C.—l

Return of Appeals to 31st March, 1944

LAND-DEVELOPMENT Small Farms Act, 1932-33, and Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929 General During the year ended 31st March, 1944, the conditions which have obtained during the war years have not improved, and the Land Settlement Board has been obliged to confine its main operations to the farming and maintenance of the blocks under its control. The continued shortage of labour and materials has made it impossible to recommence active development operations. During the year further areas were acquired under the Small Farms Act, 1932-33, for subdivision and settlement of discharged servicemen. Some of these blocks are more or less fully developed, and steps are being taken to open certain areas for selection during the present year. One area of approximately 1,200 acres in the Marlborough District was taken compulsorily in terms of Part II of the Servicemen's Settlement and Land Sales Act, 1943. Prior to the 31st March no areas had actually been taken in terms of section 51 of the same Act, but activity in this connection is now evident. The erection of dwellings and other farm buildings is essential before areas can be made available for the settlement of discharged servicemen, and arrangements are being made with the Housing Construction Department to erect buildings on those areas which can be opened for settlement at the present time. A start has been made on the Matanuku Block, where a gang of military defaulters is engaged on erecting buildings. It is hoped a considerable move forward will be made during the present year in the erection of buildings hand in hand with the proposals of Government to institute a vigorous rural housing programme. In addition to the blocks which have already been purchased for discharged servicemen, a review of the areas which have previously been developed for settlement is being made with a view to ascertaining what areas can be made available this year for discharged servicemen. On some of the areas which will be recommended for settlement during the coming year, it is very obvious that the existing allocation of manure will be insufficient for successful farming by the ex-service-men, and it is considered that special allocations should be made to these men who have been fighting so ably overseas. The Land Settlement Board is collaborating very closely with the Rehabilitation Board on all matters affecting the settlement of discharged servicemen. During the year the Land Settlement Board undertook farming operations on two large defence areas. These areas had been acquired for defence purposes, but were not all required for immediate use, and it was considered advisable to keep the areas in production. The following comments are made in respect of operations in the respective districts :— Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland.—Fifteen blocks, containing 74,350 acres approximately, are under development in this district. During the year the majority of the occupiers on the Hoe-o-Tainui Block were granted leases and the block was placed under the control of the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

4

Heard, ,, „i- „„, q Number District Number Dis " AU ° wed A11 ° wed With- hack to Number .^dalodged. missed. p drawn. Corn- disposed ln S ° 0 mittee. of. tv given. with. Farm land— Auckland .. .. 6 1 .. .. .. 1 .. 2 4 Gisborne Napier New Plymouth .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Wellington .. .. 2 .. .. .. .. 2 .. 2 Blenheim .. .. Nelson Hokitika .. .. " .. Ohristchurch .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Dunedin .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. .. 1 I Invercargill Totals.. .. 11 1 .. .. .. 4 1 6 5 Other land — Auckland .. .. 11 1 1 .. .. 1 .. 3 8 Gisborne Napier New Plymouth Wellington .. .. 18 2 1 2 .. 12 .. 17 1 Blenheim Nelson .. ,. 1 .. .. 1 .. .. .. 1 Hokitika .. .. .. .. .. ,. Ohristchurch Dunedin .. .. 3 1 1 1 .. .. .. 3 Invercargill Totals 33 4 3 4 .. 13 .. 24 9 Grand totals .. 44 5 3 4 | 17 1 30 14