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of a similar nature. With, a view to a planned utilization of their timber resources ■with the advice and assistance of the State Forest Service, meetings of owners of fourteen other blocks have been held and the Court has made orders of incorporation under the provisions of Part XVII of the Native Land Act, 1931, with, regard to each block. Alienations Confirmations of leases comprise the bulk of the work of the Court here, although for the period under review several timber licences covering an area of 18,176 acres have been granted. Maori Land Board The Board continues to act on behalf of the Native Trustee with reference to the leasing and control of the West Coast Settlement Reserves. A regular half-yearly payment, undertaken through the Taranaki area, ensures that the beneficiaries have an opportunity of collecting their rents with the minimum of inconvenience to themselves. Regular distribution and payment of other rents are also attended to as promptly as possible. In order that the interests of the Maori owners might be protected, further inspections of leasehold properties have been undertaken to see that the covenants of leases have been carried out, and in certain cases it has been necessary to take action against lessees to enforce the covenants and recover damages for breach of covenant. During the year grants were made to the Maori Purposes Fund totalling £l5O, being £5O for revision of the Maori Bible and £lOO for improvements to the Manukorihi Pa, at Waitara. Maori Welfare A considerable amount of spadework has already been undertaken and the general feeling toward the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act, 1945, in this district is good. Tribal Committees for Jerusalem, Ranana, Matahiwi, Koroniti, Parikino, and Kaiwhaita have already been elected. The Welfare Officer has visited practically every marae in the Whanganui Tribal District, and he reports satisfactory progress. A housing survey was undertaken at Jerusalem, and a group housing scheme for that area is now being given consideration. A topographical survey of the housing-sites has been made, and a model has been prepared by the Housing Construction Branch of the Ministry of Works of the site and general layout. Plans and specifications are in course of preparation for houses suitable to the requirements of the people and the environs. Ikaroa (Wellington) and South Island Districts Native Land Court Twenty-two sittings of the Court were held, in the Ikaroa District during the year and fourteen in the South Island. A total of 4,325 cases were notified for hearing, of which 1,256 were disposed of, and £628 was collected in fees. Of the 139 alienations confirmed by the Court, 22 were sales and leases to Maoris. The partition and vesting of house-sites as a preliminary to housing applications has occupied much of the Court's time. The Native Appellate Court held one sitting in the Ikaroa District to consider 2 appeals, 1 of which was struck out, the other being adjourned. Maori Land Boards The appointment of a Deputy Registrar, to fill the position created by section 4 of the Native Purposes Act, 1945, was made by the Public Service Commissioner on 27th May, 1946.

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