c.—l.

Pursuant to section 10 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929, the following summary of operations up to 31st March, 1937, is recorded :— (a) Ihe Several Areas of Unoccupied Crown Lands in respect of which Development-works have been undertaken during the Year. Auckland Land District:— Ngakuru Block, of 14,755 acres of light pumice land, fifteen miles from Rotorua : Developmentwork commenced in February, 1930, and results have been highly satisfactory. There are now thirty-nine dairy-farms at Ngakuru (including the sharemilkers' farms), with an aggregate area of 7,830 acres. The number of cows carried last season was 1,710. Galatea Estate, of 22,326 acres, near Murupara : Pending the completion of developmental work and the offering of this land for selection, the major portion is being successfully farmed as a sheep and cattle station. As at 31st March, 1937, the station stock consisted of 20,504 sheep and 5,902 cattle. The remainder of block comprises ten sharemilking farms and a demonstration farm. The stock carried by these eleven farms consists of 633 dairy cows, 20 bulls, 20 horses, 320 pigs. Towards the end of the year twenty-two sections with an area of 2,391 acres were offered for selection, and of these, sixteen sections with an area of 1,777 acres were selected on renewable lease. Particulars of the developmental work being undertaken are given in Appendix 111 in the report of the Land Drainage Branch of the Department. Hawke's Bay Land District:— Kakariki Estate, a purchased estate of 17,688 acres at Kotemaori: This block is intended to provide about ten holdings for sheep-farming. An area of 9,291 acres of new grass has been established, and live-stock carried is as follows : 15,800 sheep, 1,360 cattle, 32 horses. A successful farming year has been experienced, a net profit resulting after charging interest on all capital expenditure. Taranaki Land District:— lapuwae Estate, of 3,350 acres, a purchased estate in the King-country : This block is estimated to provide approximately eleven mixed farms. Two. thousand two hundred and sixty acres have been developed, and bush sickness has been successfully dealt with. The season has ended with a net farming profit after meeting interest 011 all capital expenditure. Live-stock consists of 5,730 sheep and 850 cattle.

(b) Total Cost of Development-works carried out to 31st March, 1937.

In addition to the expenditure on blocks set out above, expenditure lias been incurred on tlie roading, survey, &c., of various areas which are being developed by the settlers themselves. The total expenditure £386,871 for development, stock, roading, and surveys (apart from roading-costs payable out of Public Works Fund) up to the 31st March, 1937, provides for 616 farms,

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Expenditure on E £P eil diture onj Total Expen- Net Development Development diture on Expenditure on alock - 3j st jiarcj, during Year Development Live-stock as lqoii ' ended 31st to 31st March, at 31st March, OD ' March, 1937. j 1937. 1937. North Auckland Land District. Wharekohe Block .. .. .. j 11,535 | 1,616 J 13,151 [ , £ Auckland Land District. Ngakuru Block .. .. .. 84,698 25 84,723 1,402 Te Kauwhata Block .. .. .. 32,176 .. 32,176 Onepu Block* .. .. .. .. 20,120 .. 20J20 Koromatua Block .. .. .. 4,163 303 4,466 Galatea Estate .. .. .. 82,834 16,262 99,'096 5^452 Whangamarino Block* .. .. .. 8,445 .. 8,445 Mangatutu Block .. .. .. 3,715 .. 3'715 Pongakawa Block* .. .. .. 3,764 .. 943 Arohena Block .. .. .. .. 207 207 Hawke's Bay Land District. Kakariki Estate .. .. .. | 30,398 | 12,453 | 42,851 | Taranaki Land District. Tapuwae Estate .. .. .. 13,873 9 13,882 9,686 295,721 30,875 326,596 17,483 * Whangamarino, Pongakawa, and part of Onepu Blocks taken over by Small Farms Board.