C.—l.

The Board has not given consideration to the undertaking of any work on new blocks of unoccupied Crown land, but extensive rehabilitation operations are controlled by the Small Farms Board and are reported upon under the heading of " Small Farms Scheme." The number of Crown tenants who have been assisted by way of loans to develop their own properties now totals 491, the amount advanced during the year being £17,324. Pursuant to section 10 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929, the following summary of operations up to 31st March, 1936, is recorded : — (a) The Several Areas of Unoccupied Crown Lands in respect of which Development Worhs have been undertaken during the Year. Auckland Land District: — Ngakuru Block, of 14,755 acres of light pumice land, fifteen miles from Eotorua : This block, of which 4,325 acres are being developed, will provide about fifty dairy-farms. Thirteen sections have now been selected and thirteen farms are occupied by sharemilkers. The remainder of the block has been run as a grazing - farm for cattle and sheep, but the land is to be offered for selection for dairying, it being eminently suitable for this purpose. Galatea Estate, of 22,326 acres near Murupara : Pending the completion of developmental work and the offering of this land for selection, the major portion is being successfully farmed as a sheep and cattle station. As at 31st March, 1936, the station stock consisted of 19,564 sheep and 4,521 cattle. The remainder of block comprises ten sharemilking farms and a demonstration farm. The stock carried by these eleven farms consists of 605 dairy cows, 15 heifers, 148 calves, 22 bulls, 19 horses, 305 pigs. Particulars of the developmental work being undertaken are given in Appendix 111 in the report of the Land Drainage Branch of the Department. Hawke's Bay Land District: — Kakariki Estate, a purchased estate of 17,688 acres at Kotemaori: This block is intended to provide about ten holdings for sheep-farming. An area of 8,900 acres of new grass has been established and live-stock carried is as follows : 12,555 sheep, 1,461 cattle, 25 horses. A successful farming year has been experienced, a net profit resulting after charging interest on all capital expenditure. Taranaki Land District:— Tapuwae Estate, of 3,350 acres, a purchased estate in the King-country : This Block is estimated to provide approximately eleven mixed farms. Two thousand two hundred and sixty acres have been developed, and bush sickness has been successfully dealt with. The season has ended with a net farming profit after meeting interest on all capital expenditure. Live-stock consists of 5,128 sheep, 794 cattle, 4 horses.

(b) Total Cost of Development Works carried out to 31st March, 1936.

In addition to the expenditure on blocks set out above, expenditure has been incurred on the roading, survey, &c., of various areas which are being developed by the settlers themselves. The total expenditure £351,257 for development, stock, roading, and surveys (apart from roading-costs payable out of Public Works Fund) up to the 31st March, 1936, provides for 616 farms.

3

Expenditure on B^Pendlt ™ e 011 T °tal Expen- Net Dovfilonment Development diture on Expenditure on Block. , , L . during Year Development Live-stock as iqoc ' ended 31st to 31st March, at 31st March, 15 "°- March, 1936. 1936. 1936. North Auckland Land District. I £ I £ I £ I £ Wharekohe Block .. .. ..I 9,794 1,741 i 11,535 I Auckland Land District. Ngakuru Block .. .. .. 83,751 947 84,698 3,747 Te Kauwhata Block .. .. .. 32,176 .. 32,176 Onepu Block * .. .. .. 20,081 39 20,120 Koromatua Block .. .. .. 4,120 43 4,163 Galatea Estate .. .. .. 74,310 8,524 82,834 6,759 Whangamarino Block * . . . . . . 8,445 .. 8,445 Mangatutu Block .. .. .. 3,715 .. 3,715 Pongakawa Block * .. .. .. 3,764 .. 3,764 943 Hawke's Bay Land District. Kakariki Estate .. .. . . | 26,680 [ 3,718 30,398 | Taranaki Land District. Tapuwae Estate .. .. .. 13,434 439 13,873 j 6,543 280,270 15,451 295,721 j 17,992 ? 1 * Whangamarino, Pongakawa, and part of Onepu Blocks taken over by Small Farms Board.