G—9

14. The departmental organization has continued to assist with the provision of school buildings in isolated rural areas, and work was completed at Te Kaha and Ruatoki, in the Bay of Plenty district, and at Tikitiki, Tokomaru Bay, Waiorongomai, Ruatoria, and Te Araroa, in the East Coast district. Work is proceeding with the erection of a Maori district high school at Manutahi, in the Taranaki District, and other facilities at Hiruharama and Ruatoria, on the East Coast. 15. Designs have been improved in keeping with the demands of modern housing conditions, and the plans now available for the selection of home-builders provide for better ventilation by the provision of more window space. 16. Further allocations of rental houses have been made to Maori tenants in State housing areas, and local tribal organizations have assisted with the selection of tenants. The Maori occupiers have proved to be good tenants, and the Department s Welfare Officers take a keen interest in them. 17. During the year the building organization has been strengthened, with good results in increased output. 18. The training of Maori youth still receives the special attention warranted, and individual training is given in carpentry, joinery, and plumbing under apprenticeship conditions in the building organization's works centres at Rotorua and Gisborne. 19. Progress in the departmental operations is dealt with more fully in the report attached, and I express appreciation of the co-operation and enthusiasm of the UnderSecretary, Mr. Ropiha, and the officers of the Department of Maori Affairs in the administration of the policy and directions of this and the previous Government in all matters affecting the well-being of the Maori people. Minister of Maori Affairs, Chairman of the Board of Maori Affairs.

LAND DEVELOPMENT 1. It is estimated that there are now some 4.000,000 acres of Maori land in New Zealand, of which 2,500,000 acres are considered to be capable of being reasonably successfully farmed. 2. Approximately 700,000 acres of this land is leased to Europeans, and a further 400,000 acres are controlled but not all entirely farmed by the East Coast Commission, the Maori Trustee, and the Maori Land Boards. As shown in Table 1, 657,237 acres are under the Maori land development schemes. 3. Of the remaining 750,000-odd acres of worth-while Maori land, substantial areas Jie idle. As existing leases fall in, this area will increase unless steps are taken for proper utilization. Proposals have been formulated to develop additional lands as speedily as possible. 4. The 657,237 acres of gazetted land is classified as follows : Schemes. Units. Gazetted 424,098 233,139 Not suitable for development .. .. 141,459 32,403 Under cultivation .. .. .. 4,817 4,189 Permanent grass .. .. 129,819 148,989 Awaiting and being developed .. .. 148,003 47,558

3