C.—s.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT, 1925 (REPORT ON THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 109 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1925.

The Land Purchase Controller to the Hon. the Minister op Lands. Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist August, 1936. Sir, — I have the honour to submit a report on land-purchase operations for the year ended 31st March, 1936. The only purchase of consequence during the year was a block of Native land situated in the Hokonui and Forest Hill Districts, Southland, and containing approximately 4,080 acres. The bulk of the land is in milled bush, and the proposed subdivision will provide from twelve to fourteen holdings suitable for dairying and mixed farming when developed. The area will be known as the Lora Settlement, and will be offered for selection after completion of survey and road access work. The Department has not attempted within the year to effect permanent settlement of the various properties which are in process of development before being offered for selection. On the Galatea Block development operations continue to be satisfactory. It is proposed to offer for selection early in 1937 a substantial portion of the grassed area on which the pasture is established and consolidated to a stage where subdivision into dairy-farms of suitable size may confidently be offered. Approximately 2,000 acres were cleared and cultivated during the year, about one-half of which was sown in permanent pasture. The results of the farming operations carried out by the Department on the block were highly satisfactory, good prices being obtained for wool and surplus stock. The stock on the property at 31st March, 1936, consisted of 19,564 sheep (including 8,739 breedingewes), 951 head of dairy cattle, and 4,292 run cattle. Share milking was continued during the year on ten farms and, as an illustration of the progress made thereon, it can be stated that the total butterfat production from July, 1935, to March of this year was 112,513 lb., while the output in respect of a similar period twelve months previous—viz., July, 1934, to March, 1935 —was 81,672 lb. Development operations proceeded steadily on the Kakariki Block, a fairly large area of scrub country having been cleared, grassed, and suitably subdivided. The Department's farming operations on the property were satisfactory, the revenue yielding a small profit after provision of interest on the total capital moneys employed] The stock at 31st March, 1936, comprised approximately 12,550 sheep and 1,450 head of cattle. Valuable experiments on areas reputed to be bush-sick have been conducted on the Tapuwae Block, the management having succeeded in demonstrating that with the application of limonite specifics it is now possible to carry sheep right through the season and bring lambs to profit. The stock on the property at 31st March, 1936, was 5,128 sheep (approximately 3,000 being breeding-ewes), and about 800 head of cattle. The results of farming by the Department were very satisfactory, a fair profit being returned after allowing interest on the total capital expenditure. Tables are attached giving particulars of the properties considered and land acquired during the year, together with statement of receipts and payments, revenue account, and balance-sheet, duly certified by the Controller and Auditor-General. I have, &c., W. Robertson, The Hon. Minister of Lands. Land Purchase Controller. I—C. 5.