GL—lO.

This is considered satisfactory for land which five years ago was in its virgin state, and which is as yet not fully consolidated. The figures in the above table for 1935-36 take into account the returns up to and including 30th April. Moreover, in the total number of cows (365) shown, 176 of these were heifers. As mentioned in the preamble on Horohoro, the basis of tenure is now being considered by a special committee, and with an incentive to produce more under a system of share-milking or Crown tenancy, an improvement in the next year's production can be looked for. Stock on the property at the 31st March, 1936, comprised the following : 422 dairy cows, 47 dairy heifers, 81 weaners, 22 bulls, and 5 horses. Horohoro : Rongomaipapa. Situated at the southern end of the Horohoro Block, this scheme comprises an area of 1,209 acres. Twelve members of the Kahungunu tribe, of Wairoa, are now established on the land, each having his own farm and milking herd. The whole of the land was under production last year, and twelve sheds supplied the factory. The pastures are in first-class condition, and are responding to the annual top-dressing. Stock is gradually being acclimatized, and the number of heifers being kept by each unit is steadily increasing. The following schedule gives an indication of the progress of production since inception. The figures cover each dairying season, Ist July to 30th June.

These returns can be regarded as satisfactory considering the short time that development has been in progress, and show that the assisted migration of landless Natives from other districts has not been in vain. The figures in the above table for 1935-36 take into account the returns up to and including 30th April, and of the total number of cows, 88 were heifers. The stock on the property as at 31st March, 1936, consisted of 19 dairy bulls, 376 dairy cows, 96 dairy heifers, 112 dairy weaners, and 11 draught hourses. Horohoro : Tuhourangi. This scheme comprises a total area of 1,007 acres of which 900 are now in grass. Two units were established with dairy herds during the year, and it is intended to commence another three this coming season. Dairying commenced quite late in the season and 6,368 lb. of butterfat were produced up to the 30th April of this year. Work in the farming and development operations provided employment and support for nine men and their dependants, numbering twenty-one. Top-dressing of the grassed areas was carried out, 5 miles of fencing erected, 400 chains of drains opened up, and 360 acres of tussock area were cleared. In addition two Maori carpenters from Ohinemutu erected two sheds and two cottages. A plentiful supply of winter feed is available, and with the 40 acres of turnips it enabled the following stock to be carried throughout the year : 236 steers, 188 beef cows, 70 beef calves, 71 dairy cows, 51 yearling Jersey heifers, 700 head of sheep, 5 bulls, and 5 horses. The only credit that has gone to the scheme is from butterfat, but with the allocation of the bulk stock profits and a discontinuance of this account the scheme will be allotted its own stock, which will enable farm-working accounts to be taken out in future. As at 31st March, 1936, the following stock was running on the scheme : 63 dairy cows, 194 dairy heifers, 8 dairy weaners, 5 dairy bulls, and 5 horses. Horohoro : Turanganui. This scheme, comprising an area of 640 acres, has only been under development for a comparatively short period. The members of the Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki tribe, of Gisborne, who were brought over to work the area, unfortunately did not settle down to the conditions of their adopted homes, and gradually drifted back to their own hapus on the East Coast. To-day one remains with his wife and two children, and will be rewarded for his perseverance by being allocated the first of the sections available for allotment. Work during the year provided relief for unemployed Natives of Rotorua and consisted of cultivating 150 acres, top-dressing 210 acres, fencing 5 miles, and draining 2 miles, in addition to the maintaining of pastures and attending to stock. Consolidation of the pastures has been proceeded with during the year —76 black Polled Angus bulls being used for the purpose. The pastures on the gcheme are showing particularly good growth.

15

Year. . N Sheds ° f Cows milked. Total Butterfat j lb. lb. 1932-33 .. .. 6 Not recorded. 35,697 1933-34 .. .. 8 289 45,034 156 1934-35 .. .. 8 280 41,098 147 1935-36 .. .. 12 316 48.409 153