C.—9.

WESTLAND. (T. Cagney, Commissioner of Grown Lands.) There is little variation to record in the conditions prevailing for the last two years. Soldier settlers engaged in sheep or mixed farming may be expected to meet their year's mortgage charges and show a surplus. The average price of butterfat for the season may be expected to reach 9d. per pound, which will not, however, provide sufficient revenue to enable the whole of the mortgage charges to be met in the cases of those settlers engaged solely on butterfat-production. A rise in butterfat of 2d. or 3d. per pound should place these settlers in a fairly sound position in so far as meeting yearly charges to this Department are concerned. CANTERBURY. (J. F. Quinn, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The majority of the soldier settlers have had a difficult year owing to the wet autumn and spring, which was followed by a prolonged drought during the summer, and to the low prices ruling, especially for wool and butterfat. OTAGO. (N". C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) There is little to report under this heading. Most settlers are doing their best under difficult circumstances, and there have been few cases of soldier settlers leaving their holdings. Owing to low rates of interest being available, a number of discharged soldiers holding town houses have taken advantage of this fact and discharged the table mortgage. SOUTHLAND. (B. C. McCabe, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The position of many discharged soldier settlers has shown a considerable improvement during the year, but those engaged principally in dairying are still in difficulties. Further concessions have been granted to dairy-farmers in cases where the farm income was not sufficient to meet full charges after payment of living and working expenses.

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