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to be well maintained. The success of this scheme was greatly endangered during the drought by scrub fires, but strenuous fire-fighting efforts saved the area. One shelter clump of 1,000 Pirms pinaster planted in 1941 was burnt, while several thousand trees planted in 1944 45 season died owing to the dry weather. Oturei Arrangements are well in hand to prepare and subdivide a portion of the farm for settlement this coming dairy season by three Maori ex-servicemen, together with the erection of three cottages and three cow-sheds and an adequate water-supply. Roading also will be given attention. The remainder of the scheme needs further development before it will be suitable for subdivision into farms. Oturu This scheme, situated, handy to Kaitaia, is now ready for subdivision into dairy-farms, and it is intended to establish four ex-servicemen as dairy-farmers this coming season. A commencement has been made in the erection of buildings. During the past few months run cattle and sheep carried on the scheme have been gradually disposed of and replaced with good-quality dairy heifers which will provide the nucleus of dairy herds for the prospective settlers. POKAPU No extensive new work was undertaken during the year and general management was very difficult in view of drought conditions. Two classes of farming are undertaken on this scheme: sheep and cattle grazing on the back portion, with dairy-farming on the front areas. In an endeavour to keep the dairy herd in production it was necessary to make available a portion of the block usually grazed by run cattle, and although no undue losses occurred, the condition of the run cattle was seriously affected. The numbers of breeding-ewes and run cows have been reduced with a view to conserving winter feed. PoUTU There has been very little fresh development work carried out during the year, except that 50 acres has been sown in permanent pasture. The stock is looking exceptionally well. Most of the disposal stock has sold well on the market at Westfield or on hooks at the freezing-works. It is anticipated there will be a draft of beef cattle ready for the winter market, to be followed by a good draft of fat lambs during the season. On the whole, the year's operations have been very satisfactory. Ruataniwha No active development has been undertaken on this scheme, which consists mainly of volcanic rock, for some years. Until a suitable water-supply is installed and fertilizer is available the area will be grazed by Tautoro Base Farm live-stock. It is divided into ten paddocks and was purchased for development in conjunction with surrounding areas. Alone this property could not be worked economically. Tautoro Capital works undertaken on this scheme during the year were the construction of two and a, half miles of internal roading, excavation and. metalling of the road from the wool-shed to the main road, the erection of a new two-horse stable and feed-room, while 30 acres previously cropped were laid down in permanent pasture.

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