Gr.—7

8

Rates. Overvaluation in the past naturally resulted in heavier rates for the settlers. Though some relief may have been afforded by recent revaluations in some cases, the effect of the earlier assessments still obtains because of the large sums which have been borrowed on the security of both general rates and rates in special-rating areas. This could not have been done to the same extent but for the high valuations. We suggest that consideration should be given to the incidence of taxation with a view to relieving some of the burden placed on the land by rates and obtaining the revenue in other ways. With regard to rates on Native land, we understand that the question of exempting some of these land from payment of rates is being considered, and we make no comment upon it. Roads. Owing partly to subdivisions frequently made by the parties themselves without reference to the Native Land Court, and partly to early partitions, some occupants of Native land find themselves without any legal access to their holdings. Others with legal access have no formed road. The remedy appears to be one of finance only. If the persons affected will make efforts on their own behalf, we suggest that sympathetic consideration should be given to the question of helping them. In several districts the settlers have formed roads by means of special-rating areas. It appears to us that, generally speaking, King-country lands will not stand the cost of roading being placed upon them. We will refer again to the importance of good roads. Supervision. It is essential to the success of Maori farming in -the King-country that the work should be closely supervised, and instruction and advice given, by a man who is not only competent and experienced in regard to local conditions, but who is also sympathetic towards Natives and likely to get on well with them. Farming in the King-country has its own special difficulties and peculiarities, and experience has shown that methods of farming which have been successful in other parts of New Zealand have failed in the King-country. Constant manuring and proper stocking are essential, otherwise second growth and weeds rapidly take charge. There are large areas of ploughable land which can be profitably used under a good system of farming, but with considerable expenditure of money. These remarks apply to both European and Native farming. The Maori Land Board should have efficient rangers or supervisors to see. that its tenants carry out their obligations and that its vested lands are made the best use of. Two essentials to successful farming in the King-country are cheap fertilizers and efficient means of transport, which involves good roads. The effect of plentiful use of fertilizers and improved roads has been very noticeable in a number of the districts which we have visited. Fencing. A grievance of the settlers is the difficulty of collecting a proportion of the cost of boundary-fences and the maintenance of them where the adjoining land is unleased Native land. The remedy prescribed by law is that of a lien upon the land in terms of the Fencing Act, 1908. This is expensive to obtain and hard to collect. As a rule the amount is not recovered till the Native land is alienated. It seems doubtful whether any lien is obtainable for the cost of repairs. If not, we consider it should be. The position creates a hardship in many cases, but we are unable to see a practicable and effective remedy. Drainage. Our attention has been drawn to difficulties stated to exist in regard to raising money for this purpose. One thing that deters lenders is that the investment is not one in which trustees are authorized by statute to place trust funds. An instance is the position of the Drainage Board formed to straighten and clear the courses of the Mangapu and Mangaokewa Streams. These two streams formerly drained a large area of high-class land lying between Otorohanga and Te Kuiti.