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Mangawai, Block (1,862 Acres). This block comprises part of tie Mangawai Kauri-gum Reserve originally rich in gum deposits, but which now offers reasonable prospects of successful development and farming. The main drain, 227 chains in length, 18 ft. to 20 ft. wide, and 8 ft. to 10 ft. deep, with the necessary subsidiary drains, has effectively dewatered the whole of the swamp, and at the same time has provided an outlet for water from several adjoining properties. The filling-m of gum holes with man-power was both expensive and unsatisfactory, and it was decided to employ a bulldozer, which not only does the work in a fraction of the time but also consolidates the ground as it goes. Cultivation and grassing have proceeded according to programme, and 850 acres have been sown in new pasture. The growth during the year has been excellent, and it was possible to dispose of a number of first-class fat bullocks. Dairying is now possible on the older grassed areas. Puriri Block (1,417 Acres). This is part of a larger area acquired in 1933 from Messrs. Puriri, Ltd - ., Long and Brown, and known as the Mangatete Farm Settlement. The block comprises undulating to hilly good-quality country, the bush on which had been worked over by one of the timber companies. The procedure has been to fell the remaining bush in winter, burn and sow in permanent pasture in the following autumn, and proceed with fencing to enable control with sheep and cattle. The new grass sown to date totals 1,315 acres, and this completes the programme. The main development work during the year comprised boundary fencing, some further subdivisional fencing, and minor logging-up. Edgecumbe Block (7,308 Acres). The block comprises an amalgamation of the original Edgecumbe Block (Crown land set apart in 1937), two sections which originally formed part of the Orini Settlement, and part of the Tarawera Block. Excellent progress was made during the year with the grassing, an additional 2,000 acres being sown. The area in permanent grass now totals 5,270 acres. Other work undertaken included the installation of a gravity water-supply on the Edgecumbe area, fencing, and draining. The carryingcapacity of the block is rapidly increasing, and in addition to the station stock 1,000 dairy calves are now being run for later transfer to dairy-farms in the district. Development is about 75 per cent, completed, and if the original programme is carried out all grassing will be finished in 1942. It should then be possible to establish about ten dairy units, others to follow as the swamp and pastures consolidate. Hoe-o-Tainui Block (1,439 Acres). Work on this area, which is situated on the Morrinsville-Ohinemuri Road, was commenced in 1935. The land is easy to hilly with some peat swamp of varying depths. The original intention was to confine development to 700 acres of the easiest country, but as this was brought in, activities were extended over a larger area. Five hundred cows were milked during the past year on twelve dairy units, and the returns were entirely satisfactory. Pasture improvement has been steady, and some of the hill country is now carrying well-established dairy pasture. Improvement work was carried out on a further 200 acres of peat swamp, but it will be some time before this is completely grassed. Development is complete except for the consolidation and grassing of this swamp area. Kerepeehi Block (1,632 Acres). The Kerepeehi Block originally comprised 1,100 acres taken over from the Hauraki Plains Account in 1938, but it has since been extended by the addition of three further areas totalling 532 acres. Considerable progress has been made with the development of the shallow peat country, the main works carried out comprising draining, clearing, grassing, and fencing. Consolidation and crushing of the swamp growth with cattle and sheep is an important part of the work. Although only limited areas of pasture are available for stock-fattening, some remarkably good bullocks were marketed during the year. The block is stocked in conjunction with Pouarua, for which it is proving increasingly valuable. Pouarua Block (10,476 Acres). This is an area on the Hauraki Plains and comprises mainly deep peat lands on which draining and roading had been commenced prior to its being taken over by the Small Farms Board in 1937. Since then, considerable clearing, grassing, and fencing have been carried out, and the new grass sown totals 3,040 acres. Very satisfactory progress has been made with the consolidation of the peat areas previously sown in grass. As in the case of Edgecumbe, sheep and cattle play an important part in the consolidation of the swamp areas, and stock generally do remarkably well. Mihi Block (21,882 Acres). This block comprises an amalgamation of abandoned sections in the Reporoa Settlement, freeholds purchased, and Crown land set apart. Of the total area, 9,836 acres comprise the Strathmore Estate, purchased in November, 1940, from the Finance Corporation of New Zealand, a separate note on which is supplied in the report under the Land for Settlements Act, 1925. Clearing, cultivation, grassing, and fencing have been proceeded with during the year, and this work is now being speeded up by the letting of contracts for cultivation. Pastures previously sown have made a very encouraging improvement. With further consolidation and the provision of a gravity water-supply from a suitable source on the block, extensive areas of easy land will be available for subdivision into suitable dairying country.

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