G.—9.

The Maoris of the Ikaroa and South Island districts have shown a lively interest in the facilities afforded by the provisions of the Native housing legislation. Up to the 31st March, 1939, 465 applications had been received for loans either for the purpose of erecting new houses or reconditioning existing dwellings. At the same date 117 loans had been granted to applicants by the Board of Native Affairs, wlule a large number was still under investigation. The number of new houses erected is twenty-six, while eight have been purchased and eleven have been reconditioned. Many Maoris have availed themselves of the provisions of section 20 of the Native Housing Amendment Act, 1938, and elders and relatives have vested building sections in them for the purpose of providing sites for houses. The Maoris who have been provided with new dwellings have shown unmistakable appreciation of their improved living-accommodation. The Judge has taken every opportunity of impressing upon occupants the necessity for keeping their houses in good order both inside and" out, and householders are urged and encouraged to lay out flower-gardens and shrubberies of Native trees surrounding the new dwellings. It is sincerely to be hoped that this advice will take root and flourish in due course. The designs of some of the houses already erected are capable of some improvement, and changes are being made from time to time as experience dictates. One of the matters calling for most urgent and unremitting attention is that of providing the Maori people with some economic background whereby they may find a means of obtaining selfrespecting and self-supporting employment of some degree of security and permanency. The Judge and district officials are applying themselves assiduously to this task, and it is hoped that a fair measure of success will be attained in the near future. At the present time a number of suggestions are under consideration, and in due course recommendations will be made for the provision of the necessary financial assistance.

TABLE A.—NATIVE LAND COURT. (a) Return of Business and Fees for the Year ended 31st March, 1939.

14

Totals. Waikato- Waia- Taira- a. m . South ~ 1937-38. 1938-39. riki. whiti. ' "Island. Native Land Court. Number of sittings .. 103 119 8 12 27 25 16 21 10 Number of cases notified .. 21,451 27,006 1,955 2,273 7,073 4,629 5,584 4,589 903 Number of cases for which 5,647 8,604 594 643 2,235 3,255 746 805 326 orders were made Number of cases dismissed.. 1,615 1,755 43 251 302 446 571 94 48 Number of cases adjourned 14,198 17,521 1,318 1,261 4,546 1,910 4,267 3,690 529 sine die Number of partitions made 400 471 14 49 180 180 20 24 4 Area affected (acres) .. 100,568 28,754 837 9,396 5,379 5,938 5,639 1,546 19 Number of investigations of title Area affected (acres) Number of succession orders 5,183 4,602 224 469 849 1,745 534 608 173 made Number of other orders made 3,979 6,787 356 125 1,768 4,022 192 174 150 Native Appellate Court. Number of sittings .. 6 10 .. 1 3 1 4 1 Number of cases notified .. 11 34 .. 2 9 1 19 3 Native Land Court decisions 3 2 .. .. 2.. varied Native Land Court decisions 1 affirmed Native Land Court decisions 2 16 .. .. 2 .. 14 referred back to Native Land Court Native Land Court decisions .. .. • • • • annulled Appeals dismissed or with- 2 7 .. .. o .. 2.. drawn Appeals adjourned sine die.. 2 6 .. .. .. •• 3 3 Applications under section 1 257/31 ordered Applications under section 257/31 dismissed Applications under section .. 1 • • • • • ■ • • 1 .. 257/31 adjourned sine die £ £ £ ££££££ Court and Board fees collected 6,002 5,748 141 931 1,317 1,476 |l,028 | 663 192