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1898. NEW ZEALAND.

MOMOHAKI EXPERIMENTAL STATION.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated 23rd September, 1898. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a return as to the Momohaki Experimental Station, in continuation of Return G.-16, 1897."—(Mr. G. Hutchison.)

EXPEBIMENTAL STATION, MOMOHAKI. Eetuen for the Year ending the 31st March, 1898. 1. Area :— a. b. p. Freehold ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 254 213 Leasehold ... ... ... ... ... ... ...» 39 0 6 Crown lands (grazing rights) ... ... ... ... ... 8620 Total ... ... ... ... ... 380 0 19 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. 3.. £ s. d. (a.) Buildings (station) ... ... ... 168 3 9 (poultry) ... .... ... 96 8 5 264 12 2 (b.) Fencing ... ... ... ... ... ... 80 111 (c.) Cultivation: This includes the cost of seeds and plants, horsefeed, blacksmithing, manures, labour in connection with orchard work, cleaning ground for turnips and other crops, draining, planting, grassing, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 933 6 5 (d.) Stock ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 287 16 10 (c.) Other purposes ... ... ... ... ... ... 296 16 8 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-value of grasses, turnips, and mangolds, and the planting of resistant vines for distribution. 5. Number of persons employed throughout:— (a.) Maximum, 16; (b.) minimum, 6. Bates of salary or wages paid to each class : — £ s. d. Curator ... ... ... ... ... ... 140 0 0 per annum. Overseer ... ... ... ... ... 130 0 0 Carpenter ... ... ... ... ... 0 8 0 per diem. Assistant nurseryman ... ... ... ... 0 7 0 „ Labourers ... ... ... ... ... 0 6 6 „ 0 5 0 „ Horseman ... ... ... ... 0 5 10 „ Boy ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 4 2 6. The number of stock now on the station :— 9 horses for farm-work. 61 cattle. , 758 sheep for experimental and other purposes. 7. Returns: — £594 19s. 4d. Department of Agriculture, Wellington, Ist November, 1898. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,325 copies), 18s. 6d.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9B. Price 3d.]