GL—lO.

Ohinepuhiawe. This is a small scheme of 96 acres near the township of Bulls, on which one unit is already settled, and on which it is proposed to establish a second Native farmer during the coming season. The present unit is a keen and energetic young settler, who is milking fourteen cows. Work undertaken on his section during the year included 39 chains fencing, clearing 18 acres gorse, ploughing 13 acres, and the erection of a cottage and milking-shed. The present pastures are in fair order, and will carry one beast to 2 acres. The land is flat and in close proximity to a dairy factory, and when fully stocked and developed can be made into a very good holding.

Analysis of Cash Receipts for Year 1935-36.

IKARGA AND SOUTH ISLAND MAORI LAND DISTRICTS. In both districts under the control of the Ikaroa and South Island District Maori Land Boards, development work has been proceeding satisfactorily. Of the schemes in Ikaroa district —Manawatu and Heretaunga—the former is in a flourishing condition, and the position of the latter, despite frequent floods experienced during the year, is particularly encouraging in view of the fact that the unit farmers give every indication of being able to liquidate their total indebtedness within a few seasons. The Matakarapa Block, in the Manawatu scheme, has presented some problems as a result of the frequent flooding of the Manawatu River, which caused drainage difficulties on the low-lying areas comprising the most fertile portion of the block. In the South Island the supervision of the three schemes is being effectively carried out under the control of officers of the Lands and Survey Department at Blenheim and Invercargill. During the year under review, providing for the Maori unemployed has presented one of the maj or problems, especially in the Ikaroa district. Owing to the local body authorities in the Manawatu being unable to find sufficient work of a useful nature for the registered unemployed Natives within their boundaries, an agreement was made whereby all Maoris in these localities were to be provided with work by this Department. This responsibility of absorbing the unemployed Maoris on contracts has occasioned difficulties peculiar to this district alone, in as much as there are no unalienated Native lands now available. Thus the contracts have had to be arranged on leased lands, and it has not been possible to evoke a personal interest in the farming activities such as is obtained on other schemes where the Maoris are developing their own lands. Indeed, in many instances preference to return to the Unemployment No. 5 Scheme has been shown. The problems experienced have not yet been satisfactorily solved, but every effort has been and will be made to evolve a scheme whereby the greatest amount of benefit may accrue to the district and at the same time be of the utmost advantage to the Maoris.

Particulars of the assistance rendered to the unemployed Maoris (apart from those employed on development schemes) are as follows : —

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Ranana. Ohinepuhiawe. Totals. £ £ £ Butterfat .. .. 1,077 19 1,096 Cattle .. .. .. .. 194 .. 194 Wool .. .. .. .. 6 .. 6 Sheep .. .. .. .. 1,032 .. 1,032 Horses .. .. . . .. 57 . . 57 Sundries .. . . .. 302 .. 302 Totals .. .. .. 2,668 19 2,687

T ,. Amount ; Number of -p. , , Location. , , , Dependants. expended. Workers. £ Manawatu .. .. .. 5,425 202 513 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. 1,987 138 234 Marlborough .. . . .. 236 12 29 7,648 352 776