C—9.

WERTLAND. (T. Cagney, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Soldier settlers throughout the district are generally working their respective farms on a sound and practical basis and, in all but a few cases, their inability to meet their charges must be attributed to the present low prices for butterfat, on which class of production the large majority depends. Those few engaged in mixed farming have completed the year's operations with a profit after meeting departmental charges. . CANTERBURY. (W. Stewart, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The prevailing conditions have affected our soldier settlers equally with other tenants, and the Land Board is granting similar relief. In common with other pastoralists, our soldiers, due to improved prices for sheep-products, have had a good year, and in many cases have been able to reduce arrears and otherwise consolidate their positions. Unfortunately, our soldiers on dairying propositions have faced not only the bad conditions from pasture growths, but also the severe drop in prices which is causing Dominion-wide anxiety at the moment. The soldiers on mixed farms have not enjoyed a particularly attractive year. OTAGO. (N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There is little to add to previous reports over the past four years, except that, to those who are fortunate in having flocks, the rise in wool and lambs has made a wonderful difference and given these settlers a much more optimistic outlook. To the less fortunate settlers, who have depended on dairying, the prospects are not bright, but the position is being looked into with the object of arranging more mixed farming methods, by reducing, if possible, the dairy herd and running a certain number of sheep. Difficulties, however, arise owing to the fact that the dairy-farmer is often on low-lying land which is too wet for sheep. Generally, these settlers are carrying on well and have passed through the difficult times with credit. SOUTHLAND. (B. C. McCabe, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Soldier settlers relying chiefly on dairying have experienced another trying year, and difficulty has been experienced in maintaining dairying propositions in good order. On the other hand, returns from sheep have been most encouraging, and definite progress has been made in most sheep accounts. Concessions have been granted in numerous cases to assist settlers over their difficulties, and it is evident that further concessions will be required so far as dairy-farmers are concerned.

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