JUNE 11.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 901

The goldfields in the Auckland Provincial District receive at present most attention, whilst those on the west coast of the Middle Island are being brought into prominence; but there is every reason to believe that the gold deposits of Otago will shortly command the attention which their prospects and possibilities demand. The dispute in respect to the cyanide patent has not yet been settled.

The settlement of the people on the land has progressed most satisfactorily during the year, and the benefits accruing under the Land for Settlements Act have been greatly appreciated. That land is sought for by the people of the colony most eagerly is proved by the fact that for most of the sections thrown open there have been a large number of applicants. In respect to the method of making application and dealing with the same, unforeseen difficulties have occurred, and to prevent duplication and insure a proper class of settlers remedial provisions will require to be made.

The beneficent effect of the Government Advances to Settlers Act has been clearly demonstrated, and the decrease in the rates of interest previously charged has proved to be a great boon to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. Every precaution has been taken to see that advances have not been made except upon good securities and in accordance with law. The extreme care taken in respect to the securities first offered doubtless limited the number of loans, but it is now generally conceded that the effect has been to compel care in making application, while the increasing aggregate of amounts advanced, together with the increasing number of applications received weekly, leads to the belief that on the whole the Advances to Settlers Department, with its new machinery, will henceforward work satisfactorily.

The systematic grading and cool-storage of our dairy produce have proved satisfactory. Uniformity has been achieved, and higher prices obtained; and, with an increased number of competent experts, the Department of Agriculture hopes during this year to further improve the results of dairy farming. And there is a general belief that New Zealand butter and cheese will ere long command the highest prices in the markets of the world.

Recently a conference of fruit-growers was held in Wellington, and was attended by experts from the other colonies and from all parts of New Zealand. The results were very encouraging, and should be productive of lasting benefit to the fruit industry. The opinion was generally expressed that New Zealand, from the nature of its soils, climate, and other natural advantages, was destined to be a great fruit-growing country. The colony was congratulated for being the first in Australasia to have the proceedings of the conference fully reported, and recognition was made of the advantages to this and the other colonies of publishing in the records of the colony the valuable papers and discussions thereon dealt with at the conference.

The improvement in the price of kauri-gum has had a marked and favourable impression on that industry, and those engaged therein are fairly well satisfied with the results for the year. Well-founded complaints have been made by the gum-diggers of the absolute impossibility of their ascertaining accurately the price of the gum in the market.

It is a matter for regret that the once flourishing and remunerative flax-industry has languished during the year, consequent on the unprofitable prices ruling. With a view of fostering the industry, and meeting a long-felt want, a substantial bonus was offered for improved flax-dressing machinery, but so far without satisfactory results. The matter is deserving of and will receive every attention, and, with proper grading, improved machinery, and capital awaiting investment at low rates, there is every prospect of the industry becoming once more payable and lasting.

The medical conference held in Dunedin was thoroughly representative in character, and was attended by many able professional men from Australia and all parts of New Zealand. It gave me very great pleasure to attend the opening of the conference. The results of their labours will assuredly prove beneficial to suffering humanity. The proceedings of the conference were fully reported, and the papers and discussions thereon will be read with great interest. The public health branch was particularly interesting and instructive, and, if the suggestions made are given effect to, great benefits will be derived therefrom.