C.— 1

Return of Appeals filed between Ist April, 1944, and 31st March, 1945

LAND-DEVELOPMENT AND SETTLEMENT OF DISCHARGED SERVICEMEN During the year ended 31st March, 1945, there has been no material improvement in the position which has existed during the war years, and so far as development blocks are concerned the continued rationing of fertilizer has made it essential to, again confine operations on most blocks to the farming and maintenance of previously developed areas. An active developmentprogramme must await a return to more normal conditions. Experience is showing that the maintenance of established grass on some areas is a difficult problem in the absence of a reasonable fertilizer ration. During the year there was a further move made to acquire land for the settlement of ex-servicemen, and a list of the areas acquired is shown later in this report. It is considered that, in the light of existing conditions, it is necessary to acquire for subdivision practically fully developed areas which are not dependent on liberal applications of fertilizer and which can be subdivided immediately and settled once roading and building programmes are completed. The greatest single factor which is delaying the subdivision and settlement of land by ex-servicemen is the difficulty in getting buildings erected. Some progress has, however, been made by the Department of Housing Construction, and it is estimated that approximately two hundred and fifty holdings will be made available shortly for disposal by ballot. Buildings will not be available in all oases, but it will be arranged that where no buildings are available the successful applicants will be given employment pending the erection of buildings. The areas to be offered will comprise lands specially purchased for ex-servicemen and also development blocks or portions of development blocks which are considered to be ready for immediate settlement. Under that portion of this report dealing with the Servicemen's Settlement and Land Sales Act, 1943, reference is made to the number of properties acquired under section 51 and Part II of that Act. These areas, following acquisition, become subject to the provisions of the Small Farms Act, 1932-33, and are disposed of immediately to ex-servicemen where they are ready for disposal or prepared for settlement where such action is necessary.

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Number I brought Allnwnrl A inn.-p-i Referred Total Numl ?er Registry forward Number Dis " ln °7 With- back to Number . rom f ai1 }- from lodged, missed. ™, drawn. Com- disposed m § to u be Previous Part - Ful1 - mittee . F of . dealt Year. with. Farm lands— Auckland .. .. 4 33 5 11 8 12 1 37 Gisborne Napier •• •• 3 .. .. .. 3 .. 3 '' New Plymouth .. .. 8 3 .. 2 3 .. 8 Wellington .. .. .. 3 .. 1 .. 1 1 3 Blenheim . . . . .. 2 . . .. . . 1 1 1 Nelson .. .. .. 1 .. .. , _ 1 j Hokitika Christchurch .. ., 1 2 1 .. .. 1 1 3 Dunedin .. .. .. 1 .. 1 j Invercargill .. .. .. 3 1 .. .. 2 3 Totals .. 5 56 10 12 10 25 3 60 1 Other lands— Auckland .. 8 63 33 12 6 18 1 70 1 Gisborne .. .. .. 1 .. .. ,, 1 j Napier .. .. .. 3 2 .. .. .. 1 3 '' New Plymouth Wellington .. .. 1 35 12 4 8 9 1 34 2 Blenheim Nelson .. .. .. 6 .. 1 3 .. 2 6 Hokitika Christchurch .. .. .. 18 4 2 .. 12 .. 18 Dunedin .. .... 2 1 .. 1 2 Invercargill .. .. .. 3 .. .. 1 2 3 Totals .. 9 131 52 19 18 43 5 137 3 Grand totals .. 14 187 62 31 28 68 8 197 4