8.—6.

to £4,098, out of the estimated total amount in 1891 of £5,000, of the deficiencies then expected to arise. Of this deficiency, the amount which has already been appropriated has, as the Committee is doubtless aware, been met out of the profits of the Public Trust Office. The Natives show an increasing confidence that the lands which have been reserved for them will be so administered by the Public Trustee that the owners will derive the greatest possible benefit. In the district of the West Coast settlement reserves, the distrust with which the Natives formerly regarded every proposal to make use of the idle reserves has disappeared, and opposition to settlement has given place to a desire that the reserves not necessary to the Natives for their own residence and cultivation should be leased for the purpose of the income. An area of 17,600 acres of these reserves, which were idle and unoccupied, has been leased in ninety-six sections since the passing of " The West Coast Settlement Eeserves Act, 1892," and the survey of an additional area has just been completed of 9,000 acres, which are about to be offered on lease at once. From these new lands the income of the Natives has been increased by upwards of £1,600, and the total income of the reserves from £11,600 to £14,300, which will provide an allowance of not less than £7 a year to every man, woman, and child of the Natives who are interested in the land. And these Natives have, besides, for their own free use, a large area of some of the best portions of the land. GOVERNMENT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT. The accounts of the Government Insurance Department will show that it never occupied a stronger position than at the present time. The new business of the year was virtually £100,000 in advance of the business of 1892, whilst the expense rate still further declined, and now stands lower than at any time during the last eight years. The triennial valuation of the liabilities of the department under its policies has been carried out upon principles approved by the London actuaries. After having made very substantial reserves, a cash surplus of £140,000 remained, and has been converted into reversionary bonuses, which have been added to the policies in force. lam pleased to be able to say that the result of the triennial investigation shows the financial condition of the department to be unquestionably sound. The mortality amongst the policyholders continues to be remarkably light, and the sums assured, with bonus additions thereto, have now reached nine million pounds sterling. The funds steadily continue to accumulate, and at the close of the year amounted to £2,128,590. THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE. Eecognising the many avenues that well-directed efforts might discover for the advancement of our industries and commerce, the Government decided during the year to create a department whose special duty is to develop and further the interests of the industrial and commercial community in this colony. I am glad to be able to assure the House that the work of this department seems likely to be of considerable advantage to the colony generally, and, although still in its infancy, the work it has already done has proved the wisdom of its establishment. I feel sure that there will be few dissentients from the promotion of efforts intended to provide fresh markets for our products. The Government was so impressed with the importance of this subject that when a delegate was despatched to Canada to represent the colony at the Ottawa Conference he was specially commissioned to obtain from every possible source data which might be of service in opening up trade with foreign markets. The Department of Industries and Commerce will give publicity to these particulars, for the benefit of colonists. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ' The work in this department has steadily increased, and the endeavours made to assist settlers by supplying information have met with cordial approval. From time to time pamphlets on different subjects by the Biologist, Veterinary

Administration of Native lands.

West Coast reserves.

Progress of business of the department.

Fresh markets for our products essential.

Work of department increased.

VIII