9

G.—H.

Statement of Live-stock depastured on Farms at 31st March, 1925.

Summary. £ s. d. 24,183 sheep, valued at.. . . .. . . 16,490 11 0 2,682 cattle, valued at.. .. .. .. 10,053 10 0 70 horses, valued at .. .. .. 550 0 0 26,935 £27,094 1 0

Sir, — Wellington, 7th September, 1925. I have to report that I have completed the audit of the accounts of the East Coast Native Trust lands for the year ended 31st March, 1925, and have the following comments to make thereon : — Stock Accounts. —I have accepted without reservation the statement of live-stock at the various farms as certified by Mr. H. Syme, Farm Superintendent, and by Mr. J. Harvey, Agent for the Bast Coast Commissioner at Gisborne. Mahurangi Farm. —Two amounts of £20 Bs. sd. and £28 18s. lOd. for stores, &c., have been debited to this farm. This expenditure was incurred on behalf of Kopua Farm, and an adjusting entry will be made during the current year. Patemaru Farm--In the accounts at 31st March, 1924, there was shown in this account " Strainers on hand, £237 10s." This amount has now been transferred to Suspense Account, and is shown separately in the balance-sheet, and will be charged up to the various farms as the strainers are used. Standardized Form of Accounts for Farms. —My recommendation in my report of 15th September, 1924, in connection with standardizing the form of accounts for farms has been adopted in preparing the accounts for this year. Te Kuri. —This statement shows only the expenses incurred for the two years ended 31st March, 1925. The items charged to Principal-security Block which should have been debited to Te Kuri have not yet been extracted, but these accounts will be adjusted as soon as the figures are obtained. Interest on Old Native Accounts. —With the consent of the East Coast Commissioner, interest at 5 per cent, has been charged against the old advances made to various Natives. Many of the old accounts have been either reduced or closed during the past year, owing to the resumption of the distribution of profits on account of various blocks. Tahora 2c 3, Sec. 2. —An adjustment has now been made in connection with the freehold account of this block. The valuation of the balance of the land held by the Trust now stands at £4,050. Distributions. —Distributions have been made on several blocks during the past year. In some instances a cheque was handed to the Native Department for distribution to the various Natives concerned. We have vouched only the receipt by the Native Land Department of the total moneys received, but have not checked the receipts of the Natives. The Native Land Department accounts are audited by a Government Auditor, who is stationed at Gisborne. I have adopted the same procedure as last year, and have arranged, with the consent of the East Coast Commissioner, for the Government Auditor to check the individual payments. Subject to the foregoing remarks, I certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief the accounts are correct. Enclosed please find copy of accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1925. I remain, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Native Affairs, Wellington. Arthur T. Clarke, Auditor.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (475 copies), £14.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92s.

Price 6d.]

2—Gr. 3.

I I " Sheep. J Cattle. Horses. ! Totals. Farm where depastured. —r r : : :■ ; Number, j Value. | Number. Value. Number. Value. j Number. Value. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Huia .. .. 2,066 1,414 10 0 274 879 10 0 3 15 0 0 2,343 2,309 0 0 Mahurangi .. .. 3,336 2,302 9 0 581 2,124 0 0 3 45 0 0 3,920 4,471 9 0 Pakowhai .. .. 691 385 15 0 97 433 0 0 1 10 0 0 789 828 15 0 Papuni .. .. 4,415 3,073 12 0 460 1,745 0 0 25 140 0 0 4,900 4,958 12 0 Paremata .. .. 2,125 1,356 16 0 121 578 10 0 7 140 0 0 2,253 2,075 6 0 Patemaru .. .. 3,140 2,224 14 0 397 1,457 10 0 9 60 0 0 3,546 3,742 4 0 Te Kopua .. .. 4,378 .3,094 6 0 480 1,596 10 0 10 50 0 0 4,868 4,740 16 0 Waimaha .. .. 4,032 2,638 9 0 272 1,239 10 0 12 90 0 0 4,316 3,967 19 0 24,183 16,490 11 0 2,682 10,053 10 0 70 550 0 0 26,935 27,094 1 0