C.—l

Blocks in Course of Development in the North Auckland Land District.

Auckland Land District. Onepu Block (800 Acres). (Control: Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland.) On this block nine settlers are in occupation, two sections having been amalgamated. J.he dry summer and autumn of 1939 affected the pastures severely, and the Department lias endeavoured to encourage the settlers to grow more lucerne and paspalum, and to spell their stock 011 other pastures for the winter months. It is felt that in this way the Onepu Block will become a satisfactory producing area. Tarawera Block (933 Acres). (Control: Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland.) Nine sections are occupied by married settlers, while the remaining one is used in conjunction with the block extension which is being developed. Most of the sections have become useful dairy-farms and production should increase in normal seasons. ' The lighter sections, which were affected by the drought conditions of last summer require further improvement to their pastures to bring them up to full production. Wainui South Block (784 Acres). (Control: Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland.) This block comprises seven dairy-farms ranging from 68 acres to 168 acres. To show what can be done, one section of 108 acres is carrying sixty dairy cows and twelve eighteen-month heifers (in addition to calves, horses, and pigs), 80 tons of hay and 40 tons of ensilage have been harvested, and 6 acres of root crops have been grown. The butterfat-production should exceed 13,500 lb. The whole block is very successful. Part Wharere Block (233 Acres). (Control: Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland.) Five settlers are established 011 this portion of the block, the balance being under development by the Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland. Dredging operations have minimized the danger of floods, and the dry autumn suited the block admirably. The returns show an appreciable increase, and with careful attention to top-dressing the pastures, and good stock management, the block should make steady progress. Murupura Block (1,368 Acres). (Control: Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland.) This block, which is adjacent to the Galatea Station, comprises fifteen farms. Of these, thirteen are occupied by married men and their families, one is used temporarily by two other settlers, and one section is available for application. The area suffered from the dry spell of the late summer and autumn of 1939, but the gradual establishment of lucerne stands and the growing of more root crops will gradually bring the block into full production.

7

Number of Stock Carried. Block. Area. Men ———- employed. Sheep. Dairy Cattle. Bun Cattle. Horses. Pigs. Acres. Mangawai .. .. 1,856 4 301 2 £ uriri . 1.400 10 1,086 .. 299 5 Kaitaia .. .. 2,194 17 .. 371 .. 12 Totals.. 5 »450 31 1,686 371 600 19 Sales. Butterfat. Wool. Cattle. Sheep. Pigs Block. Pounds. Value. Pounds. | Value. Number. Value. Number. Value. Number. Value. £ £ £ f n Mangawai .... .. is Puriri .. .... . . Kaitaia.. .. 54,817 3,532 '45 180 ii 6 Totals .. 54,817 3,532 .. .. 46 185 77 ~ He 3lT