G.—3

9

Statement of Live-stock depastured on Stations at 30th June, 1929.

Summary. £ s. d. 41,938 sheep .. .. .. .. .. 28,427 1] 7 3,552 cattle .. .. .. .. .. 12,004 0 0 91 horses .. .. .. , . .. 920 0 0 45,581 .. .. .. .. .. .. £41,351 11 7 The Hon. the Minister of Native Affairs, Wellington. Sir, —- Wellington, 12th September, 1929. I have to report that I have completed the audit of the accounts of the East Coast Native Trust lands for the period Ist April, 1928, to 30th June, 1929, and have the following comments to make thereon Stock Accounts. —I have accepted without reservation the figures certified to by Mr. H. Syme, Farm Superintendent, and Mr. J. Harvey, Agent for the East Coast Commissioner at Gisborne, for the live-stock on hand at 30th June, 1929, on the various farms. Farm Accounts.—Paremata 3 Account, which had a debit balance at 31st March, 1928, of £20,450 19s. 9d., and Paremata Station Account, which had a credit balance at 31st March, 1928, of £12,774 45., have been amalgamated and now appear under the heading of " Iwinui Station, Paremata 3." Distribution.—With reference to the distributions which have been made to the Natives from several blocks during the current year, I have checked the amounts which have been paid direct from the East Coast Trust and have seen receipts for these. As in past years, in most instances, however, cheques were handed to the Native Department for distribution to the various Natives concerned. I have vouched the receipts from the Native Land Court of the total moneys paid to them, but have not checked the individual receipts of Natives. I have adopted the same procedure as in previous years, and have, with the consent of the East Coast Commissioner, arranged for the Government Auditor to check the individual payments. Subject to the foregoing remarks, 1 certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief the accounts are correct, and I attach hereto a set of same for the period under review. I have, &c., D. R. Menzies, Chartered Accountant (Aust.).

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (450 copies), £12 10s.

Authority: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 929.

Trice 6d.]

Sheep. ' Cattle. Horses. Totals. , Number, j Value. Number.J Value. Number. Value. Number. Value. ' I £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Accommodation 390 359 4 7 .. .. .. .. 390 359 4 7 paddocks Huia .. .. 3,064 1,889 12 0 51 194 0 0 .. .. 3,115 2,083 12 0 Iwirmi .. .. 3,184 2,119 15 0 296 1,005 0 0 8 160 0 0 3,488 3.284 15 0 Kopua .. .. 6,328 4,280 15 0 596 1,762 0 0 10 50 0 0 6,934 6,092 15 0 Mahurangi .. .. 4,414 3,019 15 0 714 2,389 10 0 5 100 0 0 5,133 5,509 5 0 Onenui .. .. 5,442 3,661 6 0 435 1,358 0 0 16 110 0 0 5,893 5,129 6 0 Patemaru .. .. 3,469 2,324 1 0 390 1,311 10 0 9 60 0 0 3,868 3,695 11 0 Papuni .. .. 3,904 2,547 18 0 335 1,176 10 0 8 55 0 0 4,247 3,779 8 0 Pakowhai .. .. 781 603 0 0 38 135 0 0 .. .. 819 738 0 0 Pohaturoa .. .. 4,351 2,923 11 0 219 765 10 0 10 80 0 0 4,580 3,769 1 0 Paroa .. .. 3,689 2,706 5 0 352 1,381 10 0 12 240 0 0 4,053 4,327 15 0 Waimaha .. .. 2,922 1,992 9 0 126 525 10 0 13 65 0 0 3,061 2,582 19 0 Totals .. .. 41,938 28,427 11 7 3,552 12,004 0 0 91 920 0 0 45,581 41,351 11 7