C—l

accommodation is available. Development involves erection of farm buildings, fencing, -and cultivation, and settlement should be effected in time for commencement of 1948 season. Rongokokako (Location : Eketahuna). —Area, acres. Acquired, 20th July, 1945.' Subdivisions, two dairy-farms. The development programme has been completed, with the exception of rebuilding of one house, and charges were fixed and settlers established on their sections for the 1946-47 season. Ruamahanga (Location : Carterton). —Area, 2,340 acres. Purchased, 29th March, 1946. Subdivisions, seven sheep and two dairy-farms. Development included cultivation and sowing 78 acres wheat and 300 acres crops —rape, chou moellier, swedes, and oats. One dairy unit to be balloted on fixed charges for the coming season. A considerable area of scrub has been cut and fencing erected, but final development has been held up to some extent pending purchase of adjoining land, which will affect the final subdivision. Settlement of this block cannot be expected for at least a year. Tauroa (Locality: Pahiatua).—Area, 1,623 acres. Purchased, 28th February, 1947. Subdivisions, two sheep units. By negotiation, 1,454 acres was purchased, and 169 acres adjoining acquired under section 51. The development programme will ■comprise renovations to existing buildings, erection of subdivisional fencing, and general reconditioning of present fences. A manager has been appointed with right to an undefined section, and final establishment is anticipated for beginning of 1948-49 season. Tawanui (Locality : Kimbolton). —Area, 441 acres. Acquired, 29th March, 1946. ■Subdivisions, three dairy with sheep units. Necessary buildings have been erected and separate dairy herds established ready for settlers to take over their individual holdings for next season. Development work completed comprised erection of two houses, and three cow-sheds, formation and metalling access road, water reticulation, boundary fences repaired or renewed, and necessary subdivisional fencing erected. Te Maipi (Locality: Masterton). —Area, 2,724 acres. Purchased, 28th February, 1945. Subdivisions, three sheep-farms. Development of this block will be completed and ballotees, who have been working on wages, established on individual units prior to commencement of 1947-48 season. Three new houses and a community wool-shed have been erected, subdivisional fencing completed, and water-supply provided. Three implement-sheds will be erected prior to date for fixing charges. Tikitapu (Locality : Masterton). —Area, 4,774 acres. Purchased, 27th June, 1946. Subdivisions, four sheep-farms. Development operations have been delayed through shortage of fencing-wire and materials. The house and large wool-shed are to be reconstructed and salvaged materials used for construction of buildings required on the other subdivisions. A manager has been appointed with right to an undefined section, and a ballot will be held for three remaining units as soon as additional accommodation is .available. Turakina (Locality : Turakina). —Area, 251|- acres. Acquired, 18th April, 1946. Subdivisions, two dairy with sheep units. Development comprises building one house, cow-shed, and implement-shed, open and mole drainage, 245 chains fencing, and reticulation of water-supply. Work is well in hand,, but buildings, contracts for which were let some time ago, have not yet been started. About 6£ acres are to be allocated to the local Domain Board for recreational purposes. The two sections have been allotted -on wages, and final settlement is expected prior to 1948-49 season. Waiohine (Location : Greytown).—Area, 249 acres. Acquired, 27th June, 1946. Subdivisions, two dairy and three small-fruit units. An ex-serviceman, who had entered into an agreement to purchase the whole property, was allotted a single dairy unit without competition. Charges have also been fixed on the three small-fruit farms and allotment approved to three ex-servicemen graded " A " for this type of farming. Wainuioru (Location : Gladstone). —Area, 5,386 acres. Purchased, Ist March, 1946. Subdivisions, seven sheep-farms. An area of 647 acres adjoining Wainuioru was purchased in July, 1946, and amalgamated with this block. While progress has been maintained with the development programme, difficulties have arisen regarding roading to give access to the subdivisions, and until these have been settled it will not be possible

29