0.—9

Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. DISCHARGED SOLDIERS SETTLEMENT. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1923.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 14 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915.

CONTENTS.

Gendbal Report : — Page Lands proclaimed .. .. .. ~1 Regulations .. .. .. .. .. 2 Financial He view .. .. .. ..2 Appendix :— Reports of Commissioners of Crown Lands .. 7 Table I.—Lands proclaimed for Settlement during Year .. .. .. .. ..13

Appendix— continued. Page Table 2. —Applications received and Land allotted 14 Table 3.—Total Lands acquired by Discharged Soldiers .. .. .. .. 15 Statement of Advances authorized .. 15 Statement of Mortgage Transactions .. 16 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account— Transactions for Year .. .. 18 Balance-sheet .. .. .. 19

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, sth June, 1923. In accordance with the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, I have the honour to submit herewith the report of the operations under the Act for the year ended 31st March, 1923. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands.

EEPOET.

Lands proclaimed. It will be noticed that during the year ended 31st March, 1923, there has been a considerable reduction in the area proclaimed for settlement under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. In two districts only have any considerable areas been proclaimed. In the North Auckland District 5,730 acres were set apart, comprising principally eight sections in the Koheroa Parish, totalling 2,204 acres, and eight sections in the Pekapekarau Block, containing 2,675 acres. In the Hawke's Bay Land District a total area of 20,819 acres was set apart, comprising principally five sections in the Waikopiro Block, containing 1,788 acres, and seven sections in the Tahora Block, containing 18,603 acres.

I—C. 9.