H.—35

following statement some idea may be gained of the value to the community of the developmental work on farms already done or to be carried out eventually by means of contracts approved under this Scheme : — Acres. Scrub-cutting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 195,684 Bush-felling .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31,361 Stumping, grubbing, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 35,366 Sowing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,411 Ploughing and harrowing .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,587 Top-dressing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,098 Chains. Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 65,776 Draining .. .. .. .. .. .. 55,056 Roading .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,096 Splitting posts, battens, and strainers — Number. Posts and strainers .. .. .. .. .. .. 164,918 Battens .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 129,100 It is estimated that the above work will make provision for the carrying of the following additional stock : Sheep, 226,017 ; cattle, 45,145 ; poultry, 500 ; pigs, 204 ; horses, 10. Scheme No. 11, which was formulated with the co-operation of the Department of Agriculture in September, 1932, for the purpose of checking the rabbit pest, was subject to restrictions during the year by way of reduced subsidies and curtailment in certain areas where the prices obtained for rabbitskins were sufficiently high for the workers so placed to continue in this work without assistance from the Unemployment Fund. On account of the excellent values being obtained for the skins the Board decided in June, 1933, to suspend the scheme in all districts; but as the price for skins has since become subject to a seasonal decrease the scheme has been reopened, on an amended basis, as from Ist September, 1933. Approximately 2,570 workers have been given employment for varying periods under this scheme. CAMP SCHEMES. A considerable amount of valuable work has been carried out by relief labour, both single and married men, employed under the various camp schemes which were described in detail in the Board's previous report. During the past year many additional camps have been established by the Public Works Department and Maiii Highways Board for the improvement of roads and highways, the establishment costs of the camps being met by the Department concerned, which also provides cookingutensils and food. Other camps have been established from time to time by the Public Works Department and by local bodies, both for road work and for land-improvement, especially land-drainage and other classes of developmental work. Afforestation also provides a most suitable form of reproductive work for the employment of relief labour, more particularly in view of the fact that the planting season falls in mid-winter. The Unemployment Board has approved of special rates of contribution in respect of registered and eligible unemployed men selected for camps established by the State Forest Service, whose planting activities during the past year would otherwise have been handicapped. As a result, over 30,000 acres of trees were planted with relief labour. The Board regards this type of work as one of the most useful avenues of employing relief labour, and it is on that account particularly gratified to have received reports of the interest taken in the work by the men and of their excellent conduct while so engaged. The numbers of men engaged under camp schemes at the end of each four weeks during the period now under review will be found in Table II of the Appendix. GOLD MINING AND PROSPECTING. Reference to the various divisions of the gold-prospecting scheme may be found in the Board's report for 1932. At the end of that year over seven hundred relief workers were prospecting in Central Otago, and some sensational finds were being made by subsidized men. These discoveries, besides attracting the interest of genuine investors who were ready to assist in a proper revival of the industry, unfortunately helped to create an artificial boom, resulting in intensive pegging of every available tract of likely gold-bearing country to the positive detriment of the Board's scheme. In general, subsidized men are unable to take the necessary steps to secure proper titles under the Mining Act because of the cost incurred. They were thus obliged to limit their operations to the small area which may legally be worked by virtue of a miner's right. The position arose that where subsidized men desired to transfer their operations to other areas, either on account of climatic conditions or lack of success on their small claims, no further suitable areas were available. This position was met promptly by the Board, which made representations to the Government, resulting in an amendment to the Mining Act being passed in the final stages of the 1932-33 session. Under this amendment the Board, with the consent of the Minister of Mines, may protect the interests of subsidized prospectors by having certain areas set aside for their use, and so prevent any other persons from obtaining mining privileges therein.

8