G.—9

2

The accountancy work of the various Boards entails a considerable amount of supervision, owing to the number of owners, and variation of the interests of the respective beneficiaries. The turnover of the Boards for the year totals the sum of £583.035 13s. lid., while the actual cash received by the Boards for the same period amounts to £271,671 14s. Bd., being £24,976 14s. 3d. less than for the preceding period. Table B herewith sees out in detail the Board operations, and is also attached, together with statements as to receipts and disbursements, the table in question being a continuation of that contained in previous reports. The revenue received through the Maori Land Board from fees payable under section 81 for the year ending 316t March last represents a total of £3,819 lis., which is certainly satisfactory, considering that the average for the five years since the 1909 Act came into force was £4,124 6s. 6d. per annum. The other amounts received by way of revenue are commission and interest balances amounting to £4,637 ss. Id., making a total revenue received from the Boards for the year of £8,456 16s. Id. Native Land Purchase. The Native Land Purchase Board held twelve meetings during the year. A considerable number of applications have been received and have been duly considered by the Board. The purchases actually completed for the period comprise an area of 96,256 acres, and include 27 acres of the Orakei Block, in which a total area of 517 acres has now been acquired. Negotiations are in progress for the purchase of tho balance of this block, and further negotiations are in progress for an area of 389,933 acres of Native freehold land, excluding the West Coast Settlement and Drewera reserves. Some 99,355 acres of Native land have been subject during the year to prohibitions against private alienation. Of this area, portion was acquired by the Crown during the preceding period, while 18,860 acres of the balance were purchased during the year. Negotiations are in progress at present for the balance of the land still under prohibition. Native Interpreters. During the year thirty persons sat for examination, with the following results: Fourteen passed first-grade examination and seven passed second-grade examination. Fees received under this heading total £76 13s. It has been found necessary to cancel one first-grade license, owing to irregularities on the part of the holder. Departmental. The Tairawhiti and Waianki Courts and Boards, of Gisborne and Rotorua respectively, are now located in their new offices. I would suggest that action be taken to arrange for erecting new offices for the Aotea Court and Board at Wanganui. The Department's expenditure for the year was £'24,004 lis. lid., while the total amount of revenue received by way of Native Land Court, Maori Land Board, and Native Interpreter Board's fees totalled the sum of £14,505 19s. 7d. Thos. W. Fisheb, Under-Secretary.