G.—lo.

Owing to heavy rainfall and excessive cold winds, little growth was noticed in any,of the pastures until October, but since then favourable weather conditions prevailed and feed was plentiful. Continual showers, however, affected the harvesting period, and crops of hay were damaged and went into the stacks in poor condition. Units do not as yet appreciate the necessity for conserving winter feed, although the majority saved one or more stacks of hay during thejyear, but sufficient areas are in rough grass to tide them over until next season. During September and March a top-dressing of 2 cwt. to 3 cwt. of superphosphate per acre was applied to all permanent pastures, and this treatment, in conjunction with harrowing and closer grazing, has improved the quality of the grass. The dairying stock came through the winter in only fair condition, due chiefly to the excessively cold weather experienced, but some of the settlers failed to take the care and interest that is required with cattle during these months. The incidence of mammitis, due in some cases to neglect, was noticeable during the flush months of the milking season, and in all cases units were advised and instructed in regard to treatment. Very few other diseases were reported, and in the autumn all herds were carefully culled, and diseased or unprofitable stock sold. At the 31st March the following stock was on the scheme : 508 cows, 18 bulls, 96 heifers, 14 steers, 18 working bullocks, and 30 horses. The butterfat-production table for the past five years is as follows : —

* 1935-36 figures are to 31st March only. A good water system supplies twenty separate farms, four additional houses, and a meeting-house. A check upon undue wastage is exercised by a committee which acts in conjunction with the supervisor. During the year a considerable amount of development work was undertaken, including 590 chains of new fencing ; 93 chains of new drains ; clearing, stumping, and grubbing 375 acres of scrub, blackberry, manuka, and light bush ; ploughing 145 acres ; and roading about 25 chains. In addition, 45 acres of the Waiorore section were ploughed and sown in maize, and 170 acres was surface sown in grass. The lack of co-operation among the settlers is noticeable on this scheme, which is difficult to manage, and there is a tendency on the part of the units themselves to rely too much on the younger members, especially in regard to milking and general farm maintenance. It is hoped that, with close and sympathetic supervision, units will be encouraged to realize the benefits of closer development and intensified production. Note. —Reference to this section of the Te Kaha development area was contained in previous G.-10 statements under the heading of " Te Kaha Proper." Orete. Farther along the Bay of Plenty coast, the Orete scheme is marked on the map by a point of the same name jutting out into the sea. Its total area is 4,774 acres, of which it is proposed to develop some 3,600 acres. At present 1,620 acres are in permanent pasture and a further 290 acres in rough feed. In addition, 68 acres were cropped during the year. Twenty-three units have now been established, all of whom, with the exception of one, are suppliers to the Te Kaha Dairy Factory. The number of persons dependent on these settlers is thirty adults and ninety minors. Old settlers in this district state that the flush of grass experienced during the late spring and summer months has been phenomenal, and there has been a super-abundance of feed on the scheme. The general standard and quality of all pasture lands that have been ploughed and sown down is good, and ratstail and danthonia, so noticeable two years ago, have now almost completely disappeared, due to correct top-dressing, grass harrowing, and systematic grazing. Unfortunately, haymaking operations were marred by excessive wet weather, and the settlers experienced great difficulty in harvesting their crops satisfactorily, with the result that a considerable amount of hay perished before reaching the stacking stage. The ultimate amount saved exceeded that of the previous season, but, owing to these conditions, the quality was not as good. The live-stock returns at the 31st March were : 713 cows, 141 heifers, 23 bulls, 46 calves, 22 working bullocks, 970 sheep, and 56 working horses. All stock was fairly well cared for during the winter months, which were very cold and wet, and the majority of the dairy cows were in profit by the end of September. During the year each dairying herd was inspected, and all diseased and unprofitable cows were culled. Apart from a few cases of mammitis, very little disease was noticed, and units were instructed in regard to the treatment of this complaint. The grading of cream has been very fair, considering the unavoidable delays in delivery to the factory owing to floods in the Raukokore River, which has to be forded. This river is only fordable near the mouth, and after a flood the shingle formation becomes so dangerously soft that it is often two or three days before the cream lorry can cross over. It has been a common occurrence for the service to be suspended, owing to this cause, for several days in the flush of the season, when daily deliveries are

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Item. 1931-32. 1932-33. 1933-34. 1934r-35. 1935-36.* Total butterfat supplied .. .. 25,361 1b. 34,088 1b. 11,863 lb. 32,390 1b. 57,937 1b. Value of butterfat .. .. £852 £887 £1,086 .. £1,841 Average per cow .. .. .. .. .. .. 122-2 lb. 152 lb. Recorded number of cows milked over .. .. .. 265 381 flush months of season