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modern methods appeal to him as a means of ensuring his economic security. Other stock tallies, compared with last year's figures in parentheses, are: — Dairy cows .. .. /. .. 39,969 (40,093) Other dairy stock .. .. .. ..20,191 (21,117) Eun cattle .. .. .'. ..33.412 (30,935) Breeding-ewes .. .. .. .. 184,748(173,363) Other sheep (dry sheep) .. .. .. 114,294(101,783) Public moneys expended on all agricultural and pastoral schemes controlled by the Department amounted to £842,250, compared with £775,733 for the previous year, while the Loan Account assignment of the receipts from farming-operations amounted to £890,192 (last year, £663,386). As interest charges, £20,675 was paid to the Consolidated Fund. Cash collections under appropriate headings show a gratifying increase as compared with last year and reflect the advance in butterfat-production and the higher prices •obtained also for wool and stock sold. Increases are shown in production amounting to : in butterfat, £80,316, or 45 per cent. ; in sales of live-stock, £41,154, or 11 per •cent. ; and wool, £92,892, or 112 per cent. The finances of the seven Maori Land Boards and the Maori Trust Office are in a, sound position. Details are shown in Table Aof G.-9 (report of Department of Maori Affairs). The Board of Maori Affairs controls the investments of these bodies, which now total £1,610,232, made up of mortgages, £838,437 ; Government securities, £557,718 ; and advances to farming and primary production undertakings carried on by those bodies, £214,077. The total funds held for beneficiaries amount to £1,046,056. Ahuwhenua Cup This trophy, presented by the Bight Hon. Viscount Bledisloe as a challenge trophy for competition between the Maori settlers on Maori land-development schemes, was competed for by thirteen entrants this year. It was awarded to Mr. Tikirau Callaghan, a member of the Whanau-a-Apanui Tribe, whose farm is situated in the Raukokore area. Second prize went to Mr. Patuwahine Albert, also of the Bay of Plenty district. The sustained interest in the contest for this trophy is indicative in some measure of the way in which Maori settlers are undertaking the farming of their holdings, and the high standard attained in this direction augurs well for the future. Horticulture The field of horticulture is at present both an attractive and a lucrative one and Maoris have already shown more than an ordinary interest in this activity. The raising of many kinds of crops other than those for farming requirements has been undertaken, and kumaras, onions, potatoes, maize, tomatoes, melons, pumpkins, asparagus, and flowers have already been grown, harvested, and marketed successfully. The advice of the Department's Horticultural Officers is readily available to growers and demonstrations are arranged periodically. Practical assistance with marketing problems has been given from time to time. In the Gisborne and Hawke's Bay areas over half a million tomato-plants were grown for commercial purposes, the result in the Wairoa demonstration area alone being 130 tons of tomatoes. The nurseries continue to perform a useful service and provide trees for shelter, afforestation, erosion-prevention, and fruitgrowing. The advantages of planting domestic orchards is being emphasized and is being taken up enthusiastically. It is anticipated that the encouragement given will add materially in raising the standard of Maori home surroundings and in widening the somewhat limited diet of the people. The establishment of Maoris as small-holding farmers is progressing well and many are becoming aware of the possibilities that lie in the small-fruit and market-garden industries which are now available to them.

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