C.—9.

GISBORNEi (E. H. Farnie, Commissioner of Grown Lands.) General Remarks. —As anticipated last year, the soldier settlers in this district have now settled down as the result of revaluations, and are, in the majority of cases, doing well. In some instances the Board has found it necessary to take drastic action with regard to the non-payment of rent, but in 110 case has it been necessary to go to the length of absolute forfeiture. Investigation of Current Accounts by the Dominion Board showed that the Department's securities in this respect were quite sound. Only in two instances was it found necessary to effect any reduction. Four holdings in the Opotiki County held by discharged soldiers reverted to the Crown during the year as the result of the inability of the holders to carry on on what is known as " deteriorated lands." The position of these four men was hopeless, and they wisely decided to cut their losses and abandon their farms. Stockvalues showed a marked falling-ofl through the drought, but those settlers who are able to hold their stock should do very well next year. Speaking generally, the various settlements are in quite a prosperous position, and the outlook of the soldier settlers is distinctly hopeful. HAWKE'S BAY. (J. D. Thomson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The sharp contrast in prices of wool and fat stock for this season as compared with the phenomenally high prices for last season has been strongly reflected in the present financial position of the soldier settler, and much of the good work done by the Dominion Revaluation Board has been nullified for the present, though as a matter of fact the prices realized for wool —which averaged over lid. per pound —and for stock have been far from famine prices and have not seriously affected the older and better-established settlers. The dairy-farmer has passed through a particularly trying season —cold rains and high drying winds set in during August and continued practically throughout the season, with the natural result of a reduced output and the stock in low condition to face the coming winter. The one class of settler to be congratulated on having a good season is the orchardist. Costs of labour and spraying have been at a minimum, while the yield has been heavy and the prices good. A recompense for the ill effects of the dry season on stock and pasture has been the opportunity presented to clean up dirty areas on the holdings, and a number of the settlers have taken full advantage of the chance to do so. The great benefits derivable from top-dressing with suitable manures are now fully realized by an ever-increasing number of settlers, and it is confidently expected that increased productivity of the soil may be looked for in the future, particularly in the pumiceous areas of the northern portion of the district. No new areas were acquired for settlement, but a number of abandoned farms have been disposed of, and during the coming year it is anticipated that this unpleasant feature in connection with the discharged soldier settlement will soon disappear. TARANAKI. (W. I). Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The soldier settlers in common with the general farming community have experienced an uncertain year, and returns generally show a decrease from the previous season. The dairymen experienced a cold, wet spring, and factory returns were a month later coming in as compared with the year preceding. The drop in wool-prices has required a sympathetic administration of Current Accounts where securities are represented in sheep. A number of soldier settlers have been compelled to draw on capital, but as the sheep securities are more or less in a healthy condition the position is expected to right itself during the coming season, provided a normal year is experienced by graziers. Generally the grazier in Taranaki, whether soldier or civilian, is faced with the problem of deterioration, and the administration of the recent legislation will have a large bearing on the success or failure of the hill-country farmer in this district. Owing to the Dominion Revaluation Board's determinations a number of deserving soldier settlers have been put on a satisfactory financial position and given a reasonably clear start. The concessions in many cases have been generous, and it is incumbent on soldier mortgagors to realize their obligations to the State if they desire to remain on the holdings. Abandoned properties present a constant problem in the district. Invariably the properties have been neglected prior to foreclosure or abandonment, and it has been necessary to write the charges down with concessions under the new mortgages to secure fresh purchasers. The Department has been fairly successful in securing purchasers for these properties. The number of farms abandoned or bought in under the powers of sale in the Crown mortgage during the past year is forty-five, and sixty-four farms have been sold. At present there are 457 soldiers on farms, who have received advances for their purchase under section 2 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1917, and a further 529 have obtained assistance for the purchase or erection of house properties. The total amount outstanding on mortgage, including Current Account advances, is £1,341,098. During the past year the total revenue received was £176,560 1 Is. Id., and moneys advanced amounted to £88,048. Arrears of interest and instalments are still fairly considerable, but in the

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