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Freeholds. —During the year 71 holdings, of an area of 4,972 acres, were freeholded, being mostly occupation-with-right-of-purchase selections the leases of which have expired. Lands for Future Disposals.- -Omaunu Block, Whangaroa County (2,000 acres) : The question of road access is being investigated. It is probable that the cost of reading will be greater than the value of the land. Tokawhero Block : As stated in last year's report, 2,033 acres have been thrown open for settlement, but no applications have yet been received. Prior to opening, many inquiries were made for this block, but presumably the general depression and lack of finance has held intending settlers back. Kerikeri Block (6,700 acres) : This land is to be offered as a small grazing-run, owing to difficulty of drainage. The matter of giving a practicable fencing-line is now receiving attention, and the opening should not be long delayed. Riverhead Block (10,000 acres) : An area of approximately 1,264 acres of this block is to be offered in the near future under section 223 of the Land Act, 1924. There will be ten sections, of from 100 to 130 acres. Motutangi Block (5,000 acres) : This area is being surveyed into suitable sections, and will be offered in the ensuing year. Kapiro Block (17,500 acres) : Experiments are to be carried out by the Department of Agriculture with a view to seeing if the land can be profitably worked in large areas, and the result of these tests will decide whether the whole area is to be opened. Persistent inquiries have been made for this block. Kai Iwi Block (5,650 acres) : It was proposed to open a portion of this area for settlement, but owing to its poorness the Land Board has decided to withdraw same for the present. .1,834 acres are to be incorporated in a scenic reserve, for which, with its beautiful small lakes, it is most suited. Orakei Township : This block, which is to be a model garden suburb, is nearing readiness for opening. Thirty-nine sections will be offered shortly for building-lots, and keen interest is displayed in the sale. Tangowahine Settlement (4,264 acres) : Recently purchased from Messrs. Hawkins and Coleman. This block is situated between Tangowahine and Dargaville, and is to be offered for general application as soon as survey is completed and the roads constructed. Carroll Settlement: The roading of a further portion of nineteen sections of this settlement has been completed, and several sections will be offered in a month or so. Poroti Block (3,500 acres) : Some thirty sections, of areas of 80 to 130 acres, are being opened under section 223 of the Land Act, 1924. Gum Lands.—lt is intended to open for selection during the ensuing year two blocks of gum land under section 223 of the Land Act, 1924. One block is situated about three miles from Kaukapakapa Railway-station, and will be subdivided into farms of 100 to 150 acres. Poroti, the other block, is situated in Purua Survey District. The terms and conditions governing selections are formed with a view to ensure success in settling this class of country. Encouragement is being offered by granting title at the end of six years, subject to improvements being effected in accordance with regulations. AUCKLAND. (K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) From the standpoint of production and output the year under review has, on the whole, been a satisfactory one for all classes of farming. Weather conditions, however, have, as usual, not always been favourable, as instanced by the excessively cold and wet spring, which retarded the growth of crass on the cold, low-lying, and poor lands, and also adversely affected the fattening of lambs in the early part of the season. However, all classes of stock wintered well, and as the result of an abundant rainfall throughout the summer months the climatic conditions generally may be said to have been, on the whole, very favourable to all classes of farming, and there is no danger of a shortage of feed for the remainder of the season. Sheep-farming. —This branch of farming should show profitable returns on the year's turnover, for despite the delay and consequent loss experienced in shearing operations in some parts of the district, due to unfavourable weather, and a falling tendency at the commencement of the season in the price of fat lambs, the results of this year's operations may be considered quite satisfactory. Dairy-fanning. —From the viewpoint of production alone the year promises to be a " flush year " for the dairy-farmer, as a plentiful rainfall has stimulated the growth of pastures and provided an ample supply of summer feed. However, on many of the farms in the Waikato district, there were serious losses of hay, due to the continuous wet weather, and also as a result of spontaneous combustion in stacks —a loss which, however, has in many cases been somewhat offset by the satisfactory growth of pastures enabling a second cut of hay to be taken off the same paddocks. The prospect of low prices for butterfat is causing anxiety to all farmers and others interested in dairying, but it is safe to anticipate that the increased production due to the improvement of dairy herds and the abundance of feed throughout the milking season will go a long way towards compensating the industry for the lower average price which our dairy-produce may ultimately bring on the overseas markets.

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