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by the Health Department's Inspector has been installed, and is laid on to the workmen's cottages by means of a hydraulic ram. As well as the workmen, nineteen married women and fifty-six children are dependent on the property, and their health has been good. In addition to the development work detailed in the tables, 4,000 posts, 14,815 battens, 667 strainers, and 413 stays were split for fences ; 35,695 ft. (log measurement) of timber were sent to the mill; one cottage was rebuilt and six hutments erected for workers. At the end of March approximately 1,125 acres were in surface-sown grass. The programme to be carried out next season will embrace the cutting of 500 acres of tea-tree, the grubbing of rushes, draining, fencing, the top-dressing of the grassed areas, and the installation of several dams to conserve the water-supply. Stock on the property comprises 48 working-bullocks and 186 run cattle. Panguru. This farm contains an area of 302 acres. There is little to report on this place as development is completed, except to mention that, when roading access is provided to the back of the farm, two settlers will be established. Pokapu. Located near Otiria, this property of 770 acres was described in former parliamentary reports as the Motatau Farm. This area is mainly in grass, but the back portion of the block contains a large swamp of some 250 acres, and some creek straightening has been undertaken on the property. During the past three months six men have been employed on clearing standing bush and tea-tree and digging cuts across the bends on the main stream to facilitate the dispersal of rising flood-waters from the swamp and to provide rough grazing during dry seasons. Top-dressing of the pastures was carried out, while approximately 20 tons of hay were saved for winter feed. The spring months were unfavourable for the stock, but there has been a surplus of feed during the latter part of the season. As at the 31st March, 1939, the live-stock on the property consisted of 70 cows, 36 other dairy stock, 93 run cattle, 248 breeding-ewes, and 112 dry sheep. Pouto. Although 9,000 acres have been gazetted under this scheme, which is situated in an isolated locality at the entrance to the Kaipara Harbour, active development is confined to an area of 2,300 acres which has been ring-fenced and partly subdivided. Commendable interest and helpful assistance was rendered to the Native workmen by the neighbouring European farmers, and the action of one of these settlers in donating a cup to be competed for by the Natives, who have been installed in up-to-date cottages, is laudable. The purpose of the competition is to encourage a domestic pride in the gardening and household activities of the Native families. An award will be made in the ensuing year. An area of 500 acres is fully developed as a grazing proposition, and it was necessary this year to appoint an experienced stockman. In addition, a number of unemployed Natives from the Pupuke district was engaged to facilitate the work. The 350 acre swamp is coming into production rapidly, and when fully grassed this area will be invaluable for supporting the higher and drier country. In common with other parts of the North, climatic conditions have been severe particularly on the coastal land, but, nevertheless, the stock has come through fairly well. Particulars as to the work undertaken, the people supported, and other details are given in the appended tables. The live-stock carried comprised 175 run cattle, 485 breeding-owes, and 597 dry sheep. Ruataniwha. Comprising an area of 227 acres, this block, which is situated about seven miles from Kaikohe, was taken over from the State Advances Corporation in the early part of the year. The country is flat to undulating, and is covered with a volcanic rock. A new boundary fence of 224 chains has been erected this year, while 80 chains of fences have been repaired. Twenty-four men are at present engaged in clearing the scoria and erecting subdivisional stone walls. Two heavy harrows made of railway girders have given good service in loosening stones and in the crushing of the fern and blackberry. The question of installing an efficient water-supply on the property will be given early consideration. This area, amalgamated with the adjoining Native holdings, will later be subdivided into workable holdings. The stock comprises thirty-six bullocks.

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