C—l 6

SESS. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

MOMOHAKI EXPERIMENTAL STATE FARM: EXPENDITURE AND INCOME UP TO THE 31st MARCH, 1897.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 10th December, 1897. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a return, in continuation of C.-18, 1895, and C.-13, 1896, showing the particulars of expenditure and income up to the 31st March, 1897, in connection with the experimental station at Momohaki, near Waverley."—(Mr. G. Hutchison.)

Experimental Station, Momohaki.—Beturn for the Year ending 31st March, 1897. 1. Area : 254 acres 2 roods 13 perches freehold; 39 acres and 6 perches leasehold: total, 293 acres 2 roods 19 perches. 2. Value of the land, with improvements, at the time of the experimental station being started: Value not stated. 3. The amount expended in— £ s. d. (a.) Buildings ... ... ... ... ... ... 89 13 4 (6.) Fencing ... ... ... ... ... ... 90 15 0 (c.) Cultivation (this includes cost of seeds and plants, blacksmithing, manures, labour in connection with orchard work, cleaning ground for turnips and other crops, draining, planting, grassing, &c.) ... ... ... ... ... ... 974 14 8 (d.) Stock ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 310 16 11 (c.) Other purposes ... ... ... ... ... ... 495 3 7 Cost of lease ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 10 1 4. The uses to which the land has been applied : For investigating diseases in stock, the testing of seeds and plants and the raising of economic plants for distribution to settlers, testing the feeding-values of grasses, and establishing a grass-garden or collection of grasses, so that visitors may see each grass or fodder-plant growing. 2,845 rooted vines and about 3,095 sheltertrees have been distributed, besides a large number planted for shelter on the station. 5. Number of persons employed throughout : (a) maximum, 16; (6) minimum, 6. Bates of salary or wages paid to each class: Curator, £140 per annum; overseer, £120 per annum; carpenter, Bs. per diem ; assistant nurseryman, 7s. 6d. per diem ; labourers, 75., 6s. 6d., 55., and 4s. 6d. per diem; horseman, ss. lOd. per diem ; boy, 3s. 4d. per diem. 6. The number of stock now on the station : 8 horses, for farm-work; 55 cattle, to eat down rough feed; 492 sheep, for experimental purposes. 7. Beturns, £292 17s. 7d. Account-sales for wool not to hand at 31st March, Department of Agriculture, Wellington, 17th December, 1897. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,250 copies), 18s,

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington,—lB97. Price 3d.