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Beattie.—The subdivision of a forfeited holding amongst three of the adjoining settlers will have a marked effect on the prosperity of this settlement. The settlers are all a good type, and have their holdings in a clean and satisfactory condition. Crownthorpe.—The settlers have, on the whole, had a fair season. A large number of cattle were lost during the winter through the drought conditions of last season ; but the losses of sheep were very light. The danthonia pasture has done well, and English grasses which have been down for several years and top-dressed are excellent. The root crops did exceptionally well till January, when warm rains followed by a dry spell, combined with the ravages of the diamond-back moth, practically destroyed all growth. The stock, however, bear every indication of being able to come through the winter successfully, and when larger areas have been brought under the plough and put down in English grasses, or disked and top-dressed, the success of the settlers will be assured. Tukura. —With one exception, the settlers on this settlement are engaged in dairying. The season has not been in their favour, as there has not been a sufficiency of rainfall for their requirements. The installation of a permanent water-supply should go far towards assuring the prosperity of the settlement. Te Kaihi. —Though the area of the individual subdivisions in this settlement is much below the average, ranging from 254 to 318 acres, yet by the exercise of strict economy, farming ability, and work these settlers have been the most satisfactory of all the soldier settlers in the district. The recent determinations of the Dominion Revaluation Board have been of an inestimable help to them. Glengarry. —This is a dairying settlement, and should, by reason of the Dominion Revaluation Board's generous determinations, be in a highly satisfactory position to-day ; but such, unfortunately, is not generally the case. The beneficent effects of top-dressing are most pronounced on several of the farms, and when once the settlers have established good s'helter belts and plantations and set themselves to the building-up of profitable herds—cows with a 250 lb. butterfat yield instead of the 165 lb. of to-day—not only will Glengarry be a most successful settlement, but the surrounding district be distinctly benefited. Watea and Maharakeke.—The settlers on these two settlements are now in a fairly satisfactory position. The holdings vary in area from 150 acres to 294 acres. Cropping to any great extent has been largely abandoned owing to the uncertainty of the seasons and exposure to high drying winds ; the most successful settlers find that a small herd of from eight to twelve cows, giving a sufficient return to clear household and living expenses, and running from 200 to 400 ewes pays best. Wilder. —All the settlers are now well established, have their capital values on low basis, all necessary improvements effected, and have worked into a suitable line of sheep for their class of country. Rissington and Parinui.—The settlers are engaged in sheep-farming, have reasonable-sized holdings at a moderate capital value, and are now fairly established. Taranaki. (W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) No new areas have been acquired during the current year. Vacant areas on Piu, Tawhiwhi, Kohura, Ratapiko, and Karu Settlements, totalling eight (area, 4,420 acres), have been reoffered, and of these three (area, 1,407 acres) have been selected. The older settlements continue to prosper, but there is still a necessity to provide concessions on some of the subdivisions of the more recent settlements. The concessions granted by the Dominion Revaluation Board, have enabled the great majority of the soldier settlers on settlement areas to hold their own; but a few of the settlers, whose financial positions will have to be reviewed under the Deteriorated Lands Act, 1925, are not at present making much headway. Huia, Piu, Karu, and Taitama Settlements will need the close attention of the Deteriorated Lands Committee. Croydon Settlement, a dairy proposition, requires constant attention for ragwort, and the settlers are doing their best on this area under handicaps. On the majority of the settlements where settlers have become established the importance of the personal element in a selector's ability to work his farm is often very apparent when adjoining farms of similar configuration are compared. There is no doubt that much deterioration and loss of revenue is due to some selectors' apathy and lack of determination in tackling their jobs. This, of course, does not apply to all, but it does to some, and it is to be hoped that when these men have benefited by concessions under the Deteriorated Lands Act they will do their part by applying themselves intelligently to their farming and to the preservation of their renewed pastures. Wellington. (H- W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Including estates purchased for the settlement of returned soldiers, the number of estates in this district is 130. The older settlements are now well established, although they are experiencing trying times in common with all other settlers. On the later-acquired estates the position is not, generally speaking, so bright. The majority of these estates were acquired for the repatriation of discharged soldiers. The work of the Dominion Revaluation Board in connection with these settlers is now practically ended, and the effects of concessions granted should be reflected shortly in the improved positions of the men. The Tupurupuru Estate, purchased from the estate of the late Sir Walter Buchanan, was thrown open for selection last May, and a large number of applications were received. The successful men appear well satisfied with their holdings.