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Abreaes. Rents in arrear at the 31st March amounted to £358,225, an increase of £190,387 from last year. This increase has been general throughout the Dominion, and has occasioned the greatest anxiety. Very careful attention has been given the problem of reducing arrears ; but unfortunately the position is not one that admits of an early recovery. It will be modified partly by remissions and revaluations where necessary. There is, however, a limit to what can be done in this way, and the majority of cases can only be met by stable prices and increased production consequent upon improved farming methods. Undoubtedly this question demands the most careful yet sympathetic handling during the extended period that must necessarily elapse before a normal position can be regained. EXPKNDITUEE.

Summary of Expenditure approved during the Year ended 31st March, 1923.

Name of Vote or Account. Net Amount voted. Gross Expenditure. Recoveries. Net Expenditure. Consolidated Fund. £ Vote Lands and Survey (Subdivision 1) .. 164,459 Vote Lands and Survey (Subdivision 11) 40,983 Land for Settlements Account : Expenses 5,258 Land for Settlements Account : Lands 5,123 for settlement of discharged soldiers— Expenses Scenery-preservation Account .. 11,141 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account: 44,000 Expenses of management £ 164,459 40,983 5,258 5,123 £ s d. 257,242 11 11 27,533 8 11 3,583 16 4 4,085 .11 2 £ s. d. 130,852 4 11 1,547 0 0 3,180 18 3 £ s. d. 126,390 7 0 25,986 8 11 402 18 1 4,085 11 2 11,141 44,000 9,403 3 5 41,131 5 8 2,405 8 11 6.997 14 6 41,131 5 8 Totals .. .. ..270,964 270,964 342,979 17 5 137,985 12 1 204,994 5 4 Public Works Fund. Roads to open up land for settlements .. 110,312 110,312 78,891 6 4 540 17 0 78,350 9 4 Totals .. .. .. 110,312 110,312 78,891 6 4 540 17 0 78,350 9 4 Other Accounts. Land for Settlements Account Land for Settlements Account: Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account Rangitaiki Land Drainage Account (section 7, Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910) Hauraki Plains Settlement Account (section 5, Hauraki Plains Amendment Act, 1922) Hauraki Plains Settlement Account (section 93, Reserves, &c, Act, 1916) Swamp Land Drainage Account (section 95, Reserves, &c, Act, 1916) — Kaitaia Waihi .. Poukawa Hikurangi .. Mangawai Kauri-gum Reserve General Swamp Land Drainage Account (section 2, Swamp Land Drainage Amendment Act, 1922) Kauri-gum Industry Account National Endowment Account Native Land Settlement Account: Surveys, &c. .. Native Land Settlement Account (section 19, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1922) Cheviot Estate Account (section 300, Land Act, 1908) Cheviot Estate Account (section 19, Land Laws Amendment Act, 1922) Waimarino Bush-fire Relief Account General Purposes Relief Account Hunter's Soldier Assistance Trust Account Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account Refunds, deposits, &C. 28,500 10 9 56,038 14 2 47,649 6 2 7,979 0 0 88,456 4 1] 14,847 12 5 11,021 4 6 86 10 0 18,255 15 3 100 0 0 3,387 18 3 1,658 17 10 674 16 8 10 3,316 1 5 0 9 12 3 7 19 10 2 0 8 0 3 9 0 28,500 10 9 56,038 14 2 46,974 10 0 7.970 10 0 85,110 3 3 14,842 12 5 11,011 12 3 86 10 0 18,252 7 6 100 0 0 3,368 8 3 1,658 17 10 28,824 11 8 12,372 18 10 55,674 1 11 2,417 (i 0 2 JO 0 28,822 1 8 12,372 18 10 53,061 4 3 2,407 0 4 2,612 J7 10 5 8 8 0 18 0 556 7 3 0 18 0 556 7 3 40 11 3 600 0 0 37 0 8 1,333,513 2 10 23,171 6 0 1 9 6 39 1 9 600 0 0 37 0 8 1,333,513 2 10 23,171 6 0 Totals .. 11,735,189 18 8 6,694 0 8 1,728,495 18 0 Grand totals 2,157,061 2 5 145,220 9 9 2,011,840 12 8