G — 10e

1933. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE LAND DEVELOPMENT. AOTEA MAORI LAND DISTRICT.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

Native Department, 20th October, 1933. The Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Herewith is the report from the Supervisor for the Aotea District Native Land Development Schemes (Mr H Marumaru) covering the development work carried out on the Ranana Development Scheme during the year ended 31st March, 1933, and including the following data 1. General report by Supervisor. 2. Schedule of units and operations undertaken. 3. Summary of above schedule. 4. Summary of accounts. 5. Graph showing butterfat production. R JoNBg; Under „ Secretary .

report. RANANA DEVELOPMENT SCHEME. (See Plan 38, G.-10.) The blocks aSected are the Ngarakauwhakarara, Ranana, and Morikau No 1, comprising seventy-two subdivisions of an area of 4,516 acres 3 roods 14 perches, and include the Ranana and Hiruharama Settlements. Location —This area is situated on the left bank of the Whanganui River, the southern boundary being about forty-three miles from the City of Whanganui by river, Ranana and Hiruharama being two miles and seven miles respectively farther up the river. , , The Whanganui River Road is formed to within ten miles of Ranana, and the completion Ruapirau Stream bridge in August will permit motor-traffic access to Ranana, Hiruharama, ana Pipiriki during the summer months. Conformation. —This area is mostly easy undulating country with steep and broken faces along the banks of the Whanganui River, Mangoihe and Whatauma Streams. Soil Formation.—The lower country is of a medium loam formation overlying papa, while the higher levels and the area north-east of the Hiruharama pa is of very light loam. The pastures over the whole of the area respond to top-dressing. Climate and Shelter.—The westerly and north-westerly winds prevail, but the winds from the south though not prevalent, are severe. The rolling nature of the country protects the stock to some extent but this does not obviate the necessity for shelter-belts, which should be planted as soon as possible. Snow is experienced on the higher levels, with frosts and fogs during the winter months ; but on the whole I do not consider the climate severe. Access. —All of the sections are served by clay roads (formed) ; the Ngarakauwhakarara Block sections by the Mokonui Road, the Ranana Block sections by the Morikau Farm Road (which is metalled for about 50 chains), and the Morikau No. 1 Block sections by the Otaranoho Aorangi, and Ohineiti roads. All of these roads need metal, especially on the inclines. They all connect with the Whanganui River Road, excepting the Ohineiti Road.