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Kotuku (Locality : Marton). —Area, 491 acres. Acquired, 30th November, 1945. Subdivisions, four dairy-farms. Three new houses, cow-sheds, and implement-sheds, have been erected, access roading completed and fenced, and 50 chains new internal fencing erected. The whole property is to be mole drained and outlets tiled ; this work is well in hand. Certain tile draining is to be undertaken. Pastures are in splendid order, and a dairy herd it to be established for the coming season to ascertain how this, country "stands up to dairying, and, if successful, " A " Grade ex-servicemen settlers will be established on the sections for commencement of 1948-49 season. A manager was appointed with right to an undefined section, and one other undefined section has been balloted on wages. Longridge (Locality: Masterton). —Area, 1,889 acres. Acquired, 31st Janaury, 1945. Subdivisions, four sheep-farms. Development of this block was completed and charges were fixed for settlers to take over their sections for 1946-47 season. Makirikiri (Location : Turakina). —Area, 1,188 acres. Purchased, 28th February, 1947. Subdivision, four fat-lamb and supplementary cropping units. Developmentincludes buildings, fencing, cultivation, water-supply, mole draining, and regrassing. A fairly extensive regrassing programme is necessary, as much of the existing pasture has deteriorated to inferior grasses. Gorse will require intensive eradication. Manager has-right to an undefined section, and action will be taken to ballot further units assoon as accommodation is available. Purchase of a further 251 acres is under negotiation. Milson (Locality : Palmerston North). —Area, 347 acres. Purchased, Ist October, 1945. Subdivisions, six dairy-farms. Fifty-eight acres has been taken over by the Disabled Servicemen's Re-establishment League, and five sections were balloted and allotted to "A " Grade ex-servicemen, who are on wages. Charges are to be fixed on the individual sections prior to next milking season. The development programme comprised erection of four new dwellings and cow-sheds, five implement-sheds, renovations to existing cottage, 318 chains new fencing, 218 chains fencing repaired, extension to water-supply, and a major tile draining scheme supervised and controlled by Massey College Staff. Morburn (Location: Masterton). —Area, 173 acres. Acquired 9th May, 1945. Subdivisions, two dairy and agricultural farming units. Development completed and charges were fixed and settlers established on their sections at commencement of last season. Morland (Location : Masterton). —Area, 3,515 acres. Purchased, 31st March, 1947. Subdivision, three sheep-farms. Purchase of adjoining land is being investigated, and, if successful, this will influence the subdivision and development programme. Nireaha (Location : Eketahuna). —Area, 197 acres. Purchased, 29th October, 1946. Subdivisions, two dairy-farms. Development, which included one new dwelling, cow-shed, and implement-shed, fencing, draining, water reticulation, and cultivation, has been completed. A manager with right to an undefined section was appointed, and the second section will be balloted and charges fixed on both units before commencement of 1947-48 season. Okajpea (Location : Hihitahi). —Area, 3,200 acres. Purchased, 28th February, 1947. Subdivision, six sheep units. An "A " Grade ex-serviceman is manager with right to an undefined section, and a further four units are being balloted, settlers to be employed on property on a wage basis pending completion of development programme. Four new dwellings will be required in addition to a considerable amount of subdivisional fencing, while water for stock will be supplied by construction of further dams. Opiki (Location : Opiki).—Area, 81 acres. Purchased, 15th May, 1946. Singleunit dairy-farm. When acquired, property was heavily infested with tall fescue and goat's rue. Improvements, comprising new dwelling, implement-shed, 65 chains new fencing, renewal and repairs to existing fences, 28 acres cultivation and regrassing, and formation and metalling of 22£ chains of access road, have been completed. Charges are to be fixed prior to commencement of 1947-48 season, and the exservicemen ballotee on wages will then be established.

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