G.—lo,

Labour generally was only sufficient to cope with maintenance work, but that available in the Manunui area was concentrated, on logging up on former burns. In this process 295 cords of firewood were split and marketed at a satisfactory price. Some 40,563 superficial feet of mi liable timber was also salvaged in the form of logs which were profitably disposed of to sawmillers. Othef logs were also converted into sawn timber at a local mill, for use in building operations, at a considerable saving in cost. , ~ On Ist April, 1941, control of the development schemes m the Tokaanu area reverted to this district. These lands, as with those in the Manunui area, belong to the Ngatituwharetoa Tribe. As direct access is now provided by the new Tokaanu-Taumarunui road, not only is the marketing of surplus stock and produce considerably reduced in cost, but movements of stock between the various areas enables the maximum utilization of the land in pasture, with a resultant increase in income. Furthermore, the ambition of settlers in the Tokaanu area to commence dairying has brought a stage nearer by the acclimitizing of a number of dairy heifers which will form the nucleus of two dairy herds to be established in the ensuing season at Korohe. With the provision of the access provided by the Taumarunui— Tokaanu Road, many thousands of acres of Native land suitable for future development will provide a field for future settlement. On the other hand, the raising of the level of Lake Taupo for hydro-electric development has resulted in many hundreds of acres of partly developed and developable land being no longer suitable for this purpose. . The post-splitting operations at Rangataua, formerly controlled from the Auckland district, nave now been transferred to this district. The year's output of 33,170 posts, 906 strainers, and 117,539 battens was below normal, due to wet weather conditions, labour shortage, and. haulage difficulties. In the Ranana area heavy mortality in the breeding-ewes was responsible for disappointing results. This was largely due to the fact that the absence of a market for aged ewes during the 1940-41 season necessitated a carry-over of an unusual proportion of this class of stock. Building operations on lands under development have been restricted by difficulty in obtaining suitable labour materials. Nevertheless the requirements of the units in the matter of erection or repairs of cottages, cow-sheds, &c., have in the main been complied with. Production figures, with those of the previous season in parentheses, were as follows : Butterfat, 301,299 lb. (267,407 lb.) ; wool, 817 bales (448 bales). _ Stock carried at 31st March, 1.942 : Sheep, 38,064 ; dairy stock, 2,996 ; run cattle, 2,849. Tribute must be paid to the effort made by the Maori community not only in responding to the calls for individual effort to maintain primary production, but also to the ready response to the call for men for the armed forces, both for overseas and home service. Native Housing.—ln spite of prevailing conditions, every opportunity has been taken to proceed with the erection or renovation of dwellings under the Native Housing Act. Difficulties in obtaining galvanized iron were largely overcome by salvaging this material from old buildings 111 various localities. The diversion of skilled labour to essential war work has prevented many approved projects being proceeded with. The following buildings were completed during the year :

While the following were in course of erection :

11l addition, one dwelling was purchased under the Act at a cost of £450. Reports received on the condition of houses erected have shown that the mortgagors have generally responded to the environment created by improved living-conditions. IKAROA AND SOUTH ISLAND MAORI LAND BOARD DISTRICTS. The season 1941-42 cannot be considered all that could be desired for agricultural-farming activities as the weather throughout the year was very unfavourable. As, for an example, the growing of grass-seed, which is carried out to a great extent m the Hawke s Bay district, received serious setbacks owing to the weather being exceedingly dry up till the end of December and continually wet during the harvesting period, with the result that a large quantity of the seed was lost.

6

t. -in- Renovation or r i n „ t New Buddings. Addition. ° 0st ' £ Native Housing Act .. 6 5 4,005 Special Fund .... 5 1 1 > 665

„ .... Renovation or r , New Buildings. Addition. Cost ' £ Native Housing Act .. 2 3 Special Fund .. .. • • 1