st March, 1949 : (approximate)— Under development schemes. .. .. 2,161 Cow-sheds.. .. ..1 636 Rehabilitation .. .. .. .. 325* Wool-sheds !! '.! !!! ' 64 Under Maori Housing Act— Sheep-yards 44 Ordinary . . .. .. 926 Implement- and store-sheds. . .. . . 419 Special . . . . .. 644 1,570 4,056 ♦Adjusting previous understatement. In addition to the above, the following houses were erected during the year ; For Maori Trustee, 2 ; for Maori Land Boards, 3. Twenty-two houses which were 90 per cent, or more complete were occupied.
25
Under Maori Housing Act, 1935. i ■ Under Maori Land | Tinder Rehahili- i Totals. 1 I Farm Improvements Other Than Housing. Ordinary. Special. Development. ] 1 tation. ! 2 Purchased. Additions, Repairs, and Renovations. O © 1 4 rn 2 Additions, Repairs, and Renovations. Erected. Purchased. Additions, Repairs, and Renovations. Erected. Purchased. Additions, Repairs,' and Renovations. Erected. Purchased. Additions, Repairs, j and Renovations. j Cow-sheds: Wool-sheds. Store-sheds. Sheep-yards. Others. Tokerau Waika to-Maniapot o Waiariki Tairawhiti Aotea Ikaroa South Island 27 37 10 16 16 18 24 6 4 6 5 5 1 4 8 12 4 13 11 14 12 9 2 5 1 4 1 5 4 3 2 22 6 4 15 25 11 28 3 11 9 5 24 18 4 6 1 3 5 2 ' ' 1 1 2 51 49 79 55 29 24 23 10 31 ' 3 9 6 38 20 30 13 23 17 6 16 9 7 1 1 "2 1 2 2 8 1 ' 1 ' 6 29* 1 131 49 39 66 5 27 47 78 66 12 3 310 66 147 39 4 13 1 36 * Includes one 20,000 gallons reservoir.
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TABLE 4—MAORI HOUSING ACT, 1935: FINANCIAL RETURN OF OPERATIONS TO 31st MARCH, 1949
26
Ordinary. Special. Totals. Authorized. Authorized. Authorized. Expended. Expended. Expended. Adva b nces 0f Amount. Advices' Amount. Amount " Tokerau .. .. .. 169 124,852 59,551 243 92,961 93,126' 412 217,813 152,677 Waikato-Maniapoto .. .. 280 90,686 78,117 130 56,400 59,560 410 147,086 137,677 Waiariki .. .. 250 244,939 153,780 101 71,376 62,382 351 316,315 216,162 Tairawhiti . .. 310 207,923 87,831 204 91,288 41,169 514 299,211 129,000 Aotea . * .. .. .. 280 163,528 103,217 90 49,339 30,238 370 212,867 133,455 Ikaroa . 247 274,588 199,306 111 51,101 34,325 358 325,689 233,631 South Island .. .. .. 139 80,335 69,233 49 20,475 17,647 188 100,810 86,880 Totals.. .. .. 1,675 1,186,851 751,035 928 432,940 338,447 2,603 1,619,791 1,089,482
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TABLE 5—REHABILITATION OF MAORI EX-SERVICEMEN: STATISTICAL RETURN FOR THE YEAR 1948-49
27
Overseas. Home Service. Totals. During 1948-49. To Date. During 1948-49. To Date. During 1948-49. .To Date. Number. Amount Authorized. Number. Amount Authorized. Number. Amount Authorized. •Number. Amount Authorized. Number. Amount Authorized. Number. Amount Authorized. Settlement on farms .. Purchase of houses Erection of houses Repairs and additions to houses Purchase of tools of trade Purchase of furniture.. Business Miscellaneous 14 7 - 57 1 io4 20 3 £ 38,028 7,661 79,628 670 10,057 3,618 564 44 28 306 15 31 356 56 8 £ 116,936 22,871 323,733 6,667 1,281 32,759 24,921 2,013 1 2 2 £ 1 j 200 200 . 44 5 2 10 3 2 £ 5 j 688 45 942 94 1,700 14 7 58 1 106 22. 3 £ 38,028' 7.661 80,828 670 10^257 3.662 564 44 28 311 15 33 366 59 10 £ *116,936 22,871 329,421 6,667 1,326 33,701 25,015 3,713 Totals 206 140,226 844 ' 531,181 5 1,444 22 8,469 211 141,670 866 539,650 Supplementary loans .. Purchase of properties. . Additional expenditure on properties purchased 7 1,600 36^360 21 9 .4,535 102,925 199,600 1 150 7 1,600 36^360 22 9 4,685 102,925 199,600 * In addition, 33 Maori ex-servicemen have been settled through the agency of the State Advances Part I of the Maori Land Amendment Act, 1936. Corporation, while a further 92 are occupying land under the provisions of
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TABLE 6—SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION OF MAORI TRUSTEE AND DISTRICT MAORI LAND BOARDS AS AT 31st MARCH, 1949
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— Tokerau. WaikatoMaiiiapoto. Waiariki. Tairawhiti. j Aotea. Ikaroa. South Island. Sub-total (Including Maori Trust Branches). Maori Trust (Head Office). Grand Total. Total receipts Total payments Cash balances Investments — On deposit with Maori Trustee Government securities Mortgages Farming properties and primary production Amounts held for Maori beneficiaries .Reserves — Assurance and Reserve Fund .. Special £ 75,583 58,181 9,493 41,093 22,865 | 2,351 65,975 132 103 1 £ 97,070 87,728 13,293 85,897 20,049 16,043 11,699 113,493 14,478 28,370 £ 162,770 164,804 5,132 I 100,645 I 49,065 j 28,905 76,985 166,272 1 8,262 74,662 1 £ 242,991 217,164 5,933 39,891 1 90,717 1 136,682 64,265 I 129,460 14,213 | 67,620 £ 225,872 | 204,771 i 6,346 | 209,053 70,042 152,501 7,066* 384,867 56,831 I 26,788 1 £ 84,555 1 71,789 | 2,085 57,839 37,730 25,759 900 112,530 9,184 3,842 £ 18,596 15,950 2,133 j 14,678 10,739 3,879 28,295 i 2,610 1,723 1 £ 907,437 820,387 44,415 549,096 301,207 366,120 146,783 1,000,892 105,710 203,108 £ 568,230 542,807 32,949 674,760 117,236 15,590 68,835 118,289 5,441 £ 1,475,667 1,363,194 77,364 549,096 975,967 483,356 162,373 1,069,727 223,999 208,549 * Credit item.
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TABLE 7—RETURN OF ALIENATIONS CONFIRMED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949
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Leases. —. —. 1 1 Bales. New leases. Renewals. Timber- cutting Mortgages. ' Court District. To Europeans. To Maoris. To Europeans. To Maoris. | Rights. To Europeans. To Maoris-. No. Area. No. Area. No. Area. No. 1 Area. | No. j Area. No. 1 | Area. No. Area. No. Area. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres, Tokerau . . o 1 1 31 j 1 81 n 251 10 545 Waikato-Maniapoto 30 i 3,706 3 179 33 2,042 8 244 Waiariki 9 460 19 1,276 3 io2 6 4,715 5 3 1 27 3 1 Tairawhiti . . -. 14 2,214 1 36 4,122 3 90 ii ' 510 i ii 88 8 225 Aotea 69 5,692 ! 15 2,144 • ■ ! 2 670 14 I 226 12 318 2 "548 Ikaroa . . . . | 84 6,004 12 1,002 5 5,747 41 ! 226 9 53 South Island .. 6 114 4 83 3 946 8 370 4 29 Totals .. | 214 18,191 90 8,837 6 242 n 510 17 j 12,159 123 3,206 52 1,441 5 2,516
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TABLE 8—RETURN OF MAORI LAND COURT BUSINESS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949
30
Totals. Tokerau. WaikatoManiapoto. Waiariki. Tairawhiti. Aotea. Ikaroa. South Island. 1947-48. 1948-49. Maori Land Court Number of sittings 119 118 16 18 21 25 11 16 11 Number of applications received .. 12,426 2,670 1,667 2,554 1,432 1,845 1,710 548 Number of partition orders made .. 624 1,118 67 365 262 274 44 93 13 Number of investigations of title .. 1 1 Number of succession orders made 5,236 6,497 385 835 1 j 543 1 j 649 1 j 091 711 283 Number of exchange orders made . . | 897 13 778 36 42 18 10 Number of rating orders made ' Q QQQ 299 22 245 18 14 Number of vesting orders made f 6 9 oov 513 17 273 79 47' 26 60 11 Number of other orders made I'2,662 137 301 709 1,030 243 204 38 Maori Appellate Court Number of sittings ll 4 1 1 2 Number of cases notified 27 8 2 1 5 Maori Land Court decisions varied 4 Maori Land Court decisions affirmed 2 1 1 Maori Land Court decisions referred 2 1 1 back to Maori Land Court Maori Land Court decisions annulled 1 1. 1 Appeals dismissed or withdrawn .. 15 1 '2' Appeals adjourned sine die 3 1 1 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Court and Board fees collected 5,800 7,757 1,179 1,080 1,441 1,263 1,395 1,105 294
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TABLE 9—MAORI LAND PURCHASE OPERATIONS FROM 1st APRIL, 1948, TO 31st MARCH, 1949: BLOCKS PROCLAIMED CROWN LAND
Approximate Cost uf Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,823 copies), £BO.
By Authority: E. E. Owen, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 949. Price 9d.]
31
Block. Area. Gazette. A. R. p. Rotoiti No. 3m, Blocks III, IV, and VII, Rotoiti 996 3 0 10/6/48 Survey District Te Wera-a-Whaitiri No. 2d, Block II, Wainuioru 1 Survey District I 95 2 7-3 35 Part Te Wera-a-Whaitiri No. 2c 2, Block II, Waij h 2 0 3 35 nuioru Survey District J Rangitoto-Tuhua Part 72b 3d, Block III, Mapara 37 0 0 28/10/48 Survey District Taraire 2j lc 1, Block XV, Omapere Survey District 1 19 3 34 JJ Taraire 2j Id, Block XV, Omapere Survey District 1 13 1 6 55 Taraire 2j 1e, Block XV, Omapere Survey District 1 61 r 8 0 21 33 Taraire 2j 1g (part), Block XV, Omapere Survey 3 22 33 District Taraire 2j 1h, Block XV, Omapere Survey District 28 1 30 33
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DEPARTMENT OF MAORI AFFAIRS ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MAORI AFFAIRS AND OF THE UNDERSECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF MAORI AFFAIRS, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949, Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1949 Session I, G-09
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12,799DEPARTMENT OF MAORI AFFAIRS ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MAORI AFFAIRS AND OF THE UNDERSECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF MAORI AFFAIRS, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949 Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1949 Session I, G-09
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