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Westland. (W. T. Morpeth, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The only settlements in the Westland District are Kokatahi and Poerua. Both these have been very successful. All the settlers are engaged in dairying, most of them being practically independent. Canterbury. (G. H. Bollard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) were acquired this year. All the settlements are well established, and tenants generally doing well, except where areas are on the small side, or the farmer embarrassed by legacies of debt left over from the slump period. Otago. (R. S. Galbraith, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No fresh estates in Otago were acquired under the Land for Settlements Act during the year. One large freehold property was subdivided privately and sold by public auction : that was the Mount Royal Estate, for which there was keen competition. Some settlements in north Otago, acquired in recent years, are handicapped by lack of an adequate water-supply on several of the allotments. Steps are now being taken to remedy this defect. It has been found that some settlements have been subdivided into holdings of too-limited acreage. The only possible thing that could happen is happening : farmers are buying out their next-door neighbours. Generally speaking, the tenants on settlements in Otago are doing well and are satisfied with their prospects. Southland. (K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The only matters of importance with reference to lands held under the Land for Settlements Act dealt with during the year under review were, firstly, the revaluation of those farms on which discharged soldiers were settled ; and, secondly, the passing of legislation enabling Knowsley Park and Waiarakiki Settlements to be revalued. As a result of the soldiers' revaluation the settlers concerned have been placed on a very fair footing, and from now on they should materially improve their positions. The revaluation of the two settlements mentioned above will be taken in hand shortly, and relief will be given where necessary. During the year good progress has been made with the roading of the Waikiwi Town Settlement. When this work has been completed I anticipate that the majority of the sections will be selected. These suburban building-sites have gone off well, and as further access is provided more sections will be opened for selection. No new estates were purchased during the year, and, taken on the whole, the settlements may be said to be in a satisfactory position.

APPEN J) IX 111. I,\M) J) RAIN AGE OPERATIONS. (0. N. Campbell, Chief Drainage Engineer.) Although no new major operations have coiiie into view during the past year, many small projects have been dealt with ; in fact, there has been a large increase in the number of drainage propositions of a minor nature which have been submitted to the branch for investigation and report. In many cases preliminary inspections were made to determine whether the expense of a proper engineering survey was warranted. Among the number of special inspections and reports made were the following : Hamilton Domain ; Horehore Settlement; Kaihu River ; Kaipara River ; Crown lands at Te Kopuru ; Seaward Moss drainage; pakihi lands, Westland; Kongahu Swamp ; Pokeno Valley; Aratapu Swamp ; Section 29, Block XI, Rangiriri; Pukemapou Settlement; Tarawera and Botomahana Lakes; Henry Settlement; Wairere Settlement; Maungateparu Settlement; Tihaka Swamp ; Tuatua Moana Swamp, &c. Works done by local bodies out of grants and subsidies have been examined and passed, a total of £3,399 14s. 2d. being approved for payment. Separate reports as required by statute have been made on the Hauraki Plains area, Rangitaiki Swamp, and the areas administered under the Swamp Drainage Act, 1915. The following is a short report on general works carried out by the branch : — Orongo Settlement. —The agricultural work carried out comprised ploughing and cultivating 54 acres, sowing 42J acres, mowing 40 acres, disking and cultivating 32-J- acres. Some of the settlers have reploughed small areas with their own teams with very good results, and it is now possible for lessees to control the fescue without further assistance. It is desirable, however, that a decision be reached regarding the work to be done on the unoccupied areas, as, unless the fescue is controlled, it will soon spread to the now cleared land. All drains have been cleaned, and improvements and repairs to drains, flood-gates, and stop-banks carried out where necessary. Expenditure for the year was £1,711 18s. Reporoa Settlement,.—The maintenance of the roads and drains has been the principal work carried out during the year. In the swamp portion of the settlement the maintenance of roads is particularly expensive, owing to the pumice used for blinding being washed away by the rain and blown away during