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C.—l

Mihi (formerly Paeroa) Block (12,070 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland.) Clearing of scrub, cultivation, and grassing has proceeded well on this block, and the first stock were brought on to graze the pastures early in the year. The area sown in grass is 1,461 acres, and a further 124 acres is in a swede crop. Other activities included fencing, draining, planting of shelter-belts, and detail work in connection with the arrangement of stock. Pasture establishment on this land is fairly rapid, and the land is healthy for stock. This land will undoubtedly prove suitable for dairying after a reasonable period to allow for pasture improvement and consolidation. 1 1 Waikite Block (6,206 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland.) A start was made with cultivation and sowing during August, and excellent progress has been made m pasture establishment, 1,083 acres being cultivated and 867 acres sown during the year. Other activities on the area include draining, fencing, and formation of tracks. A commencement was made by the Public Works Department to construct a new road through the block to link Ngakuru with Waiotapu. The completion of this work will provide a link between the various blocks m this district and greatly facilitate the interchange of plant and stock. The land will unquestionably be very suitable for settlement for dairying. Whirinalci Block (1,320 Acres). (Control : Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland.) The clearing of scrub and draining of several small swampy areas was put in hand, and at the close of the year arrangements were in hand to move plant to proceed with extensive cultivation and grassing. The prospects for successful pasture establishment are assured. Part Murupara Block (180 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland.) A five-acre stand of lucerne has been established, the pastures have been reconditioned and fences and other improvements overhauled ready for dairying. A dairy herd is available, and milking will be commenced in the coming season. Pouarua Block (10,476 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland.) Draining, roading, clearing, and grassing were actively proceeded with on this block during the year, and a steady mprovement in the pastures previously sown was effected by judicious grazing with cattle and sheep. The preliminary drain-construction has been practically completed, and future work will -consist of widening and deepening as the land subsides. A total of approximately 1,700 acres has been grassed, and a further 800 acres is being sown. The progress made in establishing pasture and consolidating the land with stock is very encouraging. Kerepeehi Extension Block (1,574 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland.) The programme of development embracing draining, clearing, and grassing was vigorously proceeded with during the year, and marked improvement was effected in the previously partly consolidated portions of the block. It is anticipated that in a few years this area will provide a considerable area suita-ble lor fattening the bullocks used for crushing and consolidating the deep peat areas on the adjoining Pouarua Block. Hoe-o-Tainui Block (1,439 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland.) The draining, fencing, and extension of the water-supply were the main activities in this area. Dairying, including all necessary farm work, top-dressing, haymaking, and the growing of root crops, was carried out on twelve fully-equipped dairy-farms. Very good returns were obtained from the twelve dairy-farms, and as the pastures improve these returns will steadily increase. Arohena Block (3,987 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land Development, Te Kuiti.) Development work has consisted mainly of the clearing, stumping, burning, and sowing of unploughable country, and the clearing and cropping of easy country. Good crops have been sown, and considerable areas are now in permanent grasses. Old pastures have been renovated by top-dressing and surface sowing of grasses. The necessary sheep-yards, wool-sheds, and dip have been erected and farm buildings constructed. As a whole, the marked improvement in the new and treated pastures and in the oontrol of ragwort gives good promise for future stocking and production. The work is approximately 50 per cent, completed. Bain's Block (169 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land Development, Te Kuiti.) Operations on this block have continued, and it is reported that; work is approximately 90 per cent, completed.

2—C. 1.

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