G.—9.

Pbivate Dealings in Native Land. The areas of Native land disposed of by private dealings are as follows :— Number. Area. a. R. p. Sales.. .. .. .. .. ..196 20,480 118-79 Leases .. .. ..276 71,051 2 39-27 The areas disposed of last year were —Sold, 22,674 acres 3 roods 1-77 perches ; leased, 34,894 acres 1 rood 18-87 perches. Crown Purchases of Native Land. Native land purchased by the Crown amounted to 4,932 acres. Since 1910, 1,548,404 acres of Native land have been acquired through the Board of Native Affairs, which has taken the place of the Native Land Purchase Board. The estimated area of Native land still owned by Maoris in the North Island is as follows : — Acres. Acres. Estimated as at 31st March, 1935 .. .. .. .. 3,828,311 Sales to Crown .. .. .. .. .. 910 Sales to individuals .. .. .. .. .. 19,171 20,081 3,808,230 General. During the year under review the various consolidation, schemes have been pushed forward, but, as indicated last year, the progress of this important branch of the Department's activities has been hampered by the lack of trained staff. Special attention has been given to the question of the improvement of the living-conditions of the Maoris, and to this end the Native Housing Act was passed last year. The regulations enabling the Act to be put into operation have been drafted and are at present under consideration by the Government. However, some progress has already been made towards advancing this important phase of the Department's work, and much thought has been given to the most suitable class of house. Various types of dwellings are being considered, including iron and pise construction, and arrangements have already been made with the Public Works Department to erect experimental buildings of these materials. Officers of the Health Department are co-operating in this matter. The Unemployment funds provided by the Labour Department afforded employment relief to approximately 3,300 individuals through this Department during the year, the total sum paid out being £119,991 14s. 4d. The supervision of this branch of the work is carried out by the Department's field officers. The Native Land Development operations of the Department are dealt with in a separate report, and it is unnecessary therefore to make any observations regarding them in this report. The Raukawa Meeting house at Otaki was opened in the presence of the Right Hon. the Native Minister on 14th March. The erection of this building is yet another step by the Maori people towards the fostering of their ancient customs and the preservation of Maori arts and crafts. Dealings in Native lands during the year show an increase in the number of transactions recorded, there being a substantial increase in the area alienated by way of lease but a decrease in the area sold. Crown purchases of Native lands were 4,932 acres, of which the largest area was in the Hokonui district in Southland. Mr. 0. N. Campbell was appointed Under-Secretary and Native Trustee on the Ist August, 1935, having acted in that capacity since the Ist May. Mr. J. H. Robertson, Official Assignee, Christchurch, was appointed Registrar of the Tokerau and Waikato-Maniapoto District Native Land Courts and Maori Land Boards, Auckland, on the 23rd February, 1936, vice Mr. E. P. Earle, retired on superannuation. No further additions were made to the list of Native Interpreters during the year. Tables are appended giving the work of the Native Land Courts and Maori Land Boards and Native Land Purchase operations for the year ended 31st March, 1936.

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