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Tahaia Block (661 Acres), (Locality : Tahaia). —This area is badly infested with gorse, but good progress in eradication has been made during the year. A new house has been erected. A further area of 556 acres of Crown land has been added to the block and a comprehensive programme of development has been prepared. Tapuwae Block (3,328 Acres), (Locality: Poro-o-tarao). —Practically half of this area is now developed. Cobaltized superphosphate is still being applied to this block and extensive use is made of limonite licks to combat sheep-sickness. The pasture on this block is well consolidated. Tarata Block (188 Acres), (Locality : Ngahape).—This block was taken over during the year and a dairy herd has been milked throughout the season on a share-milking basis. In July next two sections will be allotted to ex-servicemen, of which the sharemilker is one. This is particularly desirable dairying country. All improvements necessary have been erected. Te Kowhai Block (303 Acres), (Locality : Te Kowhai).— This block of dairying -country was acquired for ex-servicemen settlement in June, 1945. One section was allotted in August following. A further three sections are to be settled in July next. All the required buildings and other improvements will be completed by then. Vincent's Block (196 Acres), (Locality: Otorohanga).—The pastures on this block suffered during the exceptionally dry summer, and reconditioning will be necessary. •Grass-grub is in evidence in some of the paddocks. It is possible that settlement will be proceeded with next year. Waihuka Block (2,539 Acres), (Locality : Waimiha). —Generally the pasture on this .area is improving, and the property came through the dry summer very well. There is a large area still undeveloped owing to no work being done thereon during the war years through lack of labour and manure. The ewe flock is being increased. Waitanguru Block (10,466 Acres), (Locality : Waitanguru).—A large portion of this block is still in the development stage, as work of this nature was curtailed during the war years. Due to heavy stocking and lack of sufficient manure, the pastures have weakened considerably. Stock have done remarkably well, due, no doubt, to the use of cobaltized superphosphate. Control of ragwort and fern has been very satisfactory. Watson's Block (1,051 Acres), (Locality : Waitomo). —The developed portion of this block is in fair condition. Pastures were not affected to a great extent by the dry season, but will require heavy manuring to effect any improvement. This block will be made available for settlement in 1947. Wharepa'pa Block (3,140 Acres), (Locality: Te Awamutu). —Development of this block is practically completed. Being light country, the pastures suffered considerably during the dry spell. Large areas were grassed during the war years, and with a consequent lightening of the manure available per acre a forward movement in the pasture could not be expected. Nine ex-servicemen are to be settled on a wages basis this year and one prospective seftler under the Waikato Land Settlement Scheme. The existing water-supply has been extended and a further 400 acres, approximately, reticulated. The block is being reticulated with electric power. Whataroa Block (1,256 Acres), (Locality : Te Kuiti). —This area, taken over for settlement of ex-servicemen, is to be settled in June. Seven sections will be available, and the necessary houses, milking-sheds, pig-houses, calf-houses, implement-sheds, fencing, and water schemes have been completed. The country is of easy rolling contour and lies well to the sun. The pasture stood up well during the dry spell. There is still 384 acres, mostly swamp country, which is to be developed when satisfactory arrangements can be. made with the Mangapu Drainage Board for the construction of a main drain. Electric power was laid on during the past year. Whatauri Block (566 Acres), (Locality : Te Awamutu). —This block, which adjoins . Wharepapa, is being prepared for settlement. Fencing, roading, building, and water Xiticulation has been completed and electric power is being laid on. Two ex-servicemen who have been milking on the dairy bonus system will take over their sections in July. It is possible that two further dairying sections will be available two to three years hence.

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