C—lB

Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

LEVIN STATE FARM (INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ON, FOR 1896-97).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 13th day of October, 1897. Ordered, " That there he laid before this House a return showing the income and expenditure on, or in connection with, the State Earm at Levin for the year ending the 31st March, 1897." —(Mr. Massey.)

Department of Labour, Wellington, 15th December, 1897. Memorandum for the Eight Hon. the Peemiee. Explanation of Balance-sheet, State Farm. Although this return is only now being laid on the Table, on account of the late session, much of the expenditure accounted for therein is the result of action taken nearly two years ago. 1. It was the only outlet for labour existing in the whole of New Zealand for men for whom there were no openings on roads or railways, and many of whom were, through age, not fit to be sent to road or railway work. 2. The farm had been in great part felled and sown in grass; the grass was knee-deep, and had to be fed off or destroyed, so that it was absolutely necessary to procure stock. 3. The families that were living on the farm were housed in tiny huts of one or two rooms, the majority of them being erected by the men themselves; it was therefore absolutely necessary to have some decent houses built for them, as otherwise there would soon have been serious trouble about the condition in which the labourers were compelled to live on the State Farm. 4. The orders for erecting the new cottages were given before the Hon. Mr. Eeeves left for England, although they were paid out of this year's money. There was no money in hand at the time, and we had to wait until the next financial year. 5. The wages alone for the year exceeded the vote, but it was compulsory, if this was a labour farm, that money in wages should be spent. It was also necessary, if it was a farm at all, that money should be spent on stock, houses, well-digging, &c. 6. Towards the end of 1896 it was found absolutely impossible to utilise the Levin State Farm as a labour depot any longer, as work could not be found for the men to do. Ministers were therefore approached to provide another piece of land, which was found at Otaihape, near Marton. 7. It will be seen that, although the total expenditure for the year is £4,223, the receipts amount to £1,913 3s. 7d., making the actual cost to the country £2,317 16s. 9d., which is £817 more than the amount voted. J. Mackay, For the Secretary.