a—9a

46

(15.) I think that, in estimating the provision required to give effect to the recommendations, it would be advisable to allow a contingency margin of, say, £25,000 to provide for cases where, by virtue of circumstances not at present apparent, further concessions may become necessary. 11. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. Hawke's Bay. 18th June, 1923. In compliance with yours of the 23rd April, I have to advise that a special meeting of the Land Board, at which the Inquiry Board was present with its report, was held on Tuesday the 12th instant. I may add that the report was only completed on the night of Monday, the 11th instant, so that no time was lost. The Land Board devoted the whole of Tuesday and Wednesday to a very analytical discussion of the report and of the evidence which lead to its findings, and I am very glad indeed to say that it was unanimously adopted. The report, which was in manuscript, was taken away by the Chairman for typing, was personally returned by him to me on the Saturday morning, and is enclosed herewith. The Inquiry Board went most thoroughly into every case, and the forms returned to the office bear valuable information in the shape of notes and opinions written upon them, together with condensed remarks on each settlement. There is only one case of overvaluation suggested —viz., that of Gilbert's, in Glengarry—and even after that was dissected the Inquiry Board was almost inclined to cut it out. There are three cases only of unsuitability of subdivision —viz., White's, Agnew's, and Treseder's in Crownthorpe. It is freely admitted that these sections are poor, but even at that the Inquiry Board did not think the rents too high. It was a poor patch to deal with, and to have otherwise subdivided the settlement would have spoilt the general subdivision. At the conference the Inquiry Board was very decided that all outstanding interests on current accounts should be postponed as if they were mortgage instalments, and the Board quite agreed with this view on the grounds of equality for all. It is not so clearly stated in the report, but there was no doubt about the expressed intention, and attention has therefore been particularly drawn to it and estimates prepared in accordance. There is another matter viz., rates- -which the Land Board felt very strongly about, and, although the Inquiry Board thoroughly agreed with the Land Board's suggestions, it did not think that rates came within the scope of the inquiry. I have therefore to advise that in recommending the adoption of the report the Land Board further strongly recommends that " existing liabilities to local authorities be discharged by the Crown, and the amount so disbursed be charged against the lands affected, and be recoverable, if necessary, in the manner suggested with regard to rental postponements." Personally, I am much relieved at the Inquiry Board's recommendations. The possibility of individual treatment has been a nightmare for years. I enclose report and estimates. W. F. Marsh, Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. Estimates. Remission of one year's rent: Hawke's Bay, £51,482 15s. lOd. ; Gisborne, £21,507 15s. 6d. : total, £72,990 lis. 4d. Postponement of two years' rents until end of lease, if necessary : Hawke's Bay, £102,965 lis. Bd.; Gisborne, £43,015 lis. : total, £145,981 2s. Bd. Remission of outstanding interests on current accounts at 31st March, 1923 : Hawke's Bay, £3,150 14s. 7d. ; Gisborne, £4.1.7 10s. 6d. : total, £3,568 ss. Id. Postponement of mortgage instalments for three years : Hawke's Bay, £1.7,060 12s. 6d ; Gisborne, £4,566 : total, £2.1,626 12s. 6d. In cases where a second mortgagee sells postponements will be paid. (Proposed law.) Additional advances in terms of recommendation contained in paragraph (d), page 16, of the Inquiry Board's report: Hawke's Bay, £11,000 ; Gisborne, £9,000 : total, £20,000. I cannot give amount of rates outstanding, but the Hawke's Bay figures are : Wairoa County, £1,020 ; Waipawa County, £1,424 ; Hawke's Bay County, £948 ; Waipukurau County, nil; Dannevirke County, £200; Woodville County, nil; Patangata County, not available. Taranaki. 23rd May, 1923.. I enclose herewith the written report of the Inquiry Board in connection with its recent work in this district. The Inquiry Board and the Land Board met and discussed this report on the 17th instant, also several typical cases, and a resolution of the Land Board in this direction is annexed.