a.—lo.

not too satisfactory. The time is now opportune—indeed, an urgent necessity—for the established milkers to be given the benefit of correct instruction and expert advice in dairy-farming husbandry. The scheme maintains eleven settlers with fifty dependants, as well as twenty-six unemployed workers with forty-five dependants. The health of the community has been good. All of the settlers are accommodated in first-class cottages. A flock of 1,000 breeding ewes has been carried, but more sheep will be required in the spring to control ragwort. Fifteen bales of wool produced were sold at the last Auckland sale, and during the year 101 prime bullocks were also sold. The best pastures on this scheme have proved to be those which have been stocked only with sheep and bullocks. Previous to last season correct summer stocking was greatly hampered owing to lack of sufficient water, but a good supply system has now been installed. J J Waikato. J hi® property is another " blanket " scheme, scattered throughout the Gordonton, H untly. Tauhei, Parawera, Rangiriri, and Whatawhata districts, and comprises a total area of 675 acres. ' Of this area, development has been concentrated upon 550 acres occupied by twelve settlers, whose dependants number twenty-five adults and fifty-three children. The soil generally is good. There are approximately 32 acres of good alluvial flats, 40 acres of~ sandy loam, 475 acres of good clay loam with good carrying-capacity, and approximately 30 acres of swamp which can be drained. Practically the whole of the area is ploughable. Two of the settlers at Parawera are running sheep and cows successfully, and ragwort, which was prevalent, has been kept under control with the sheep. Housing conditions on most of the areas are satisfactory, and the health of the people has been good. All settlers take a great interest in farm-development, and are anxious to improve their position. Although the holdings are small, the average being 46 acres, the land has a high carryingcapacity. One new house was erected during the year, and two milking-sheds are in the course of Construction. Live-stock, as at 31st March, included 171 milking-cows, 64 other dairy stock, 220 sheep, and 19 horses. Waipipi. Comprising an area of 282 acres of gum land which has come into good dairying-country, this scheme is practically fully developed, and consists of undulating country on a clay formation which is all ploughable. The scheme is locally known as Hakona, and is situated on the slopes rising above the Waiuku River about six miles from Waiuku by road. Approximately 274 acres are in permanent pasture with a few acres remaining in scrub. Five dairying settlers have been established for some years. Live-stock on the scheme as at 31st March included 115 dairy cows, 31 other dairy stock, and 9 working-horses. Housing' conditions are not altogether satisfactory, but improvements will be effected during the coming year. The scheme maintains eleven adults and fourteen children, and the health of this community has been good. Waitomo. Consisting of scattered holdings throughout the northern end of the Waitomo County, this scheme comprises 1,022 acres varying in quality—approximately 50 acres of rich swamp land, 180 acres of flat to rolling country, 300 acres of light friable loam, and the balance of good clay hill country. Practically the whole area is capable of development. Eight settlers have been established, and dairying is being undertaken on the heavier low-lying country, while sheep and run cattle are being depastured on the larger and hill areas. The scheme maintains forty-seven adults and eighty children, and the health of this community has been good throughout the year. There are approximately 605 acres in permanent pasture, and the balance in fern, bush, and scrub. All this particular territory has been badly infested with ragwort, gorse, and blackberry, but these noxious weeds are now being kept under control. Live-stock at 31st March, 1938, included 98 dairy cows, 43 other dairy stock, 67 run cattle, 475 ewes, and 192 dry sheep. Housing conditions are only fair repairs to two cottages are necessary ; while provision has been made to erect three new houses, two of which are under construction. The other three settlers are provided with satisfactory houses. The Natives are on the whole a good type, and are making Commendable efforts to improve their holdings and to become successful farmers. Waikato-Maniapoto (South Auckland) District. During the year the Employment Promotion Fund was called on to the extent of £8,733 for the assistance of settlers not otherwise financed through the Department. This sum provided assistance to 112 workers, who had dependent on them 91 adults and 210 children. Details of the work performed are as follows : — Acres Bushfelling and clearing .. .. . . . . _ _ . . 2 465 Grassing and cultivations .. .. .. . . . _ _ _ ' qq7 ; Chains. r encmg, new .. .. .. . . , . . 2 492 Fencing repairs .. .. .. .. Draining, new .. .. .. .. .. . _ j 730 Draining repairs .. .. .. .. ~ 220 .. . Number, rost-splittmg .. . . . . ~ _ g oqq Batten-splitting .. . . 39' qqq Strainers .. . . . . . . ' 272 Cottages erected .. .. .. .. .. 2 Cow-sheds erected .. .. .. .. ~ _ 4

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