D.—l.

Section 255, Blocks XI and XV, Maungatautari Survey District (late Property of W. L. Foss).— The development of the above block of 438 acres has been carried out during the year by one occupier and the necessary ordinary workmen, and good progress has been made. Scrub and other growth was cleared over an area of 100 acres. 30 acres of ragwort was dealt with, 77 acres were ploughed, 110 acres cultivated in turnips, swedes, and grass. 56 ch. of rabbit-proof fencing and 125 ch. of temporary fences for stock control were erected. , _ Lot 2 of Section 1, Block XV, Maungatautari Survey District (late L. S. Langaon s Property). This property, which comprises an area of 456 acres, has been developed during the year by one occupier and the necessary ordinary workmen. To date, scrub and other growth has been cleared over 106 acres 57 acres of ragwort have been dealt with, 48 acres ploughed, 163 acres cultivated in swedes, turnips, and temporary pasture ; 32 ch. of rabbit-proof fencing and 102 ch. of temporary fencing for stock-control have been erected. Further developmental work of a similar nature is proposed to be carried out next year. Blocks V, VI, X, and IX, Maungatautari Survey District (Elhcotts Block). In addition to the work previously undertaken, considerable work of a developmental nature has been carried out on this block of 2,900 acres. There are thirty-one farm applicants housed in temporary public-works married quarters, together with other labour required. It is anticipated that the block will be subdivided into seventeen holdings, and it is proposed to proceed with the erection of six permanent cottages milking-sheds, &c., almost immediately. A particularly good season was experienced for grass as is indicated by the fact that 200 tons of hay and ensilage were harvested m addition to the inroads made by control stock consisting of bullocks, heifers, and sheep. To date 426 acres of tutu and fern have been grubbed, ragwort has been dealt with over 100 acres, 486 acres have been ploughed, and permanent grass has been sown over 196 acres ; 256 acres of new pasture has been harrowed and top-dressed ; 609 ch. of fencing has been erected, and 53 ch. of fencing has been repaired and renewed. 225 acres have been cultivated in swedes and temporary grass, five farm bridges have been erected, and a total of 3,450 trees was planted during the year. Further developmental work of a similar nature is proposed to be carried out on this block next year. Tauranga District. Wainui South Block, near Apata.—Working-conditions in the block have progressively changed during the year, as from about August, 1935, when milking commenced, much more time has had to be given by the six men in the block to the maintenance of the holdings, and on the development side the* 5 most important item remaining to be done is the completion of internal fencing. The year s operations are shown in following summary

The foregoing summary includes the area of new land recently sown in pasture. Napier District. Ahuriri Lagoon Reclamation.—This lagoon, formerly a shallow arm of the sea in Ahuriri Harbour, has now been transformed to an area of approximately 7,500 acres of mud-flat and shallow water, and is being reclaimed with a view to subdivision into small farms for allotment to settlers. The main factors of the scheme now being undertaken by the Department are—(l) A gravity system of drainage affecting 1 500 acres at the southern end of the lagoon ; (2) construction of 11 m. of stop-bank to exclude drainage coming off the hill country to the west; and (3) construction of two pumping-stations and internal drainage of the areas served—4,ooo acres and 600 acres respectively. Further work has been carried out during the year on the gravity-drainage system, and the drainage of approximately 1,200 acres has been completed to date in that area, but efforts have been mainly concentrated on the building of stop-banks Although weather conditions have been very unfavourable, progress has been satisfactory, and practically the whole length of stop-bank has been built by hand labour and is now ready for topping up with the drag-line excavator. The building of both pumping-stations is in hand, and it is anticipated that they will be ready to dewater the stop-banked areas when the banks are completed. On the drained land two tractor units have been ploughing since May last, and have completed an area of 182 acres to date liie primary object of this work is to hasten the leaching-out of salt from this soil, but it may also be regarded as the first step towards bringing the land into a state of productivity.

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... . „ To 30/6/36 from | Past Year. Start of Scheme. Boundary fences .. • • • • • • • ■ , ! chains. Subdivision (internal) fences . . ■ • • • 340 chains. 583 ,, Temporary fences (internal) .. •• •• 91 „ Clearing (scrub-cutting) • ■ • ■ Hi acres. 404| acres. Ploughing, disking, harrowing, and grassing . . 71 A- „ 404-» „ Harvesting —hay and ensilage . . .. • • -159 ,, 159 Top-dressing old pasture . . • ■ ■ ■ 280 „ -<80 ,, N 0TE _As the boundary and permanent subdivision fences were finalized, the temporary fences were as far as possible dismantled and salvaged, and material re-used in permanent work.