SETTLEMENT OF KAURI-GUM LANDS. Eegulations to give full effect to the settlement of Crown lands within gum districts, as. provided for in the Land Laws Amendment Act passed last session have been prepared and gazetted, and surveyors are now busily engaged in subdividing suitable blocks for settlement under'these provisions. This system of land-disposition should prove a great boon to the gum-digger, who will be able to acquire a fair holding to settle on with his family and thus to become a permanent LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. The operations under the Land for Settlements Act have been larger than eVI r S yCar ' an a f a ,° f 5 °' 819 acres havin g been at a value of £428,045. There is a good demand for grazing-lands, but for lands for mixed farming it is not so keen. LAND SETTLEMENT FINANCE ACT. Ten associations have been completed during the year with a membership of eighty-seven, and an area of 11,354 acres, valued at £185,899. Several others are m course of formation. It is proposed to amend the Act materially this session in order to facilitate settlement and to make better provision for finance. NATIVE-LAND SETTLEMENT. The settlement of Native land during the past year has been up to the average Since the coming into operation of the Act of 1909 the average of Native land alienated either by purchase or lease has been about 500 000 acres a year. A Bill extensively amending the 1909 Act in the direction'of giving increased facilities for settlement of the remaining surplus Native lands while duly conserving the interests of the Natives, will be introduced shortlv' The important question of rating Native lands is under consideration, and a Bill is in preparation which will make the collection of rates by the local bodies easier. COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. The appointment of a new Eesident Commissioner for the Cook Islands was necessary owing to the services of the late Eesident Commissioner being retained in New Zealand. Mr. H. W. Northcroft, late Stipendiary Magistrate, was offered and accepted the position. The care of the health of both Natives and Europeans is one of the chief considerations of the Administration, and when opportunity occurs one of the two Medical Officers stationed at Earotonga visits the outlying islands to attend to the health of the people. The hospital at Earotonga is under the special care of the Chief Medical Officer, and is one of the best-equipped in any of the Pacific islands Its value is recognized by the inhabitants, and everything is being done to encourage the Natives to continue to avail themselves of the benefits of the institution _ A duly qualified nurse has been appointed, and her services are greatly appreciated by both Natives and Europeans. As an indication of the manner in which the hospital has benefited the community of the Cook Islands, the following figures for the past twelve months are quoted : Visits of out-patients to hospital 3 700 • in-patients admitted, 75. Strict measures are being taken by the newly appointed Eesident Commissioner for the suppression of bush-beer drinking. A Bill validating the constitution of the Federal Council of the Cook Islands and containing other provisions for the improvement of general conditions in the islands will be submitted this session for the consideration of honourable members. INSURANCE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. In my last year's Statement mention was made of the fact that it had been the custom to rebuild out of loan-money buildings destroyed by fire, and that the Government had decided to discontinue this unsatisfactory procedure. A scheme was outlined for the establishment of a special sinking fund to meet fire-insurance

iv—B. 6.

8.—6.

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