C.—l

28

Remuera Settlement. —The settlers on this block are now settling down. Three of the sections were abandoned—one of these has been reseleoted, and there should be no difficulty in disposing of the others. Some of the sections have been regrouped, and this has made the settlers more contented. At the present time there are twenty settlers all milking and doing well. A road contract has just been completed, which finishes all the roading required at present. Te Pua Settlement. —The five sections on this settlement are all occupied, and all the settlers are getting along satisfactorily, but the land will have to be continually top-dressed to give the best results. Tokiri Settlement.—This settlement was originally subdivided into five sections which experience has proved did not allow a sufficient area for each settler. Two of the original selectors abandoned, and the land has now been resubdivided into three holdings for the remaining settlers. Also new values have been fixed, and the settlers should now settle down and be able to make a success of their holdings, or make room for others who can. Waimata Settlement.—This is one of the best settlements. The soil is of a good quality, and, the sections being of ample area, the ultimate success of the settlers depends almost entirely upon themselves. The settlers are milking on the flat and running sheep on the hills, and the general condition of the settlement is very satisfactory. Koremoa Settlement.—This settlement has been in an unsatisfactory state owing to the areas being too small. Some of the sections have been abandoned, and this has enabled an adjustment of boundaries. Settlers on the block are dairying, but as the majority of the land is fairly poor top-dressing will be necessary to give the best results. There are at least three more areas to adjust before things will be satisfactory. Paerata Settlement.—Good progress is still being made on this settlement. Owing to the rather severe winter and equally bad spring, however, the dairying and running stock were not in as good condition as could be desired. The outlook for the approaching winter has considerably brightened as a result of the recent copious rainfall, but a good metalled access road to the railway is required. Streamlands Settlement.—The settlers on this settlement, eleven in number, have experienced a bad time. There has been very little growth except on the swamp portion of the settlement. Most of the hay crops saved were very light, and forage crops for the winter have not made a good start. Fly has been very bad and in some cases has absolutely wiped out the swede crops. The outlook for the winter, however, has considerably brightened as a result of copious rains. Waiteitei Settlement.—The settlers on this settlement are in practically the same position as those on Streamlands Settlement, but the effects are less, as fewer of the settlers are dairying. The country is very mixed ; on the river-flats and hills, where taraire and rata grew the soil is good, but where the kauri grew it is a very hard proposition, especially where impregnated with blackberry. Motutara Settlement.—This settlement owing to its position by the sea requires shelter-trees, but owing to the salt-laden winds their propagation has been difficult. A fair amount of top-dressing was done in the autumn, but the wet and cold winds rather hampered growth. The metalling of the access road is materially assisting the settlers, some of whom are dairying and one or two running sheep. Forage crops have not done as well as could be desired, and owing to the summer dry spell the ground became very dried up, and the settlers were able to milk only once a day. In all, this settlement has experienced a particularly bad season. The expense of keeping this pasture in good heart is very heavy. Puni Settlement. —The bad season has had its effect on both feed and stock, but the holdings are being kept in a reasonable condition. Various of the sections have been regrouped, and the remaining settlers, who are all triers, should now be 011 a fairly satisfactory footing and able to make a success of their holdings. We still have one difficult proposition, and he would, I think, be wise to relinquish his farm. Auckland. (K. M. Gkaham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No fresh areas have been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act, during the year. The most of the older settlements are now firmly established, and the outlook of the settlers generally on these is particularly bright. Referring to the more recently acquired settlements, which were taken up principally by discharged soldiers, most of the settlers have benefited by the provisions for revaluation in the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1923, and have obtained substantial reduction in capital values, which should give them now a reasonable chance of success. Te Ngaroa Settlement, comprising two sections of a total area of 157 acres, was opened during the year, and both sections were selected. This was the only settlement made available other than isolated sections which had reverted to the Crown by process of forfeiture or surrender It is hoped to have opened for selection during the coming year portions of Reparoa and Orongo Settlements which have not been previously offered and comprising about 6,000 acres, while numerous sections in other settlements will also be made available for selection. There are in this district fifty-two settlements, 011 which at the present time there are 900 leaseholders occupying 123,471 acres, while 676 settlers occupying 123,925 acres have acquired the freehold to date. Gisborne. (E. H. Farnie, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The old-established settlements in this district are still in a flourishing state. It has been found necessary in two or three instances to afford relief to the settlers who had purchased on deferred payment by allowing them to revert to renewable lease. These old land-for-settlement purchases were undoubtedly sound investments, and the average selector is doing very well.