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1929. NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. DISCHARGED SOLDIERS SETTLEMENT. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1929.

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

CONTENTS. Genebal Repotjt :— page Appendix—continued. Dominion Revaluation Board (Report of Chairman) 1 Tables—continued. paoe Financial Review .. .. .. ..6 Table 2. —Statement of Mortgage Transactions 14 Lands proclaimed .. .. .. 8 Discharged Soldiers Settlement Account— Applications received and Lands allotted .. 8 Transactions for Year .. .. 16 Balance-sheet .. .. .. 17 Appendix :— Land for Settlements Account (Discharged Reports of Commissioners of Crown Lands .. 9 Soldiers Settlement Account) Tables- Transactions for Year .. .. ' 19 Table I.—Total Lands acquired by Discharged Balance-sheet .. .. .. 19 Soldiers.. .. .. .. 13

i Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist July, 1929. 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, 1929. I have,- &c., J. B. Thompson, The Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary.

REPORT OF CHAIRMAN OF THE DOMINION REVALUATION BOARD. THE DISCHARGED SOLDIERS SETTLEMENT AMENDMENT ACTS, 1923 AND 1924. Revaluation or Soldier Settlers' Farms and Investigation of Current Account Advances. The work carried out by the Dominion Revaluation Board throughout the past year has consisted chiefly of a review of its previous determinations in those cases where it has been found that the relief formerly granted was insufficient to place the settlers concerned in a position to make a success of their holdings. The Board has proceeded on the lines outlined in the last annual report, and that its work could not be regarded as having been completed at the close of the previous year is evidenced by the fact that some 215 cases have since then been reviewed. With regard to the cases investigated during the year, it is considered that the concessions granted by the Board will be reflected in the improved position of the settlers and better condition of the properties concerned. In common with other farmers, discharged soldier settlers generally have shared in the benefits resulting from favourable conditions and a high standard of production, and the great majority are steadily gaining ground. Accounts are in a much better position, payments of rent and instalments are becoming more regular, and in numerous cases outstanding arrears are being satisfactorily reduced. There are, of course, a few cases where success is still doubtful, but this is only to be expected in any scheme involving the placing of several thousand settlers on the land.

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