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Of particular interest is the fact that 917 ewes wintered on this block lambed down 900 lambs, and, in addition, the lambs which were sold off fat killed out at 38*5 lb. Throughout the winter 110 black Polled Angus heifers were also on the block. Work for eight men was provided in clearing second-growth gorse, fencing, top-dressing, and general farm work. As at 31st March, 1936, the following stock was on the property : 3,127 ewes, 82 rams, 262 bullocks, and 4 horses. Rotoiti. The total area of this block is 4,939 acres, of which 1,700 are now in good pasture. As mentioned previously, the block was brought under development primarily for the purpose of finding work for the unemployed of Otarae-Marae ; during the year useful work has been carried out by these Natives in top-dressing 1,200 acres, fencing 2 miles, splitting rails and battens, and clearing second-growth fern and ragwort over the grassed area. Good grazing was provided for 302 bullocks, 1,068 wethers, and 341 beef heifers. As at 31st March, 1936, the following stock was on the property : 518 ewes' 1,598 wethers, and 17 rams. From now on the block will carry its own stock and proper farm accounts will be kept. Taheke. This is another general development block, and comprises an area of 9,081 acres, of which 1,000 are in grass, which is more adapted for sheep-farming than subdivision, and until development is completed, will be used as a grazing run. In the past the block has been stocked with bulk stock, but in future will carry its own stock, and proper farm accounts will be kept. Work is provided for unemployed Natives, and during the year this consisted of top-dressing 600 acres, fencing 4 miles, ploughing 160 acres and putting in grass and turnips, and clearing and surface sowing 150 acres. Stock carried during the winter was 261 bullocks and 1,862 ewes, while in the summer a further 1,597 wethers were added to the above stock. As at 31st March, 1936, stock comprised 1,273 ewes 612 wethers, 40 rams, and 107 run cows. Okataina Bush. This bush has proved of great service in the supply of fencing materials for schemes in the vicinity of Rotorua, Tauranga, and Maketu. It is exceedingly difficult to get expert bushmen from the ranks of the unemployed, but the men at present working have proved entirely satisfactory and, despite heavy weather in the mountainous country of Okataina, the following materials were split and distributed to the above-mentioned schemes during the year : 2,015 strainers, 57,950 battens quantity of rails, bridge stringers, wool-shed blocks, and 54,339 posts. In addition it has been necessary to extend roads into different parts, and this has °iven useful work for the unemployed Natives of Rotorua. Maketu Farm. This farm is administered by the Department for the Arawa Trust Board. The financial arrangements for funding the debt on the property were completed during the year, and in future it should be possible to maintain the farm out of revenue and, at the same time, provide a sinking fund for repayment of loan-moneys involved. Historical interest is attached to the scheme, because it was at Maketu that the great navigator, Tama to Kapua, and his Polynesian crew landed in the canoe Arawa. ' The property, consisting of Maketu proper and King's Estate, has a total area of 1,277 acres of which 900 acres are m grass. For the twelve months ending 31st March, 1936, the five milking-he'rds produced 69,3751b. butterfat from 278 cows and 74 heifers milked throughout the season In addition, the revenue from the sale of 98 pigs, 160 bullocks, 32 cull cows, and 8 sheep, supplemented the income of the farm. In addition to the usual farming operations on Maketu proper, extensive development work was carried out on both this and King's property, which consisted of grubbing and clearing 577 acres second-growth gorse and ragwort, opening 300 chains drains, ploughing 84 acres, fencing 345 chains forming roads and effecting repairs, building store-shed, top-dressing existing pastures, saving hay for winter feed, and cultivation of turnips. " The stock on the property at 31st March, 1936, was : 351 cows in milk and heifers 62 dry cows 101 yearlings, 93 weaners, 18 bulls, 7 draught horses, 64 pigs, 94 Hereford steers, 650 breeding-ewes' and 16 Southdown rams. experienced in obtaining suitable labour for development operations, and a gang of unemployed Natives from Ohinemutu and Whakarewarewa were employed, and did very good work.

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