a.—io.

Considerable losses have been caused by the grass grub, as was experienced last year. Frequent inquiries are being received from other districts for trees, and the planting programme for the coming season is being framed so as to cope with any demand. An extensive programme for the planting of seedless barberry on the Horohoro and Tikitere schemes is being planned, and it is hoped to have 500,000 of these planted next season to supply the requirements of these schemes. Waipapa Bush. As previously reported, this area is worked out and the residual assets, estimated at £514, remain. Ohere. The lands between the Ohau Channel and the Okere River constitute this scheme. The total area is 6,000 acres, of which 1,200 acres are now in good grass, and 1,000 acres in rough feed. The subdivision stage has not yet been reached. The areas already developed are being consolidated and crushed with sheep and cattle, and the block wintered 250 beef-breeding cows, 2,500 hoggets, and 1,800 ewes. During the summer months the scheme provided grazing for 1,800 ewes, 250 beef cows and calves, 118 steers, and 2,750 wethers. The pastures on the block are of good quality, and this scheme should be capable of showing good returns in the future. Although not ideally suited for subdivision, the scheme is such as will be capable of supporting a large number of the Natives of the Mourea village when the final stage of development is reached. Ragwort continues to be a pest, and will necessitate heavy crushing with sheep for a considerable period. Work during the year consisted of surface sowing 400 acres, ploughing 200 acres and sowing in grass, cultivating 150 acres for turnips, top-dressing 1,200 acres, fencing 5 miles, and clearing 600 acres fern and second growth, which provided a fair measure of relief for Natives of the Mourea village throughout the year. Tikitere. Originally gazetted under the Mourea development scheme, this block contains 1,147 acres. The response to cultivation has proved exceptional, but this no doubt is due to the covering of " Rotomahana mud" from the Tarawera eruption. During the year-another milking-herd was established, bringing the number supplying the factory up to six. The returns from milking-herds have been quite satisfactory, considering the setbacks the stock receive owing to shortage of shelter, but this aspect is gradually being overcome as the trees are showing good growth. The returns from inception to the 30th April, 1936, following the dairying season —Ist July to 30tli June —are as follows : —

The figures for 1935-36 are to April only, and of the total number of cows milked 80 were heifers. In addition to the general farm maintenance, further development was carried out during the year in the cultivation of 200 acres grass, 60 acres turnips, clearing 100 acres, and fencing 3 miles. This was done by Natives from the Coast, who formed the main development contingent, and were awaiting allotment of sections at Tikitere. Stock carried during the year, in addition to dairying herds, was : 1,100 ewes and 500 hoggets. At the 31st March last the following stock was on the property : 9 dairy bulls, 358 dairy cows and heifers, 60 dairy weaners, 10 horses, 845 ewes, 24 rams, 76 run calves, 94 run cows, and 7 bulls. The Okahu paddock of 160 acres comes under this scheme. It is a particularly healthy block, and wintered 727 ewes which lambed down 720 lambs, and in the summer grazed 262 bullocks also. Second-growth gorse, which was much in evidence last year, is now well under control. Tikitere Waikato Party. This scheme which takes its name from the fact that it is an extension of the Waikato scheme and is settled by Natives of the Waikato district, comprises an area of 590 acres, of which 500 are in grass. The block is still in the development stage. The pastures are filling out rapidly and, once the secondgrowth gorse is mastered, the area will be ready for dairying, and it is proposed to establish five dairying herds this coming season.

3 —G. 10.

17

Year. 0WS Fat per < " !ow ' lb. lb. 1932-33 .. .. 1 Not recorded 5,019 1933-34 .. .. 5 169 33,724 199 1934-35 .. .. 5 180 34,381 191 1935-36 .. .. 6 250 47,491 190