9

H.-29

The whole of the output of the two islands was absorbed by Australia and New Zealand, neither Great Britain nor any other country taking any. It is anticipated that with the improved loading facilities the annual output of the two islands can be considerably increased. The question of endeavouring to secure for Australia and New Zealand a further source of supply as a safeguard for the future has been kept in mind, and negotiations were initiated with a view to a possible purchase, but these did not prove successful. The desirableness of safeguarding the position as regards future supplies will be kept definitely in view, and advantage taken of every possibility arising in this direction. The report of Mr. A. F. Ellis, C.M.G., New Zealand representative on the Phosphate Commission, will be found appended hereto. It deals with the operations of the Commission in regard to supplies to New Zealand and Australia for the year ending 30th June, 1930. Land-development Work. The Department has now become associated with the Lands Department in work under the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929, and two blocks of land, one near Rotorua and the other at Te Kauwhata, are being dealt with by the Department of Agriculture on the lines of preparing them for settlement by having a portion of each section cultivated, grassed, and fenced prior to their occupation by settlers. The necessary finance is provided through the Land Development Board, except as regards the pay and travelling-expenses of the officers controlling the work. It is proposed that one of the sections in the block near Rotorua shall be farmed by this Department for a short time by way of providing an observational and instructional area for the surrounding settlers when they commence their own operations. Rttakuka Farm and Farm Training College. The Ruakura Farm experienced a good season, the volume of production showing a distinct increase. Every effort is made to conduct the farm on lines which will afford a good object lesson in farm-management and animal husbandry. The total earnings of the farm on its year's operations were £11,262. This includes fees from students, also an item of £1,165 for lambs consigned to London and sold, the cash for which was not available before the 31st March. The dairy herd has produced well, and during last year eighteen young cows, including eight heifers, were under C.O.R. test, giving an average yield of 510 lb. of butterfat. The pastures on the farm have been improved, and at the present time the farm (total area, 898 acres) is carrying approximately 370 cattle (including 112 yearlings), 2,000 sheep, and 150 pigs, besides farm horses. The annual sale held in August, 1929, was a successful one, eighteen yearling Shorthorn bulls realizing an average price of 59 guineas, sixteen yearling Jersey bulls 4-7 guineas, and twelve Ayrshire yearling bulls 29 guineas. Pigs also sold well. Altogether the farm is doing well, and the Manager, Mr. H. Munro, merits commendation for its continued progress. Experimental grass plots have been established on the farm, and these are proving of great interest to visiting farmers, and are also of value for instructional purposes with the students. Experimental feeding trials with pigs have been carried out in connection with complaints made regarding " fishy " flavours in exported bacon carcasses. All the results of these have not yet come to hand. The Farm Training College.—The full number of students (forty-nine) which can be accommodated are in residence, and more are desirous of entering when space permits. This school, providing as it does a combination of study and practical farm-work, evidently meets a requirement of the Dominion, and when financial conditions permit it could well be enlarged, or, what would probably be better, supplemented by an establishment in another part of the Dominion conducted on approximately similar lines. The instructional work has been greatly facilitated by the homestead building being made available for the uses of the school, the class-room and other necessary accommodation having previously been too restricted. General. In view of the fact that a great volume of more or less detailed information regarding the work of the Department is contained in the divisional reports appended hereto, it is unnecessary to hero cover the whole range of the Department's activities, but a few additional points may be mentioned.

2—H. 29.