H.—3o

6

(d.) Avonhead. —At Avonhead, near Christchurch, the Repatriation Department has undertaken an experiment from which good results are expected. The Government has purchased 300 acres of fertile land, half of which is. being used for settlement by discharged soldiers and half as an instructional farm. An officer of the Department of Agriculture acts as Superintendent, and other experts give courses in dairy-farming, pig-raising, poultry-farming, beekeeping, fruitgrowing, and general agriculture. Men may train here for large-scale farming on suitable sections in Canterbury or other provinces, and others have set themselves up solidly on the adjoining sections at Avonhead, mainly for the production of vegetables, honey, eggs, etc., for the neighbouring market. Suitable accommodation for trainees has been provided on the training portion of the farm. (c.) Motuihi. —A portion of the Island of Motuihi, near Auckland, is now being used for training discharged soldiers in dairying, cropping, pigs, sheep, &c. The farm is under the management of an ollicer of the Agricultural Department, and experts in the various lines also give the men instruction by means of lectures. There are usually about twelve soldier trainees on the farm. (/.) W airarapa Training-farm. —Through the generosity of a number of settlers in the Wairarapa this up-to-date farm lias been established near Masterton for (he training of soldier farmers. It is well equipped, and all the latest methods are used for intensive production. The accommodation is complete in every respect, and the comfort of the trainees is well attended to. There are at present twenty-six men receiving instruction there. (g.) Tauherenikau Training-farm. —The needs of the tubercular men have received the earnest attention of the Department for some time past, and Tauherenikau Farm, with an area of over 50(1 acres, was established to provide training facilities for these men in the lighter branches of farming. Comfortable quarters have been erected for the trainees, and extensive improvements and additions are now in progress. Training is given by competent instructors in marketgardening, apiary work, poultry-keeping, and pig-breeding, mainly. (7.) Afforestation. A number of discharged soldiers are working on the State plantations at Waireka, Tapanui, Ranfurly, and Hanmer under the Forestry Department. Hutments have been erected for the accommodation of the men at both these camps, and the equipment necessary —blankets, utensils, &c. —is provided by the Repatriation Department. The work is of a fairly light nature, and especially suited to discharged soldiers desiring outdoor employment. At the present time there are fifty-three men employed in this work. (8.) Training of Soldiers' Widows. Training facilities in useful occupations for soldiers' widows without children, and sustenance whilst undergoing training at such rate as will bring their income, inclusive of pension, up to £1 15s. per week, may be afforded by the Department. Summary of. Training Section. The total number of men for whom training and tuition has been arranged to date under the various schemes briefly outlined above is 5,661, and of this number 3,227 are still in training. Of the 1,445 who have finished their (raining, the majority have completed the same satisfactorily and have been placed in suitable positions. A. few, however, were unfortunately compelled to give up on account of ill health, while in a small number of cases the training had to be discontinued owing to the misconduct of the trainee. The following table show's the number of men being trained at the 20th June, 1920, in the various groups of industry in each of the four districts : —

Auckland. Welti) igton. Cantei 'bury. Oti tgo. Tot ;al. Group. B , , SubSchools, : ... , . ' , sidizcd *"■ ! Workers. Schools. &c. Sub- ,, , , ... , I Schools, sidizod „ Workers.; Subsidized Workers. Schools, &c. Subsidized Workers. Schools, &c. -a . u 02 Wood . . Leather . . Metal .. Clothing Commercial Farming.. Professional Other groups 17 37 37 47 32 9 262 71 193 24 28 55 30 94 29 81 76 59 6 175 31 176 7 30 110 27 39 595 11 87 2 136 21 14 5 276 128 42 157 23 57 25 4 55 1 8 37 9J 125 36 169 18 29 17 4 6 1 36 190 2 345 144 236 24 690 180 697 72 144 207 65 194 131 4 Totals 179 759 251 491 272 404 978 2,249