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strenuous campaign by the Lands Department, rabbits have not been eliminated—nor have they yet been reduced to the stage at which it could be said that control was gained. Until control of rabbits is gained in any high country we are of the opinion that no worth-while progress is possible. 10. SOUTH WESTLAND We were impressed by the very large area of land which lies awaiting development in South Westland. The availability of land for the sheep industry was one of the principal matters referred to us, and the beef-cattle industry is a portion of the sheep industry. There is room for tremendous development of cattle in South Westland, and no doubt for a large number of sheep in association with the cattle-stocking policy. We are of the opinion that the Lands Department should make a thorough investigation of the position in South Westland, with a view to adopting a progressive long-term land-development plan for the area. It is recognized that at the moment materials and labour are in short supply, and the Department is not in a position to undertake any immediate land-development there. Nevertheless, we think that the whole area should be thoroughly investigated and plans drawn up in order that a major land-development scheme can be pursued as soon as conditions are suitable. 11. TRAINING MEN FOR HIGH COUNTRY Evidence was presented to us in the South Island on the subject of training men for high country. It is admitted that men to work high country must have a specialized knowledge, and there is great difficulty in getting men with this degree of skill and experience. The ideas suggested to us were that a suitable property should be taken over and run as a training farm to train men as musterers and shepherds for the high country. We have given the matter full consideration, but our considered opinion is that experience is much better gained under good practical station management. 12. MOUNT COOK RESERVE While in the Mackenzie country our attention was drawn to grazingrights on the Mount Cook Reserve. Naturally the area of land at Blount Cook, which is the principal habitat of mountain flora, such as the famous ranunculii and celmisite, should be reserved and must not be grazed, as that would result in the destruction of the flora. A curious anomaly has arisen, however, in that one ridge of Mount Wakefield, which is quite densely clothed with mountain flora, not being in the reserve, is let on a grazing lease. A large area of flat country in front of the Hermitage, and extending down to the Tasman River, which has little mountain flora and which is continuous brown-top, grassland where grazing is most essential to control fire-risk, is shut up as a reserve and not open to grazing. Obviously an anomaly exists, and, in our opinion, the two areas should be transposed —that is to say, the area with the flora reserved and the area of brown-top grassland made available to grazing by the neighbouring stations. 13. LAKE WAKATIPU TRANSPORT Evidence was presented to us at the head of Lake Wakatipu of the difficulties which beset settlers in the area in regard to transport on the lake which is by State-owned steamer service. It was pointed out to us that a tourist travelling the whole distance from Queenstown to the head of the lake and back to Queenstown, a total distance of nearly 60 miles, paid less