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Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 14th" July, 1923. Sir, — Re-ports of Inquiry Boards, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. I have the honour to return herewith the reports of the various Inquiry Boards, and attach a general summary of the same, as desired by you. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. Minister of Lands, Wellington.

Cieotjlae Letter from Minister of Lands to Soldier Settlers. Office of the Minister of Lands, Wellington, , 1922. Dear Sir, — Board of Inquiry — Soldier Settlements. You arc doubtless aware that the Government has decided to set up a Board of Inquiry to investigate and report generally upon the present position of soldier farms. If you so desire you may place your position before the said Board, and the enclosed form, which is submitted for your use, enables you to supply concisely particulars regarding your holding, stock, financial position, general prospects, &c. Should you desire to approach the Board, I would advise you to complete the form and post it as early as possible to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The itinerary of the Board will be arranged at a later date, and will be duly advertised. I might mention that the onus of supplying information regarding your farm to the Inquiry Board rests with you. Yours faithfully, D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands.

Circular Order or Reference to Inquiry Boards. Appointment to Board of Inquiry. ], , Minister of Lands, hereby appoint to be a Board of Inquiry for the Land District of to inspect the soldier settlements —namely, Crown and settlement land—held under lease from the Crown, and farms held under freehold or other title mortgaged to the Crown under the provisions of section 2 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1917, and in respect thereto to inquire into and report upon — (1.) Generally your opinion of soldier settlements in the said land district. (2.) The percentage of soldier farms in the said land district where it is considered the \ farming operations have been unsuccessful. (3.) The percentage of failures (permanent or temporary) due to each of the following causes : — (a.) Unsuitability of subdivision, sections being either too small or too large, or not in keeping with the configuration of the country: (b.) Excessive rent or high price paid for land : (c.) Inexperience of farmer, wrong methods of farming, or unsuitability of stock : (d.) Insufficient working-capital, or the undeveloped or neglected state of the land : (c.) High prices ruling for stock at the time of purchase, and subsequent slump, resulting in low prices for produce and stock : (/.) High cost of building, fencing-material, implements, seeds, and manure at the time of purchase or selection : (g.) Any other reason. (4.) The percentage of farms at present unprofitably occupied you consider would be successful under normal conditions and good management. (5.) What action should be taken in regard to — (a.) Those settlers who have proved themselves capable, industrious, and faithful in the observance of their obligations so far as their resources permitted : (b.) Those settlers who have failed to make the most of their opportunities. (6.) What form of assistance (if any), financial or otherwise, should be afforded soldier settlers by the Government. And you arc hereby authorized to conduct any inquiries under these presents at such times and places as you deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and place to place as you think fit, and to take evidence from such persons as you think capable of affording you information as to the matters aforesaid.