G.—lo.

Maiigapu. The Mangapu scheme-is handy to To Kuiti, on the main Te Kuiti-New Plymouth highway, ancl comprises an area of 633 acres subdivided into two holdings. The soil is of a good heavy clay formation, undulating to steep in parts, but is healthy sheep and cattle country. Approximately 570 acres are suitable for development, the balance of the area comprising sandstone bluffs. Two settlers have been established, one as a sheep and dairy farmer, and the other with sheep only. The scheme maintains thirteen adults and ten children, whose health during the year has been good. There are approximately 300 acres in permanent pasture and 270 acres in Native grasses and scrub, and it is anticipated that the whole of the undeveloped area will be brought into production next year. This country in the past was badly infested with ragwort, but, with intense concentration of sheep, this noxious weed has been practically eliminated. The live-stock as at 31st March consisted of 10 dairy cows, 4 dry cows, 63 run cattle, 700 breeding-ewes, and 80 dry sheep. Ngahape. Situated six miles from Te Kawa, this scheme comprises at present an area of 423 acres. The soil is of a light friable loam, of which 50 acres are flat, the balance being undulating to hilly. When the Department commenced development a little more than a year ago, 340 acres were unimproved and covered with ragwort, tutu, scrub, heather, and fern. One settler has been established as a dairy and sheep farmer on the area, and the scheme maintains ten adults and fifteen children, whose general health has been good. There are 100 acres in permanent grass and 20 acres in rough pasture, and the area will require close fencing and stocking to keep fern and ragwort under control. The rabbit pest is gradually diminishing. Live-stock at 31st March included 27 dairy cows, 10 weaner heifers, and 220 sheep. The dairy operations have been carried out in the front portion of 70 acres, with the aid of sheep off the hill country to control ragwort. The hill country is excellent grazing land. A manure and implement shed, with a lean-to attached to accommodate workmen, was erected during the year. An adjoining area of 803 acres has been submitted for development, but owing to intricate title difficulties it is only recently that the Department has been in a position to organize the work and marshal the necessary labour. This area will be developed on a face, and will later be suitable for subdivision into four farms. Onewhero. This is a " blanket " scheme comprising six groups scattered over a wide area, and embraces a total area of 4,731 acres. Each locality presents a different class of soil and a separate problem so far as farming is concerned. The areas on which active development has taken place are classified into two groups. On Onewhero and Opuatia the soil varies greatly in quality from good semi-volcanic country to undulating papa country and some gum land, poorly watered. Of the total area, 170 acres comprise undrainable swamp. Nineteen settlers have been established as dairy-farmers, and the group maintains sixty-two adults and eighty-six children. The health of the community has been good, and there have been no outbreaks of disease. An area of 1,120 acres is in good pastures, while the balance consists of rough pastures and swamps. In the Onewhero area, settlers require careful supervision and attention to ensure good farm husbandry. A new water-supply system using windmills was installed during the year. Housing conditions show an improvement, but further dwellings are necessary. In the Opuatia area all settlers have made efforts to improve their holdings. The housing conditions there are satisfactory. One settler who is making a good effort to improve his holding is established on the Mercer section. Timber is on the ground to erect a new house on this property. Live-stock at 31st March included 34-6 cows, 91 dairy weaners, and 32 horses. At Maramarua, Mangatangi, and Waikarakia, this group consists of twelve active settlers with forty-seven dependants. A total area of 1,929 acres is under the scheme. There are some 610 acres in fair to good pasture, and approximately 710 acres capable of profitable improvement, of which 500 acres are ploughable. Live-stock on this portion of the scheme includes 210 dairy cows, 58 dry stock, and 16 horses. The Natives in the Maramarua and Mangatangi sections are now well established, and little in the way of employment contract work has been carried out owing to the properties being in a sufficiently advanced state of development to be practically self-supporting. However, the question of the future of Waikarakia section is under consideration, since it has not been a success to date. The area in grass and the portion capable of profitable development comprise for the most part mediumquality undulating hill country, which with top-dressing and stocking should carry a good sole of grass. The health of the Natives on the whole has been very satisfactory. They are industrious, and anxious to support themselves through their own efforts. Two new cottages, one cow-shed, and three sheds were erected on this portion of the scheme during the year. Oparure. Comprising an area of 603 acres near Te Kuiti and Oparure, of which 317 acres are under active development, this scheme supports two settlers, who have been successfully established at Oparure with sheep and dairy cows, while a third holding near Te Kuiti is being cleared. The soil on this scheme varies from light loam to heavy clay. There are 200 acres in permanent pasture, 20 acres in temporary pasture, while the balance is in scrub, fern, tutu, blackberry, and ragwort, which is gradually being cleared. The scheme maintains twelve adults and nineteen children, and the health of the people has been good. Two settlers are well housed, while a new dwelling is being built for the remaining farmer. Livestock includes 47 dairy cows, 8 other dairy stock, 58 run cattle, 204 ewes, and 140 dry sh © p.

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