G.—9

1920. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE LAND COURTS AND OTHER MATTERS UNDER CONTROL OF NATIVE DEPARTMENT. REPORT OF UNDER-SECRETARY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1929.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Native Department, Ist July, 1929. The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Herewith is submitted a report upon the activities of the Department lor the period ended 31st March, 1929. R. N. Jones, Under-Secretary. Native Land Courts. The business transacted by the Native Land Court and the Native Appellate Court respectively is set out in Table A. The fees collected totalled £5,284, as against £5,893 during the last preceding period. Maori Land Boards. The areas of Native land disposed of by private dealings are as follows : — Number. p Sales .. .. .. .. .. ..334 17,811 1 29 Leases .. .. .. .. ..358 54,803 0 23 The area disposed of last year was : Sold, 55,408 acres 3 roods 32 perches ; leased, 91,746 acres 1 rood 31 perches. The Boards received in fees £2,647, commission £5,563, as against £2,269 and £4,723 respectively during the previous period, an increase of £1,218. Native land now remaining vested in Maori Land Boards is as follows :— A. k. p. Area vested as at 31st March, 1928 .. .. .. .. 672,778 1 23 Area sold or revested .. .. .. .. .. 5,072 3 24-7 667,705 1 38-3 The funds held or invested by Maori Land Boards increased by £30,187 7s. during the year under review. The following are the figures as at 31st March, 1929 : — £ s. d. Deposited with the Native Trustee .. .. .. .. 248,360 15 6 Government securities .. .. .. .. .. 29,540 0 0 Other securities .. .. .. .. .. .. 260,637 19 1 Cash balances .. .. .. .. .. 45,846 7 4 £584,385 1 11