G.—9

expenditure, as far as possible, in the acquisition of substituted assets in some form or another, such as the purchase of other property, improving housing-conditions, or purchase of furniture or live-stock and farm chattels. Maori Land Board.—The functions of the Board with regard to the administration of vested lands were fully maintained during the year, more especially in relation to renewals of leases and the collection and disbursement of rents accruing from leases of vested lands. In addition, the Board is also the agent of the Native Trustee for the purpose of collecting and distributing rents accruing from lands vested in the Native Trustee under the provisions of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act. A long-felt want has been supplied by a recent enactment which gives the Board the right to investigate breaches of the covenants of any lease and,, if necessary, to sue for and recover damages. One or two cases of this nature came up for review during the year. These eases, and a general policy of inspecting lands subject to lease in which the Board is interested as lessor, agent, or mortgagee, are resulting in a more general compliance with the terms of leases to which the lands are subject. The Board's financial activities have shown an upward trend, as is disclosed by the increase in amounts received and payments effected. Our endeavours to provide a prompt and complete disbursement of all available amounts has been continued, and amounts held under protective sections of the Native Land Act, such as section 281, have been freely released in all cases where such release has provided substitutive assets of an incomeproviding nature or for the general permanent advantage of the Maori concerned. Funds held in dormant accounts and other amounts accumulating for specific and varied purposes have been utilized in support of the war effort to the extent that during the year an amount of over £17,000 was invested, bringing the total investment in war loans up to nearly £49,000, which amount includes £15,500 invested on account of specific beneficiaries. The accumulative effect of small savings has not been overlooked, and our efforts have resulted in many national savings accounts being opened by Natives entitled to small annual payments. Ikaroa (Wellington) and South Island Districts Native Land Courts.—Thirty-two sittings of the Court were held at centres extending from Hastings to Invercargill, thereby imposing a strain on Judge A. A. Whitehead and his staff in keeping to the itinerary arranged for the Court. There was a slight decrease in the routine business handled in the two districts compared with the previous year, but generally the volume of work was at the usual level. As well as the usual variety of cases, the hearing of compensation claims for land taken for housing purposes has occupied much of the time of the Court. One of these claims was in respect of the land known as Hutt Section 19, situated at Waiwhetu, for which the Maoris were awarded over £50,000. Maori Land Boards*. —The number of alienations submitted to the Court for confirmation has been maintained. During the year fifteen applications for extension of term of timber-cutting grants under section 18' of the Native Purposes Act, 1943, were received. The legislation has afforded a means of granting relief to a number of timber firms who, as a result of war conditions, have been unable to cut timber within the period allowed under their contracts.

TABLE A. —SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION OF NATIVE TRUSTEE AND DISTRICT MAORI LAND BOARDS AS AT 31st MARCH, 1944

7

™u. Waiariki. Aotea . | Ikaroa . I South 1 8ub-t0ta,. | | ££££££££££ Total receipts .. 27,385. 42,877 62,541 94,363 150,259 135,256 20,929 533,610 395,959 929,569 Total payments .. 28,165 42,069 66,046 80,848 151,197 133,869 18,906 521,100 376,093 897,193 Cash balances (including 4,105 3,800 12,187 1,785 2,016 381 2,769 27,043 20,744 47,787 Special Housing Fund) Investments — On deposit with 189 35,846 45,348 23,618 57,181 73,919 13,395 249,496 .. 249,496 Native Trustee Government securities 23,865 16,701 30,025 73,528 52,054 11,625 5,600 213,398 6,830 220,228 Mortgages .. 19,455 39,078 6,944 56,920 28,827 37,099 5,749 194,072 386,905 580,977 Farming properties .. 11,083 73,974 9,922 7,117 .. .. 102,096 141,901 243,997 and primary production Liability to Native 46,632 79,687 98,394 104,981 131,383 117,231 25,059 603,367 203,385 806,752 beneficiaries Reserves — Assurance and 277 19,079 2,329 4,648 47,652 5,337 1,755 81,077 117,845 198,922' Reserve Fund j Special .. .. .. 56,934 57,648 23,175 8,810 1,028 147,595 2,476 150,071