a.—lo.

TOKERAU (NORTH AUCKLAND) MAORI LAND DISTRICT. As previously explained in the annual reports, the North Auckland district has been divided into the following sub-districts : Kaipara', Hokianga, Bay of Islands, and Mangonui, in which are represented the Ngati-Whatua, Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngati-Ivahu, and Te Aupouri Tribes. All Native-owned areas in the Tokerau District were gazetted as being subject to the one scheme as a basis for authorization of expenditure which the Supervisors recommended from time to time on such areas as were considered suitable for developmental assistance. Owing to the scattered nature of the holdings it was not possible to undertake development on a face as in the Rotorua District, and it was found necessary to assist each small holding with such necessary requirements as would make it self-supporting. During the year this policy has been continued, and with the Unemployment Board's assistance through the winter months the majority of the units have done good work in improving their farms. Over 66,000 acres are now being farmed in this district, of which some 6,000 acres comprise six base farms located in different parts of the northern peninsula. Approximately 3,000 acres of new pastures have been laid down during the year, while over eighty miles of new fencing has been erected. Much of the land now being used for dairying was originally covered with scrub, fern, or poor-quality grasses ; but with the programme of intensive farming on smaller areas it is hoped to bring about a much-increased production of butterfat and other farm-products. Owing to the severe floods in the North many of the scheme farms suffered severe losses, but assistance was made available to alleviate the distress and assist the people, particularly those in the South Hokianga district, where conditions were most severe, to clear their farms of debris and to re-erect the fences which had been levelled by the deluge. There is evidence of a little restlessness in some of the northern districts, but the human element for farming purposes is, generally speaking, excellent, and with the co-operation of the local committees these people are making every effort to help themselves and the Department. Many of the individual advances are small, and it should therefore not be long before a number of the units are selfsupporting and no longer in need of departmental assistance. Eliminating the base farms and the Te Kao Settlement (Tokerau Maori Land Board Scheme) the- area under development in this district is approximately 60,000 acres, on which are established 669 units. For the past year the Department's receipts from assignments of cream cheques amounted to £10,863. The average advance is particularly small, and the repayments made are quite satisfactory. Base Farms. (a) The main farm of the North is the Motatau Base Farm, comprising 780 acres of Native leasehold land at Pokapu, near Otiria. Dairy cows are assembled here to await distribution, and it is also used as a dairy-farm on which between 70 and 80 cows are milked on a share basis. During this year 74 cows were milked, and returned f6,079 lb. of butterfat (average, 217 lb. per cow). This farm received a big setback from the floods of December and February, which resulted in much damage to fences and drains, while practically the whole of the hay crop was lost. (b) The Tautoro Bush, situated near Kaikohe in the Bay of Islands, comprises 1,607 acres of bush country handed over by the Lands Department for development by this Department. The whole of the bush has now been cleared, but a poor burn over most of the area has minimized the results aimed at. The balance, 300 acres, of bush was felled this year, but the exceptionally wet summer and autumn prevented a burn. With judicious stocking it is hoped to consolidate the grass already sown and to burn the felled bush and complete the grassing this year. The portion already sown has struck well and is now firmly established. (c) Panguru Base Farm comprises 297 acres of freehold and leasehold lands purchased from Messrs. Holland and Rogers, and is situated on the northern side of the Hokianga Harbour adjacent to the Panguru and Pawarenga Districts. There are about 227 acres in grass and 70 acres in bush, and it is used mainly as a distributing centre for stock. The principal work during the year has been clearing and logging some 100 acres, and regrassing some 50 acres, while a substantial stockyard has been built. The land is capable of carrying one ewe to the acre and one beast to 3 acres. For the coming year it is proposed to place a local Native on this farm as caretaker, and to allow him the proceeds from fourteen cows as remuneration for looking after the Department's stock and doing general farm work under direction of the Supervisor. (d) Waima Bush comprises some 1,414 acres on the Takeke-Rawene Road (South Hokianga), of which 1,000 acres were in standing bush. The bush area has now been cleared, and during the year six miles of subdivisional fencing have been erected, while 200 acres have been ploughed and grassed and 250 acres logged and top-dressed. This place has proved sound sheep and cattle country capable of carrying lj sheep to the acre and one cattle beast to 6 acres. The block, for subdivisional purposes, is poorly watered, and the whole question of a suitable water-supply is being looked into with a view, if suitable arrangements can be made, to having the area subdivided for closer settlement. (e) Pouto area. This area comprises some 9,000 acres, of which it is estimated about 1,400 acres are capable of being successfully developed. It is situated in the Kaipara District on the Pouto Peninsula, and the land is a light, sandy formation. There are some 400 acres of gum swamp lands. This year some 300 acres have been sown down in grass following cultivation from the previous year, while about two miles and a half of fencing have been erected and one mile and a half of drains made. It is considered that the dry land will eventually carry two to three sheep per acre and the swamp one cow to 1| acres. (/) Manukau Base Farm comprises 830 acres taken over from the State Advances Department, is situated near Herekino, and at present is being used for asembling culled stock from the Mangonui

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