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TAIRAWHITI NATIVE LAND COURT DISTRICT During the year under review, applications for loans for the erection of houses totalled 27, of which 18 were approved, 3 were deferred, and 6 are awaiting approval. Building construction for the same period resulted in 5 new houses being completed, 3 house properties purchased, and 3 buildings in progress. Furniture loans totalled 21, tools of trade 14, and business loans 4. In the main, repayments of the loans are highly satisfactory, and of all the loans granted to date only three can be considered as unsatisfactory. Farm training has not been lost sight of and a number of men have either completed or are at present undergoing a course of farm training which will fit them to take over properties as they become available for settlement. Huramua Soldiers' Settlement. —The year's activities have been considerably extended by the acquisition in May, 1946, of Knapp's property (363 acres), and in November, 1946, of Awamate Station (1,433 acres), both properties adjoining Huramua. There is considerable fencing and much development work to be done before these properties will be ready for utilization for rehabilitation purposes. During the year 7 trainees were granted their A Grade certificates and are now awaiting settlement. Two trainees proved to be unsuitable and their training was terminated on the advice of the local Rehabilitation Officer, while there are at present 15 trainees in residence, 5 being graded C and the remaining 10 graded B. All the trainees are a good type. AOTEA NATIVE LAND COURT DISTRICT There have been few applications for rehabilitation assistance in this district. Three returned ex-servicemen have been settled as dairy-farmers on their own properties and are being financed by the Maori Rehabilitation Finance Committee. In addition to this, 2 returned servicemen and 2 men and 1 woman who served in the Armed Forces in New Zealand have been settled as units on land gazetted under Part I of the Native Land Amendment Act, 1936. Five rehabilitation loans for the erection of new houses and 1 loan for repairs and additions to an existing dwelling were approved during the year, and it is anticipated that a commencement will be made on the construction at an early date. A further 5 furniture loans were approved and delivery taken of the furniture by the respective applicants. IKAROA AND SOUTH ISLAND NATIVE LAND COURT DISTRICTS Seven housing loans were approved during the year, while 6 applications are still under consideration. Two houses have been erected during the year and 1 building section has been purchased. Three buildings are nearing completion, 1 is about to commence, 5 are ready for building, while in 2 cases loans have been approved and titles to the house-sites are being arranged. Ten applications for furniture loans were received, 8 being approved and 2 still being under action. Two tools of trade loans were approved for carpenters. Four business-loan applications were dealt with, 1 being declined because the business was not suitable. Another applicant has failed to reply to correspondence and has apparently left the district, a third has been deferred by the Committee, and the fourth is still under action. Two farming applications were received, and in 1 case a loan was approved for the purchase of a rotary hoe for the applicant, who is a farming contractor. The other application is still under investigation.

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