G.—lo.

of 20,000 gallons for storing rain-water drained from the roof. A whare, six miles from the homestead, has been converted into a four-roomed cottage for a married shepherd, shearer's accommodation has been brought up to award requirements, and a killing-shed has been rebuilt. Further accommodation for married shepherds is contemplated during the ensuing year. As experienced by neighbouring farmers, the past season has proved unsuitable for fattening wethers, the feed having lacked the substance necessary despite fairly prolific growth. Wethers, numbering 17,000, and 2,500 head of cattle have been carried, with the object of improving the pastures for breeding, and the results are satisfactory as regards ewes and hoggets, the property presenting a clean appearance in readiness for an increase in the number of breeding-ewes. The best ewe lambs bred on the property are all retained for the purpose of building up the flock. The stock tallies at the 31st March were 29,356 sheep and 3,276 cattle, and the wool-clip amounted to 632 bales. The question of the two general reserves set aside for the beneficiaries is being clarified, and definite areas are to be fenced and allocated to family groups in accordance with the desires of the Native owners. Although it is not anticipated that the year's working will show a profit, the station is fully stocked, and the good condition of the property generally should ensure future returns. Hoia Station. This property, containing an area of 6,514 acres, situated at Hicks Bay, in the Matakaoa County, comprises part of the assets of the East Coast Maori Soldiers' Fund. The major portion of this station is extremely hilly and includes about 2,000 acres of bush which it is considered uneconomic to fell, but the Waikohu Block of 1,393 acres, which was acquired some years ago to offset the proportion of unworkable hill country, is reasonably easy land and includes some 450 acres of good flats, part of which is alluvial. This block is being gradually ploughed and sown down in English grasses. The main improvement effected during the year was 300 acres of second-burn, and the sowing of grass over this area. Particulars of other works carried out are given in the schedule following, and, wherever possible, unemployed Natives in the district are given suitable employment on the station. This property is now producing sufficient sheep to meet its requirements for flock renewals, and 657 ewes and 645 wethers were sold to development schemes in the Rotorua district in accordance with the policy of the Department to use its own resources in the various phases of development of Native lands. The wool-clip for the season amounted to 113 bales. Compensation has been assessed on three of the leases which have already expired, and during the next two years the leases of Wharekahika 8a and 18l will also expire. Under the terms of both of these last-mentioned leases, the lessee is entitled to full compensation for all improvements of a permanent character, or, in the alternative, to a right of renewal for a further term of twenty-one years. The remaining lease over Wharekahika Bc, comprising 1,054 acres, continues until 1953. Hereheretau Station. This station comprises an area of 3,838 acres, situated eighteen miles from Wairoa and six miles off the main highway through Whakahi. In the main the land is very hilly but wellwatered fertile country with a small area of ploughable flats. Over half the area is now sown down in English grasses, the pastures being in good condition, and the balance is mostly cleared of scrub. Goats have been used to check the growth of blackberry, which in the past infested the property, and by this means the weed is kept under control and should eventually be eradicated. The working of this property, which is of great potential value, is hampered by poor roading-facilities, and the County Council is being approached with regard to the formation of a road in a better location. One mile of the present route has never been properly formed and has been maintained by the station. Owing to the contour of the country and the many small streams flowing through it, fences and floodgates have been severely damaged as a result of the heavy rainfall experienced in the autumn and require considerable attention. In some cases tracks have been completely washed out. During the year a further 150 acres of bush were burned and sown, a good strike of grass following, and this area has been fenced. The stock carried comprises 6,584 sheep and 522 cattle, and the wool-clip amounted to 162 bales. Hakurenga Station. This farm, which is located near Waipiro Bay, on the East Coast, comprises several subdivisions of the Waipiro Block, and contains a total area of 2,817 acres. The contour of the country is fairly easy hills but the pastures generally require constant crushing with cattle to be kept in order. Each season a portion is ploughed and sown in swedes, and the following year is laid down in English grasses. The programme of rehabilitation has been continued during the past year, and the stock is in a much more healthy condition. An abundance of feed, due to plenteous rains experienced, has necessitated additional purchases of cattle, and at the 31st of March the station was carrying 578 head and 3,704 sheep.

11— G. 10.

81