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One valuable estate in the Southbridge district, which has been acquired for discharged soldiers and surveyed ready for allotment, is being held back temporarily pending the possibility of an arrangement being made with the Canterbury Patriotic Association to establish a training-depot for those soldiers who are desirous of going on the land but who are lacking in farming experience. The estate is well adapted for this purpose, containing as it does various qualities of soil, wdiere dairying, agricultural, and other experience could be gained. The farmhouse, outbuildings, &c, are ample and convenient, and the property is most convenientlysituated to the railway. On the 31st March the number of applicants for financial aid was twenty-nine, arrd the amount authorized £11,727. The actual amount advanced at that date was £5,169 6s. 6d. A greatly increased amount of work and responsibility has fallen on the staff in connection with the applications aird granting of financial assistance to the soldier tenants. Where the advances are made for permanent improvements, fencing, buildings, draining, &c, the risk and responsibility are light as compared with the cases where the security has to be taken over stock and crops, but all possible care is taken to safeguard the State's security. It is early yet to say definitely whether the soldier settlements in this district will be either unqualified successes or failures, but I will venture the opinion that by far the greater percentage of them will come out successfully. The men themselves, with just one or two doubtful cases, are of the right stamp. Most of them have a little capital, and have had farming experience. A certain percentage have not sought the financial aid of the State, but are being financed by their relatives or friends. All the soldier settlers are more or less indebted to the Patriotic Associations, which have given monetary assistance on the most liberal and generous terms, besides affording the means for obtaining expert advice. I would here like to place on record this office's appreciation of the sympathetic and practical assistance so freely given by the Canterbury Patriotic Association in helping returned soldiers to make a success of their selections. The thanks of the office are also due to the Returned Soldiers' Association for the helpful manner in which it has replied to the numerous inquiries made from time to time regarding the character and fitness of many of the applicants. This information has been most valuable to the Board when doubtful cases were under consideration. To show the possibilities in some of the settlements I might state that in one considerable area of sheep-country a number of tho soldiers have intimated their intention of refunding the advances made by the Patriotic Associatiorr, the outcome of their first year's work, thanks to a most favourable season, having beerr successful beyond their expectatiorrs. Another case is that of an agricultural farm taken up by a returned Gallipoli man with practically iro farming experience. This man had the sense to be guided and advised by practical men of the district. His efforts were rewarded by a fine crop of wheat now safely harvested. An intimation has been received that he hopes to repay the major part of the Government advance, make good his rent, and start the coming year on his own account. The past favourable season was the main factor irr these cases, but these examples, however, go to show that there are decided possibilities in the soldier settlements, where the individual is possessed of energy, enterprise, and common-sense. Solid progress has beerr made in the laying-down of permanent improvements in the Lees Valley Settlement. At the close of the year the settlers were depasturing between them 10,044 sheep, 292 cattle, and 26 horses. The land was only allotted on the Ist March, 1917, so the progress made has been rapid and satisfactory. Otago. (Robert T. Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Up to the end of the year twenty-seven discharged soldiers have been settled on an area of 31,342 acres, and the majority of them are making a success of their holdings. So far there has not beeir much demand for land by returned soldiers, aird the preference is for sheep-country, very few being desirous of going in for dairying or mixed farming. Owing to the high prices for all materials and stock, the advances made to the soldiers do not go very far. Southland. (H. D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There are now twenty-six soldiers' holdings in this district, thirteen of which were selected during the year, the aggregate area held being 8,100 acres. Five are on settlement land which was purchased by the Crown, and this number includes one whose holding was purchased at his own request under section 3of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1917. In nearly every instance these soldier farmers are shaping particularly well, and in the majority of cases ultimate success should crown their efforts. Every consideration consistent with reason is extended to these settlers, and on the whole they appreciate the advantages extended to them. It is very satisfactory to be able to submit this favourable report, in connection with these men, who are deserving of the best the country can give them. Forty-two tenants have been granted remissions of rent, either wholly or partially, during their absence on active service. Others whose number it is impossible to state (as in many cases the Department has not been advised) have made suitable arrangements for their holdings to be worked and the rent paid while they are serving their country. Some have made the supreme sacrifice. The supervision of soldier purchases, inspection of improvements, etc., creates a large and growing demand on the time of the officers and Rangers. I estimate that the work in connection with one lease under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act is equivalent to five times that of an ordinary Crown tenant.

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