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APPENDICES. APPENDIX I.—SETTLEMENT OF CKOWN LANDS. EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CROWN LANDS. NORTH AUCKLAND. (W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The past season will be long remembered on account of the extreme diversity of conditions experienced throughout the district. In the far North a very good season resulted from copious rams assisting good pasture-growth, and the output of fat lambs, fat bullocks, and butterfat all showed severe and continued flooding was experienced, causing actual damage to fences silting of pastures, and loss of hay and ensilage crops. Similar floods, but of less severity, were experienced south of Whangarei, and satisfactory rainfall conditions were experienced as tar south as Helensville. The southern portion of the land district between Helensville and Mercer was sub]ected to severe drought-conditions during the spring and summer. Farmers were unable in many cases to save their crops, and even where this was done it became necessary to feed out during the summer. Root crops suffered not only from lack of rains, but also to a minor extent from the white butterfly. Butterfat-prices continue at a very low level, but adjustments and concessions are being m &de not only by the Department, but also through the machinery of the Mortgagors and Tenants Relief Act " Farmers who are involved with private creditors find more protection available under the latter legislation than by merely securing relief from rent and interest charges. _ . , Wool values declined to a disappointing extent, although a much higher level was maintained than was experienced during the worst years of the slump. Sheep prices are at an extremely high level not justified by wool values, but doubtless due to the satisfactory prices realized for fat lambs. Dairy cattle values remain low and quality stock do not command the premium expected. A noticeable move is the increased value of Shorthorns, due to the possibilities of the chilled-beef trade. Pig husbandry has shown a remarkable increase and has been a profitable side-line, particularly where farmers are possessed of breeding sows. The majority of dairy-farmers are making the best possible use of this opportunity and it is hoped that oversea restrictions will not curtail this development, as it has been of material advantage to a number of relatively small-production farmers. The difficulty experienced by farmers on low-fertility land in providing finance to maintain a programme of top-dressing is again in evidence. Although a certain quantity is invariably purchased, financial limits, due to low prices, prevent a proper application, and the situation is kept under review where Crown advances are involved in pasture establishment. Potato-growers experienced a difficult year owing to drought-conditions in the localities concerned. Generally, it is considered settlers are in a slightly better position than last year, due to the high prices for sheep, the satisfactory prices for pigs, lambs, and store cattle and calves from breeds suitable for export. Butter and wool have been disappointing. Settlers are making a genuine attempt to meet obligations, and the policy of the Department of giving concessions where necessary is fully appreciated by tenants and mortgagors. AUCKLAND. (K. M. G-kaham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The climatic conditions throughout the year have been notable for the intensely dry period which prevailed over the middle portion of the dairying season, beginning in November and lasting right through into February. Many localities in the Waikato district experienced the drought to an alarming extent. Everywhere the pastures presented a burnt-up appearance and butterfat-production fell ra P l( Water-supplies for stock in many cases failed completely, and recourse to the installation of new supplies by boring unfortunately necessitated further capital expenditure just at a time when the low prices prevailing "for butterfat made it essential to reduce overhead costs to the lowest possible minimum. . , Hay and ensilage had to be fed out to stock m many cases and, but for the copious rams which have since fallen, the outlook for the coming winter would have been full of anxiety. Grass, peat, and scrub fires were prevalent and, in several large peat areas, special labour gangs had to be organized to fight the fires and keep them from spreading to other farms. With the breaking of the drought these fires are now subdued and settlers affected are being assisted, where possible, to re-fence and re-grass damaged areas, and, on the drought-stricken areas generally, there has been a wonderful recovery and re-growth of grass due to the autumn rains and mild temperature prevailing which, it is hoped, will to an appreciable extent offset the fall in production during the midsummer period.

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