G.—lo.

It is estimated that, the carrying-capacity of the Ranana land is one cow to three acres, together with one sheep to the acre. During the year 1,815 ewes (mainly 5-year-olds) were purchased for the purpose of checking ragwort upon the badly infested areas. Four hundred and ninety-three lambs and 713 ewes were marketed during the year; also 18 bales of wool. Sheep on hand at 31st- March, 1935, were 997 breeding-ewes, 38 lambs, and 16 rams. Since the scheme was inaugurated the health and general outlook of the people has been greatly improved. The erection of two-roomed cottages in place of punga whares and shacks has vastly improved their living-conditions, and they are showing a keen interest in the work of development and are anxious to make their scheme a success. The scheme has appealed to many of the young men farther down the Wanganui River, and applications for sections have been received from places as far distant as Putiki. The prospects for the coming season are brighter ; the pastures are in fair condition ; dairy cows are coming into production earlier and are mostly in good condition. It is reported that the whole of the live-stock have come through the winter fairly well, and the units are exercising closer attention to this important phase of their farming operations. Hitherto the development side of the scheme activities has engaged the most attention, but experience has shown thatgreater supervision of the active milking units is necessary to ensure that the holdings do not deteriorate and that the methods and diligence of the settlers obtain the fullest production from their lands. IKAROA MAORI LAND DISTRICT. HERETAUNeA. This is a " blanket " scheme embracing eighteen units (supporting sixty-nine dependants) whose holdings, totalling an area of 2,027 acres, are scattered over a wide area in Hawke's Bay. The lands were in most cases cleared and developed before they came under the Department's scheme, and the assistance granted has been in the nature of live-stock, fencing material, fertilizers, seed, and farm equipment. Work of a developmental nature undertaken during the year included the erection of 25 chains of fencing and repairs to 30 chains of existing fences ; clearing 20 acres of blackberry and rushes ready for ploughing ; building 4 new cow-sheds ; and draining and improving the water-supply. Live-stock tallies (held by units) are as follows : 255 cows, 59 heifers, 15 bulls, and 18 horses. . The return for the year amounted to 34,9741b. of butterfat — graded finest, 10,837 Ib.; first, 21,5191b. ; second, 2,6181b. The holdings are now almost fully developed and the carry-ing-capacity will not increase greatly, but production will increase with improvement of herds. The pastures are all good English grasses, about one-third of which were laid down during the 1933-34 season. The people, belonging principally to hapus of the Ngati-Kahungunu Tribe, are a good type of settler who take a live interest in their farms. Both their health and their living conditions are satisfactory, and most of the units are now approaching the stage when they should with supervision be self-supporting. Feed is abundant, and with favourable spring conditions and maintenance of present prices the prospects for the season are distinctly promising. Manawatu. This scheme comprises five unit holdings in the Manawatu District totalling 355 acres, and the Matakarapa Block of 368 acres at Foxton. Seasonal work was undertaken on the sections farmed by the units, all of whom are dairying, and their butterfat-production for the year was 14,562 lb. The people belong to the Ngati-Raukawa Tribe and are interested in the work of development. All interest due by units has been paid to date. Active development proceeded on Matakarapa Block through the year, the following work being undertaken : Fencing, 45 chains ; draining, 25 chains ; grassing, 30 acres ; and clearing gorse, 130 acres. This portion of the scheme employs two share milkers whose dependants number ten, and eighteen casual workers (thirty-six dependants) were also engaged during the year, principally on unemployment work. Eighty-three cows were milked on Matakarapa during last season, the butterfat-production being 9,850 lb. During the year buildings erected were a one-roomed cottage, eight-bailed cow-shed, and an implement-shed. The condition of the pasture is good, and in cases where new pastures have been sown good strikes have been obtained. With the improvement in prices for dairy-produce, the prospects for the coming season are promising. SOUTH ISLAND MAORI LAND DISTRICT. Wairau. The work proposed under this scheme was the reclamation, by means of stop-banks and an internal drainage system, of 840 acres of raupo swamp comprising a portion of the Wairau Native Reserve and adjoining freehold Native land. Situated about seven miles from Blenheim on the road to the mouth of the Wairau River, the reserve is bounded on the south-west by the river and on the north-east by the Pukaka Stream. Within these boundaries lies a block of practically dead-level land only about 1 ft. above sea-level, the circumference of the area being six miles and a half.

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