G.—lo,

supplying cream of better quality. Sheds and utensils are in the main kept clean and in good working condition, and the units generally take a personal pride in the state of their dairies. Although to some extent inexperienced in practical farming, the general working standard of the Torere people is good. They are keen to progress, and with constant and individual supervision, which at present is essential, their scheme should become a successful venture. Maraenui. This scheme is located around the mouth of the Motu River, which flows into the Bay of Plenty southwards of Te Kaha. The total area is approximately 1,500 acres, of which it is proposed to develop 800 acres. At present an area of 100 acres is in permanent pasture and a further 250 acres in rough feed. In addition, 60 acres were cropped during the season in maize. There are no established units on Maraenui as the scheme is still in the course of development, but ten Natives are employed, and altogether eighteen adults and twenty-four children derive some benefit from the undertaking. The pastures on the flats have been top-dressed, and feed has been plentiful throughout the year. The maize crop suffered in the early stages from floods, and after going into cob was damaged by severe storms and heavy rains which were experienced in the district. A plague of caterpillars then stripped the stalks of all the leaves. Ragwort and blackberry are very prevalent on this area, and are kept in check by cutting, grazing, and spraying. Providing the ragwort can be eradicated, the flats will in time make good dairy-farms, but it will be necessary to graze sheep for the next few years, and during the last season 300 in-lamb ewes were carried. The returns from 263 lambs and 96 ewes —■ 1,898 lb. wool, amounting to £63 —were very satisfactory considering the sheep were off ragwortinfested country. Owing to the scarcity of labour, difficulty was experienced in carrying out the programme for the year, but the following works were undertaken : 40 chains new fencing, 60 chains repairs to fences, clearing and stumping 62 acres, ploughing and working down 62 acres, and roading 20 chains. Note. —Under the general heading of Te Kaha is comprised a group of schemes extending along the Bay of Plenty coast from Motu River to Cape Eunaway. In previous G-.-10 statements Maraenui is referred to as a section of Te Kaha, but for the purpose of this report it is treated as being a separate development scheme. Omaio. Comprising an area of 2,179 acres, this scheme is situate on Omaio Bay, and joins the Maraenui scheme in the Bay of Plenty district. It is proposed to develop 1,900 acres, and at present 1,220 acres are in permanent and temporary pasture. Eighteen units have been established on Omaio, seventeen of whom are supplying cream to the Te Kaha Dairy Factory. The number of persons dependent upon the scheme is forty-four adults and eighty-three minors. Following a late spring, ideal weather conditions prevailed, and feed was plentiful throughout the summer, the majority of units being able to save one or more stacks of hay for winter use. Ratstail is prevalent, especially on the terrace lands, but methods now being adopted in regard to top-dressing, harrowing, and closer grazing will ultimately kill this undesirable grass. The temporary pastures are of poor quality, being thickly infested with blackberry and other weeds, but 150 acres of this area was stumped and cleared during the year in readiness for cultivation next season. The dairy herds were culled during the year, and all unprofitable stock sold. The number of cows milked during the flush season was 343, the butterfat supplied 53,795 lb., and the average per cow £6 7s. lOd. For the previous season 311 cows were milked. All units now milking have been equipped with first-class dairy-sheds, and utensils are kept in fair order considering the scarcity of water. Water systems, consisting of concrete dams and pipe-lines, are now being installed, and these improvements should result in better cream grading. Other works undertaken during the year include the erection of 548 chains of boundary and subdivisional fencing, opening up 87 chains of new drains, clearing and scrubbing 41 acres of second growth, stumping and clearing 205 acres of heavy manuka and blackberry, ploughing 40 acres, and splitting fencing material. Four cottages were erected, and the majority of the settlers are now comfortably housed. With the exception of a few of the units the general farm work throughout the season has been quite satisfactory, and a general improvement is noticeable, but close supervision and instruction in proper dairying methods is essential to the progress of this scheme. Te Kaha. This scheme is located at Te Kaha, on the Bay of Plenty, and comprises a total area of 2,966 acres, of which 2,400 acres are suitable for development. At present 1,105 acres are in permanent and temporary pastures, including 293 acres sown in grass during the year. There are now twenty-five units established on the scheme, twenty-four of whom are milking and supplying cream to the Te Kaha Dairy Company, and, in addition, five prospective settlers are also suppliers to the factory. Thirty-four adults and ninety-nine minors are dependent on these workers.

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