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from the shortage of materials. Two all-weather roads have been completed, also the fencing, except for abont 50 chains. For winter feed 120 acres of chou moellier has been sown. It is anticipated that charges will be fixed and the sections permanently allotted next June. Kaheka (Locality: Tutira). —Area, 10,505 acres. Acquired, Ist February, 1938. Not yet subdivided. This is a sheep and pasture run rising steeply to the centre, broken with gorges and carrying a heavy coverage of manuka scrub* on the inaccessible country at the back. A very small percentage of the whole is ploughable. In addition to the 40 acres of terrrace land ploughed out of lea last season since sown in rape and now in grass, a further 45 acres has been ploughed and sown down in chou moellier and swedes. A tender was accepted for the construction of a new wool-shed, shearers' quarters, and a dip. The shearers' quarters are almost completed and a start has been made with the wool-shed. Owing to the lack of fencing-wire the erection of some 108 chains of boundary fencing dependent upon making a unit available for ex-serviceman settlement has been delayed. A further 200 acres of reversionary scrub will be cleared shortly, and a large amount of the felled scrub has been burnt and surface sown. Kakariki (Locality : Kotemaori). —Area, 19,213 acres. Acquired, 1931. Not yet subdivided. A high hill-country station with a comparatively large area of ploughable land. The more inaccessible parts are broken by gorges and carry a heavy coverage of manuka scrub. Approximately 5,000 acres of this area does not carry stock. Development work has been confined to sowing a small acreage of permanent pasture and the cutting of a further area of reversionary scrub. Useful strikes of surface-sown grass have been obtained on the resultant burns. A more vigorous development programme has been limited by a lack of essential labour and materials. Kabbit infestation is bad and a heavy killing policy is being continued. Malcarini Farm Settlement (Locality: Hastings). —Area, 1,789 acres. Acquired 3rd March, 1947. Subdivision not decided. This is good country and should prove a good fat-lamb proposition. A water-supply will have to be provided, also new houses as well as implement-sheds, but roading and fencing should not prove costly as this block lends itself to easy subdivision. Some 103 acres of good-quality flat land situated at Twyford which was also acquired should make two good dairy-farms. Little development beyond building one dwelling and two cow-bails will be required, as there is an adequate water-supply and fencing is fair. Mount Cameron (Locality: Puketapu). —Area, 2,009 acres. Acquired, 19th August, 1946. Subdivided, three sheep-farms. The property is in the process of being subdivided, and house-sites for the sections have been selected. The extermination of rabbits is well in hand. The fencing is good, and the block will not require extensive development before it is offered for selection. Omajpere (Locality: Hastings).—Area, 2,807 acres. Acquired, Ist February, 1945. Subdivided, six sheep-farms. This settlement has been further developed on a large scale, 150 acres of river flat previously thickly covered with gorse has been cleared and cultivated and is now in permanent pasture. In addition, top-dressing, liming, and sowing in subterranean clover has been completed, and winter feed has been provided. Some six miles of. new fencing and approximately three miles of repair work has been carried out. Two extra water-supplies have been provided, and these, together with the existing water-supply, will prove a great benefit in drought seasons. The infestation by rabbits of this property has caused concern, but the pest is being controlled. All buildings have been completed, and it is expected that charges will be fixed shortly and permanent titles issued to the ex-servicemen, who are at present on wages. Oringi (Locality : Dannervirke). —Area, 348 acres. Acquired, 28th February, 1946. Subdivided, three dairy-farms. Except for the building programme, which has been commenced, the development on this block is practically completed. The extensive fencing programme is finished and 30 chains of internal roading have been completed. The water-supply scheme has been completed except for the connecting-up of the electric-power supply. At present, while awaiting balloting for dairying, the property has been utilized for fattening bullocks. These cattle have done exceptionally well and have helped to improve the pasture.

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