G—lo

In the main the supply of labour has been satisfactory. In most cases, Maori carpenter trainees are rising to the occasion and the work produced by them is of a good standard. With the co-operation of the local Rehabilitation Department, the Department's building organization is endeavouring to place as many Maori trainees as possible. This district's building organization has five heavy trucks at its disposal. Apart from deliveries to jobs, the greater portion of timber from the various sawmills throughout the district is carried by them to the central housing depot at Rotorua. All the vehicles are under central control for operation and maintenance. Despite every effort to obtain various lines, 48 houses are held up for wallboard, 36 for joinery, and 58 for baths. In several cases people are occupying houses without baths in the meantime. This district has now a set of standard designs, the layouts of which have crystalized from the actual needs of Maori families of varying sizes. The strictest economy, combined with the maximum room areas and amenities, has been aimed at. All these plans provide for a 9 ft. stud, a minimum area of 100 square feet for any one room, fanlights, and adequate ventilation. It is well known that fumes from the Rotorua thermal areas have a deleterious effect upon painted exteriors. Much housing work lies within this area, and to avoid high maintenance costs the Department is building many houses with plaster exteriors upon diagonal sarkings. Eight houses in a row now being built very near the Whakarewarewa thermal area will be in plaster. This style of finish suits well in another respect, as timber deliveries to the run of the log leave a considerable supply of rough wood which can economically be used only as sarking. As an increasing number of new dwellings is occupied it is gratifying to see almost all the families taking a pride in their new homes, and in many cases they have laid out the house surrounds in pleasing garden and landscape effects. It will take a long period of unremitting work before the housing conditions of the Maori people in this district are raised to the proper standard, and it is hoped in the immediate future to reach a goal of 120 new houses a year. During the year a commencement was made with a centre for the housing operations of the district. The Department purchased 3| acres of suitable land in the town industrial area, and an up-to-date layout has been prepared for the necessary stores, workshops, garage, and administration buildings. This will be made a central depot of supply for all constructional activities in the district. The machinery and facilities available will also provide an opportunity, under competent instruction, to train young members of the Maori race in a number of trades and useful occupations in addition to timber-yard work and joinery-manufacture. TAIRAWHITI NATIVE LAND COURT DISTRICT The housing operations during the past year have increased when compared with those of the previous year. A total number of 40 Maori carpenters, together with 7 painters and 2 plumbers, are now operating on Maori housing. From time to time trainee's under the rehabilitation scheme are absorbed into a housing team as they become qualified. Some difficulty is being experienced with regard to transport of workers to the various jobs, and until this is overcome further progress in Maori housing will be retarded. The Tairawhiti area is covered by three zones —viz., Wairoa, Gisborne, and East Coast —and in each of the zones approximately 16 workers are engaged on housing activities.

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