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was set up and made a careful and thorough investigation of each section and the lessee's position. The committee duly submitted its report to the Hon. Minister of Lands. There are still a few cases where lessees are not proving satisfactory, and action is being taken to remedy the position. Wheat has been grown successfully in the Hatuma Settlement, practically the first year it has been tried. The result was first rate. One paddock of 40 acres yielded 53 bushels to the acre, and one of 45 acres, 38 bushels. The grower received a very satisfactory report on this from the millers. TARANAKI. (W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) A number of properties have been offered during the year, but no purchases have resulted owing to a variety of causes. Of the existing settlements the position at Huatoki has improved most during the year, and only two small areas remain unselected at the present time. The older dairying settlements are prosperous, and the less successful ones are receiving assistance under the Deteriorated Lands Act provisions. The control of ragwort on Karu, Piu, Croydon, and portions of Kota is still a matter of concern. Unremitting labour and suitable stocking are required. Production has been exoptionally good, but graziers have had a bad year financially in common with the rest of the grazier and farming community. WELLINGTON. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The older estates, with few exceptions, are now firmly established, and many of the settlers hold their lands on freehold title. Those estates acquired after about 1915 were purchased mainly for the settlement of discharged soldiers, and have been reviewed by the Dominion Revaluation Board. It is hoped that with the reductions in values, remissions, &c, granted by that Board, the soldier settlers will soon be as firmly established as the farmers on the older estates. The Westella Estate was opened in May, 1929, and the twelve sections into which the property was subdivided were eagerly sought after. The successful applicants are all dairying, and are apparently doing well. Three properties were purchased during the year on the " group " system, under Part II of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1928. Eight settlers were thus provided with farms. As the purchases are of recent date, it is too early yet to report upon their progress. NELSON. (A. F. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new areas have been acquired under the Land for Settlements Act during the past year. A number of properties have been offered to the Department, but a preliminary inspection has shown that they have not been suitable for subdivision into dairy-farms. MARLBOROUGH. (P. R. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Very little change can be reported in the matter of estates purchased for settlement purposes. The older-established settlements are in a sound condition, and if settlers are not doing just as well as is desirable, it is where they have bought in at high goodwills with consequent heavy mortgages. The more recently purchased properties are not in the same happy position, but with the amended revaluation legislation, such cases as require adjustment are receiving attention, and it is confidently anticipated that in the near future all the settlements will be on a payable basis. Twenty-nine properties, comprising 88,806 acres, in this district were offered during the year to the Dominion Land Purchase Board, but all, except one, which is still under consideration, were, after careful consideration, refused for varying reasons. WESTLAND. (W. T. Morpeth, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The only land purchased during the year was a property at Raupo. The area was 907 acres, and it was subdivided into four sections, all of which have been disposed of. A number of other places were offered to the Government, but all of them, for various reasons, were considered to be unsuitable for closer settlement.