D.—l

LIGHTHOUSES. The erection of radio beacon stations has progressed favourably during the past year, due to the more rapid delivery of the apparatus from England. The beacon at Cape Campbell has been completed, the one at Stephens Island almost completed, while at Cuvier and Moko Hinau Islands some heavy preliminary work has been done. Plans are under preparation for a radio beacon at Cape Reinga, near Cape Maria Van Diemen. Most of the lighthouse-stations have received attention during the year in the way of repairs and maintenance. Particular attention has been given to the installation of suitable tramways and winches to facilitate the unloading of stores, &c., at the lighthouse-stations which are somewhat inaccessible. The French Pass light which was damaged some years ago as a result of a collision by a vessel has been repaired and strengthened. This work necessitated the working of short shifts due to tidal conditions. NATIVE-LAND SETTLEMENT. The net expenditure from the Public Works Fund for the year under review was £493,695, as compared with £'254,827 for the previous year. The gross expenditure this year was £1,166,103, as against £814,135 last year. The difference between the gross expenditure and the net capital expenditure this year —viz., £672,408 —is represented by grants from the Employment Promotion Fund, £415,000, and farm receipts from Native lands in course of development and settlement totalling £257,408. With the exception of £24,972 expended under the Native Housing Act, 1935 (an additional amount of £35,011 disbursed from the Special Housing Fund is reflected in the Native Trustee's Account), the above figures represent expenditure on the development, settlement, cultivation, and improvement of Native lands, and the progress achieved in regard to these activities is indicated in the following statement, which shows the position at 31st March, 1939 : — Area gazetted for development (acres) . . . . 841,000 Area under development (acres) . . . . .. 255,000 Individual settlers established .. .. .. 1,900 Labourers employed . . . . . . . . 3,000 Dependants (excluding settlers and labourers). . . . 17,000 Houses erected to date (total) . . .. . . 1,088 Live-stock tallies — Dairy stock . . . . . . . . . . 50,500 Run sheep . . . . . . . . .. 22,500 Sheep .. .. .. .. .. 136,000 Receipts for year— £ Butterfat (Department's proportion only, 40 per cent.) .. .. .. 116,360 Wool .. .. .. ..34,324 Live-stock .. .. .. .. 91,546 Sundries .. .. .. .. 15,178 £ 257,408 The development a,nd settlement of Native lands, the construction and repair of houses for Maoris, and the promotion of employment amongst the people are measures which are directed by the Board of Native Affairs and controlled by the Native Department. A full report dealing with the operations of the Board, and the policy adopted to encourage and assist the Maori people in their establishment as self-supporting members of the community, is contained in parliamentary report G.-10.

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