G—lo

Waiapu During the past year the only work undertaken was of a maintenance nature. Extensive repairs to existing fencing were made, while draining and grassing were carried out where possible. The Poroporo Stream dried up for the greater part of its length for the first time on record. "Wherever possible, oats for green feed were sown as soon as domestic or other crops were out of the ground, but the absence of rain prevented growth, and little extra feed will be gained from this until winter. Water-supply installations gave satisfactory supplies with the exception of Hahau where the flow became small and could not cope with the demand. It is clear that this supply is overloaded, and efforts will be made to increase supplies to the unit connections. A major water scheme to supply all units at Tikapa has been commenced by the damning of a good, spring with ample water and the building of a 6,000-gallon reservoir in the hills above. An engine and pump has been obtained, and the whole scheme will be completed for use of units next summer. Wharekahika - Te Araroa The extensive tree-planting of previous years was furthered during the year, and when the plantations attain maturity a much felt need will be filled. Though a large expenditure of money has cleared extensive areas of land and provided them with fencing and, surface sowing, the time has arrived when the advent off mechanized means of cultivation and improved supplies of fertilizer should bring about much more intensive use of the warm land in the belt near the sea. So far it has not been possible to do much more than preliminary work. In the Te Araroa scheme there are four areas run as stations all of which have shown profits and, with the exception of Rangiata, have reduced their liabilities at last balance date. Marangairoa 1a 2-4 had a credit of £958 with the Department, £6OO of which was paid to the owners by way of a dividend. AOTEA NATIVE LAND COURT DISTRICT The Aotea District comprises an area the boundaries of which extend from White Cliffs (Parinihinihi) in the North Taranaki Bight and extend across country to Tarawera, some miles west of Lake Taupo, and thence in an irregular south-westerly direction to the sea at the mouth of the Rangitikei River. The district includes the ancestral domains of several notable tribes whose deeds are recorded in the history of the Dominion —namely, the NgatiHau (Wanganui), Ngarauru, Ngati-Ruanui, Taranaki, Ati-Awa, Ngati-Apa, Ngati-Pikiahu-Waewae, Ngati-Hauiti, Ngati-Whiti-Tama, and Ngati-Tuwharetoa. Large .areas of land are available for development in the ManunuiTokaanu area, and the prosecution of further large-scale development on these schemes should be undertaken as soon as modern mechanized plant is available to clear and cultivate the land. The aggregate butterfat-production for the year was 374,919 lb., showing a decrease of 1| per cent, on the output for the previous year. In view of the unusually dry summer which prevailed, this result is considered satisfactory, but was largely attributable to the fact that dairying was commenced by four units in the spring of 1945. It would appear that some units may have a difficult year during 1946-47, as in certain instances it was not possible for adequate supplies of hay to be saved, and in other cases crops

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