H.—29

Land Development. The Department of Agriculture continues to be closely associated with the Lands Department in the development of pumice country in the Rotorua district. A further portion of the land grassed at Ngakuru has been subdivided and dairy herds established. Continued high production from newly established pastures on this class of country indicates the possibilities of greatly extending the dairying zones of the Dominion, provided the marketing outlook warrants it and prices recover sufficiently to warrant the initial cost of establishment. During the year some 1,930 acres of the Galatea Estate has been cultivated and sown to grass, in addition to 568 acres of annual crops. Advisory and Instructional Work. The year's work has been outstanding in that the various activities of the fields staffs of all Divisions have, if anything, been more diversified than ever, despite the limitations imposed by the need of economy in administration. Contact with the farming community necessitated by the administration of the initial Small Farm Plan has facilitated a great deal of personal advice being given. At the same time, routine work in connection with all inspectional activities has been maintained, together with instruction, to the fullest extent compatible with the restrictions imposed by limited finance. The manner in which all field officers have done their best to meet the position to the best advantage is highly appreciated. Publications and Publicity. The general financial restrictions necessitated some reduction in expenditure on the Department's publications, but measures were taken to prevent the efficiency of this service being seriously impaired. The New Zealand Journal of Agriculture continues to be our principal medium for the publication of instructional and informative matter in all branches, also for purposes of record. In regard to the latter function, the Journal possesses a definite additional value by helping to keep New Zealand "on the map " in the scientific world abroad. During the year there was also a steady output of instructional matter in pamphlet or leaflet form, while the usual amount of miscellaneous printing connected with the Department's many activities was undertaken. The service of weekly radio broadcast lecturettes from Station 2YA, Wellington, was continued throughout the year by officers of the Department's various branches. A very wide range of subjects was covered, and there was again much evidence of the appreciation of this activity in all parts of the Dominion. Subsidies. The administration of governmental measures calculated to assist the farming community in meeting the difficult position resulting from low commodity prices has kept the Head Office particularly busy. The measures of major importance are the railway subsidies on fertilizers and lime, concessions on railway transport of primary produce, and subsidy to manufacturers of superphosphate. In addition, minor duties have embraced the control of subsidies or advances in connection with the feeding or transport of stock from droughty areas. General. It should be noted that the appended detailed reports on Section and Division activities apply fairly strictly to the work of the financial year ended 31st March, 1933. Although this course is necessary, it has the decided disadvantage of not covering the results of each project as portrayed in the season's output. To overcome this shortcoming as far as possible, I have indicated in my summary the seasonal position in production of some of our branches of primary industry. In conclusion, I must express my sincere appreciation of the good services rendered by the Assistant Director-General, the Secretary, Divisional Directors, and all members of the staff. C. J. Eeakes, D.V.Sc, M.E.C.V.S., Director-General.

2—H. 29.

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