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Tlie Gordonton section is flat with soil of good quality, but the individual holdings are small, and until fully developed the units are forced to seek outside assistance in order to support their families. Blackberry is very prevalent and requires constant attention to keep it in check. During the year 12 acres were ploughed and regrassed, 15 chains of fencing were erected, and a drain, 44 chains in length, was cut through the middle of the property. The whole area is deficient in water. The pastures are in fair order, but certain areas will require regrassing. Living conditions are improving, and the settlers are taking an increasing interest in their scheme. The Huntly section is farmed by a Native woman who takes a keen interest in the development of her land. Ten acres of new grass were sown during the year, and 2 acres of scrub cut preparatory to ploughing. A cow-shed was erected, but at present there is no house on the property. There is still 30 acres to be cleared and grassed, and the question of water-supply will require investigation. The Tauhei section in the Morrinsville district suffered owing to the abnormally dry season, and production was accordingly below expectations. The unit is somewhat handicapped owing to physical disability, but is anxious to make a success of his holding. The pastures are fair, 6 acres of new grass were sown during the year and noxious weeds have been kept well in check. There is still an area of 550 acres awaiting development. Kawhia . The three hapus interested in this scheme —Ngati-Te Wehi, Ngati-Hikairo, and Ngati-Apakura— belong to the Waikato Tribe and as such their outlook is one to be judged from a focal point centred in Waahi Pa, Huntly—the home of the " Maori King." The first " Maori King " was chosen in the " fifties " of the last century, and in the lineal male descendants of Potatau, and the movement has become the rallying-point of the Waikato people and other allied tribes. It is now the most potent factor in preserving their tribal entities and social structure. This scheme owes its beginning to the lead given by the late Te Rata Mahuta and his family at Waahi, and by Te Puea Herangi at Waipipi and Onewhero, and although progress has been slow recent returns indicate that the venture should, under careful supervision, prove ultimately a success. The scheme comprises the Mangaora Blocks, approximating 740 acres (220 acres of which are under active development as a small sheep farm), and twelve holdings scattered around the Kawhia and Aotea Harbours on which units are dairying. The total area of the scheme is 4,241 acres. On Mangaora 220 acres, which have been cleared and grassed, are carrying 300 ewes. The pastures are fair to good and ragwort and blackberry have been cleared by cutting and grubbing. The balance of the block is covered with heavy manuka and light bush, but when developed, is very suitable for sheep-farming. Work undertaken on the unit sections during the year has been mainly in the direction of improving land already brought in. Cleaning up and burning manuka, 107 acres ; bushfelling, 50 acres ; grassing, 80 acres ; stumping, ploughing, and sowing, 61 acres ; manuka-felling, 27 acres ; clearing noxious weeds, 20 acres ; draining, 229 chains ; fencing, 150 chains ; and splitting 1,100 posts and 10,000 battens. In addition to the twelve units and four workmen on Mangaora, the scheme provided assistance for twenty unemployed Natives, and the total dependants of these people numbered 123. Returns of units' live-stock are as follows : Dairy cows, 290 ; bulls, 17 ; heifers, 109 ; calves, 60 run cattle, 34 ; sheep, 415 ; pigs, 25 ; and horses, 27. During the season the production of butterfat from 245 cows was 31,339 lb., valued at £978, and averaging 128 lb. per cow. Oparure. Five small farms scattered around Te Ivuiti, Oparure, and Hangatiki support six units with their twenty-three dependants belonging to Ngati-Kinohaku and Ngati-Rora hapus of Maniapoto. These holdings comprise 602 acres of low-lying land, which requires consistent attention in order to keep blackberry and ragwort in check. During the year the units followed their usual farm occupations and the land is now practically developed. Works carried out comprise : Roading, 10 chains ; ploughing, 4 acres ; clearing noxious weeds, 15 acres : and fencing, 120 chains. Good pastures are down on two sections, but the grassing on the other three holdings is poor. Live-stock returns are as follows : — Unit. Cows. Sheep. No. 1 .. .. .. .. . . . . . • 22 No. 2 .. . . .. .. . . .. .. 20 Nos. 3 and 4 . . . . . . . . . . 4 144 No. 5 .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 No. 6 .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 58 144. Forty - one cows were milked during the season, the production of butterfat being 7,352 lb., averaging 180 lb. per cow. Four of the units are industrious workers who are interested in the scheme, but the other two settlers require considerable supervision. The living-quarters are satisfactory and the health of the people is good. Mahoenui. The principal hapu of Maniapoto interested in this scheme is Ngati-Rungaterangi, a buffer subtribe in the eventful past history of the Maniapotos and Taranakis. Situated about thirty-eight miles from Te Kuiti on the main New Plymouth highway and comprising a compact area of 6,026 acres, of which 2,000 acres are developed, Mahoenui is one of the principal schemes in the King-country district.
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