a.— io;

The Department's supervisors have been kept busy controlling and advising Native units in the conduct of their holdings and in the general supervision of Native unemployment activities. Supervisors report that Natives are anxious to learn the finer points of farming practice and that the best results are obtained by close supervision of their efforts. Unfortunately, the time at the disposal of officers has not always permitted the full demonstration of scientific methods, which are essential in obtaining the best results. The properties directly under the control of the Department, generally speaking, are in a satisfactory state as far as pastures and cultivation are concerned. Weather conditions in the district have not been normal, and excessive rainfall and consequent flooding of low-lying areas has resulted in damage to improvements and in stock losses. The roads in some districts were badly impaired, and a good deal of unemployed labour was utilized in repairing flood damage. In certain of the far northern districts, large areas of Native lands are unsuitable for general farm development. The question of afforesting these areas is receiving consideration, and reports are being obtained as to suitable trees and areas. This is particularly so at Te Hapua, where a remnant of the Aupouri tribe resides. Native opinion in the district is favourable towards the Department's development schemes, and it is realised that, with the progress of consolidation, means are available for turning previously neglected areas into profitable holdings. In some districts there is a shortage of suitable land which serves to intensify the problem of settling the large Native poj3ulation. It seems certain, however, that development in the North will most probably proceed in the direction of rendering assistance to individual farmers rather than in large scale development operations on extensive areas. The following summary compiled from District Office returns shows the progress of development during the year under review on the four main schemes : —

Motatau Base Farm. . This is the main farm of the North, comprising 780 acres of Native leasehold land, and being located at Pokapu, near Otiria. Since its inception as a scheme under development operations its primary function has been to facilitate the distribution of dairy stock for unit farmers in the Bay of Islands and Hokianga districts. The block may now be also regarded as a successful dairy farm, the herd consisting of 131 head, together with 65 run cattle, while the return of butterfat for the past, season was 14,1481b., which produced £670. As a subsidiary to the dairying, 29 pigs were on the farm at 31st March, 1936, while 27 were sold in the course of the past year for £57.

4

Item. Mangonui. Hokianga. Bay of Islands. Kaipara. j Totals. Total area under development 13,198 acres 17,335 acres 25,192 acres 5,298 acres 61,023 acres as at 31st March, 1936 Total area in grass (area tem- 7,090 acres 12,398 acres 11,315 acres 2,299 acres 33,102 acres porary pasture not available) Area sown during year . . 186 acres 1,513 acres 980 acres 137 acres 2,816 acres Number of units .. .. 175 235 212 55 677 Dependants— Adults .. .. .. 394 602 538 127 1,661 Minors .. .. .. 603 1,080 723 185 2,591 Fencing— New _ • • ■ ■ • • 1,464 chains 3,682 chains 1,888 chains 521 chains 7,555 chains Repairs .. . . .. 144 chains 642 chains 302 chains 15 chains 1,103 chains Draining .. .. . . 1,216 chains 1,109 chains 1,406 chains 92 chains 3,823 chains Ploughing .. .. .. 181 acres 222 acres 506 acres 51 acres 960 acres Clearing— Bushfelling . . .. 43 acres 907 acres 372 acres 52 acres 1,374- acres Scrubcutting .. .. 256 acres 395 acres 426 acres 75 acres 1,152 acres Stumping .. .. 1,258 acres 1,500 acres 616 acres 23 acres 3,397 acres Live-stock as at 31st March, 1936— Dairy cattle—* Bulls .. .. .. 132 246 171 40 ■ 589 Cows .. .. .. 2,580 4,275 3,957 985 11,797 Heifers .. .. 534 883 979 170 2,566 Heifer calves .. .. 434 811 649 130 2,024Sheep .. .. .. .. 646 714 .. 1^360 Horses .. .. .. 194 304 197 10 705 Working bullocks .. .. 38 122 42 .. ■ 202 Receipts for year (Department's proportion only usually onethird) — Butterfat .. .. £4,154 £5,196 £5,005 £1,408 £15,763 0tll er .. .. .. £89 £117 £470 £46 £722