G—lo

Group Housing In localities where the Maori population is dominant, the establishment of houses on a group basis is often the most satisfactory means of dealing with housing improvement. The projected group scheme for Hiruharama, on the Wanganui Eiver, after early difficulties, is now to be commenced, and loans have already been approved. A group housing scheme is also being prepared for the Matahiwi Settlement, near Hastings, and preliminary negotiations are in train for group building at Patea, Waihi, and Te Kuiti with finance provided by way of loans under the Maori Housing Act, 1935. PART V.—MAORI REHABILITATION FINANCE COMMITTEE Although three years have elapsed since the cessation of hostilities, departmental activity in the sphere of Maori rehabilitation has not diminished. The Maori Rehabilitation Finance Committee held twelve meetings during the year and authorized the expenditure of £155,000, an increase of £15,000 on the previous year's figure. During the year 10 ex-servicemen were settled on the land at a cost of £29,181 —■ 5 on properties purchased as going concerns and 5 on land which bad previously been purchased by the Crown for the settlement of Maori ex-servicemen. After somewhat lengthy negotiation, the purchase of Messrs. Lichenstein and Arnoldson's property of 3,445 acres, known as Eotoiti Station, has been finalized. It is estimated that this property will settle 10 Maori ex-servicemen. A portion of the Huramua Soldier Settlement, near Wairoa, is almost ready for occupation. Cottages and milking-sheds are in course of erection, and it is anticipated that 6 " A " Grade Maori ex-servicemen will be settled on the property prior to the commencement of the coming dairying season. Maori ex-servicemen continue to take advantage of the concessions and facilities available for the erection of houses, and during the year loans for the erection of 68 new dwellings, at an estimated cost of £87,000, were approved. The Department's own building organization accords a 50-per-cent. preference to houses for ex-servicemen, and 56 new dwellings, costing £61,000, were erected during the year. Applications for business loans show a substantial increase, and, of the 34 applications received, 26, involving the expenditure of £12,700, were approved. Tables setting out details of rehabilitation operations appear elsewhere in this report.

Assistance Granted to Ex-servicemen to 31st March, 1948: Maori Rehabilitation Finance Committee and Board of Maori Affairs*

14

Overseas Servicemen. Home Servicemen. Totals. Loans or Advances approved for — •Year 1947-48. To Date. Year 1947-48. To Date. Year 1947-48. To Date. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. No. Amount. Purchase of farms Settlement on farms Additional expenditure on farms Purchase of houses Erection of houses Repairs to houses Purchases of tools of trade Purchase of furniture .. Miscellaneous Purchase of businesses .. 8 8 5 07 2 5 98 2 25 £ 48,928 21,206 57,144 4,340 85,330 2,379 181 9,177 834 12,661 27' 49 249 14 31 252 5 36 £ 139,409 68,057 172,302 15,210 244,105 5,997 1,281 22,702 1,449 21,303 2 'i 4 i £ 2^938 "27 344 "50 •4 2 8 1 £ 4^488 '*45 742 1,700 50 8 8 69 2 6 102 2 26 £ 48,928 21,206 57,144 4,340 88,268 2,379 208 9,521 834 12,711 27 49 253 14 33 260 7 37 £ 139,409t 68,057f 172,302t 15,210 248,593 5,997 1,326 23,444 3,149 21,353 Totals 220 242,180 663 691,815 8 3,359 17 7,025 228 245,539 680 698,840 Supplementary 9 2,251 14 2,935 1 150 1 150 10 2,401 15 3,085 * Assistance granted by Board of Maori Affairs is under Part I of Maori Land Amendment Act, 1936, or Maori Housing Act, 1935. t Figures include previous year's adjustments.