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APPENDIX.

SETTLEMENT OF CROWN LANDS. EXTRACTS PROM REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. NORTH AUCKLAND. (L. J. Poff, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) In reviewing the past year it has to be noted that the winter was an extremely hard one for stock, and losses by death were heavy. The dry autumn, followed by a cold winter, caused an acute shortage of feed, the position being accentuated by a general failure on the part of farmers to provide requisite hay reserves. Under these circumstances many farms were overstocked, with the result that dairy cows coming into profit were in poor condition. The spring growth was slow in coming away, dry weather prevailing from early in November until late in December, causing pastures to dry up, with a consequent fall in butterfat production. With good rainfall and warm conditions early in the present year of 1940 considerable improvement in grass-growth and butterfat production took place, and it is now considered that the present season will show a total production'equal to and perhaps in excess of the previous season. The pricelevels for all classes of farm stock have been fairly well maintained at an economic basis. No large blocks of Crown land have been opened during the year. Certain suitable large areas require a satisfactory and complete drainage scheme to be developed before they can be offered for settlement. Very little change is to be recorded in the position of fruit and poultry farmers. Compared with the previous year, price-levels for both classes of produce have been favourable to the grower. The main feature of development during the year has been the concentration of work on old pastures and clearings rather than the development of new country. Stumping, logging, fencing, clearing rushes, drainage, and increased top-dressing programmes have been carried out in many cases assisted under the Government 4b Scheme. It is anticipated that by reason of this work a large increase in production will result.

AUCKLAND. (K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Despite a hard summer and slow recovery of pastures in the autumn stock came through the winter fairly well, and the season on the whole has been a highly productive one. Frequent rains encouraged a continuous growth of pasture in most parts of the district, enabling ample supplies of ensilage and hay to be harvested. Turnip crops have generally been a success where root and other crops had in the previous year been a failure on account of the dry spell of weather during the growing-stage. Prices for farm produce have been good, and in general it can again be reported that Crown tenants are in a satisfactory position and able to meet their obligations to the Department.

GISBORNE. (H. L. Primrose, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Climatic conditions during the year just ended have been generally very favourable and helped to overcome, to a certain extent, the difficulties facing the dairy-farmers on the flats as a result of shortage of feed due to the very dry summer of the previous year. Unfortunately, however, the position in respect to the hill-country farmers was not relieved to the same extent, with the result that the death-rate amongst the run cattle was very great. The winter was very mild, with an early spring, followed by intermittent rains during the early summer months, consequently the dairying returns showed an increase of about 10 per cent, on the past year's figures. Unfortunately for the orchardists, a very severe hailstorm was experienced late in December, resulting in the destruction, in some cases, of the entire crops. Bach year an increasing area is being treated with manures as farmers recognize more and more the value of top-dressing. It is being realized that, if pastures are to be maintained and deterioration arrested, especially on hill country, it is essential that top-dressing be resorted to. Prices for wool and meat are generally regarded as satisfactory, whilst the returns from store stock and surplus sheep are considerably higher than the previous season. Altogether, the season can rightly be regarded as a very favourable one for the farming community generally, and it is gratifying to note that the satisfactory returns received have been reflected in the rental payments.

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