G.—loB.

TE KUITI BASE FARM. (See Plan 10, G.-10.) (Report dated 18th July, 1933.) No development work of any consequence has been carried out on the above base farm since it was taken over from the Waikato-Maniapoto District Maori Land Board. The attached statement of expenditure and receipts gives a complete picture of the activities on the farm, and it remains for me to give details (approximate only) of areas in grass, fencing, &c. Grass. —Except for small patches in bush and gorse and the area used as a turnip paddock the whole area is in grass —on old bush clearing very good, but not so good on fern hills. Mr. McLean, the manager, was of the opinion that the farm was understocked through the summer. I estimate the area in "grass at 580 acres. Fencing. —The farm is completely ring-fenced, and is subdivided into thirteen paddocks, and, generally speaking, the fences are in good repair. Buildings. —One storage-shed (in good repair), one four-roomed whare (small rooms, and not suitable for married couple ; needs renovating). The milking-shed is delapidated, and the concreting is the only part of any value. The sheep-dip has been installed here, and a makeshift sheep-yard erected. Live-stock. —(a) The stock on the farm as at 31st March, 1933, comprised : — Ewes, four-tooth and full-mouth . . .. .. .. 237 18 missing. Wethers, two-tooth and over . . .. . . 31 24 missing. Lambs . . • • ■ ■ • • ■ • 51 Rams .. . . • • • ■ • • • • 15 Bulls .. .. 8 Cows .. .. ■• •• • • • • • ■ 2 2-year heifers .. .. • • ■ • • • 85 3-year heifers . . . . . . ■ • • • • • 1 Horse (mare) . . .. . ■ ■ • • ■ • • 1 434 (b) Depasturing on the base farm were also some " bulk " live-stock comprising : — Bull .. .. . . ■ ■ ■ • • I Yearling heifers (ex Manawatu) . . . . . . . . 72 73 (c) The following stock were held on account of the Mahoenui Development Scheme : — Ewes .. • • • • ■ • • • ■ ■ 8 Total live-stock, 515.

MAHOENUI DEVELOPMENT SCHEME. (See Plan 11, G.-10.) (Report dated 18th July, 1933.) In connection with the report asked for by the Under-Secretary in his memorandum N 1/9 of the 16th ultimo, I have to submit the following particulars : — 1. Commencement of Developmnet Operations. Main Scheme. —Development work on this block commenced in September, 1930. The principal operations comprised manuka clearing, bushfelling, and fencing. 2. Development Work to 31st March, 1933. (a) General. —The schedule attached, prepared by the Auckland Office, sets out in detail the areas and chainages of clearing, fencing, draining, and track-making completed to the above date ; and also the total labour costs incurred.

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