C—9a

6

Attention is drawn to the rabbit pest and recommendations made regarding provision for wire netting. Ragwort is stated to be spreading to a large extent in some localities. Suggestions are made for filling the settlors' requirements more expeditiously, for closer supervision, and the employment of more Rangers. Consider recommendations of the Board should be given early effect to. The Board adds that after careful consideration it is of the opinion that fully 80 per cent, of Ihe men who have been interviewed and whose farms have been inspected will " make good " provided the necessary assistance and guidance are given. Extended Report. Fanning Lands. —-After having been over these farms we have come to the conclusion, whilst admitting that the Government had a very arduous and difficult task to provide sufficient land for these returned soldiers, that in many cases too high a price has been paid for the land, and in some cases land totally unsuitable for close settlement has been acquired, notably Orongo, Hikuai, and Tahaia, and parts of the Hauraki lands, where the deep peat prevails, should not have been opened up for close settlement for some years to come. Outside the special settlements, and coming to the lands acquired from private individuals during the time of inflated prices for butterfat and other farm-produce, we find that in many cases far too high prices have been given, and the Government has been misled by the parties who were employed as experts to settle the values. When the slump came in butterfat and other farm-produce, and the inflated prices for all farm requisites, on the top of the high prices the settlers paid for the land, it did not leave much hope lor them to pull through, unless they got very substantial deductions in the capital value of the land, and further financial assistance granted by the Government, if required. Also, owing to the slump, and the peak prices for all farm material, the Government advances to the settlers for purchase of stock and material were totally inadequate, only going about half-way to meet the wants of the settlers ; consequently, this has left the settlers short of means to carry on, and prevented them from carrying out many necessary improvements on their farms, and keeping their pastures in good order by top-dressing. In many cases, it will be seen by the individual reports, we have recommended more financial assistance to be granted, especially for better water-supply, manure for top-dressing, also grass-seed and fencing-wire. Each case has been taken on its merits, and no recommendation for assistance has been made unless wo considered the settler was worthy of it. Bush Lands. —Going outside of the farming lands and coming to the settlors on the bush lands, we find that they have come on to the land, generally speaking, at reasonable prices. Like the settlers on the farming-lands, they have been hard hit by the slump in cattle, which has left them short of means to carry out more improvements and getting more land into grass. Cattle are essential for bringing in the bush land, and rendering it fit to run sheep on successfully, and it is sheep-farming that this land is best suited for. The same applies to these bush settlers as to the farm-land settlers, as regards the advances for purchase of stock, &c. Many of the settlers have to resort to dairying as a means of getting bread-and-butter, as few of them have enough bush felled and grassed to carry a sufficient number of sheep to make a living and pay rent, interest, and rates ; but the dairying on most of the holdings is carried out under great difficulties, owing to the steep nature of the country, and the climbing about amongst logs makes it impossible to get any great returns from it. If the Government could see its way to grant these settlers further financial assistance! to fell, grass, and fence, and so help them over the present stress, we believe the most of these settlers would " make good " in time. On one settlement, the Ongarue Loan Settlement, the settlers are " on a good wicket," owing to having good commercial timber on their sections, and we understand that a syndicate intends putting in a sawmill in the near future, and the royalties coming to the settlors will put them into a good financial position, making the most of them independent of any Government assistance. As far as we have gone, the Ngaroma Settlement is the most back-lying, and a considerable distance from railway communication, and there is also great need for better telephone facilities and the linking-up of all the unmetalled portions of roads. Meantime portions of the road are out of the question for wheel traffic. Roads. —Generally speaking, there has been a lot of money spent in opening up the lands, but there is still a good deal to be done in giving some of the settlers a proper outlet. Glass of Settlers. —The great majority are a good class of settler. A good number of the " slackers " have been weeded out. There are still a few of the latter, but it is only a matter of time when they will have to go out and make room for better men. We consider it. would be good policy on the part of the Government to grant, to those settlers who are trying their best, financial assistance to help them over the stress, and so prevent them having to go out and get worse men in their places. We would like to say here that we think it would have been good business to have put these men through a stricter examination as regards their qualifications for going on the land, before letting them have a section. It would have saved the Government a lot of trouble and, in the end, been better for the men. Rabbits. —These pests are getting a strong hold on some of the country, and are difficult to cope with. Some of the settlers are likely to be ruined on this account, as grass, root crops, and any green feed put in is simply demolished by these pests. The worst situations are where the farms are bounded by Native or unoccupied Crown land. Doing their best, it is impossible for the settlers to keep the rabbits in check where so situated. Rabbit-proof wire netting is the only remedy, and it is