Gh—lo.

Maketu : Te Puke. This scheme embraces an area of 422 acres and is bounded on the eastern side by the Kaituna River. Frequent flooding of this river continually upsets the development programme, and progress has not been altogether satisfactory. Eight men were provided with work in clearing 64 of gorse and keeping in check ragwort and blackberries on 160 acres, besides cleaning up and opening 2 miles of drains. One unit is established, and has gradually built up a herd of 41 cows, 11 of which were supplied by the Department. One-third of his cream cheques are now secured to the Department. It will not be possible to commence dairying on the balance of the area for some considerable time to come, as it is essential to have second growth gorse and other rubbish crushed out before stocking with cows. During the year 158 head of beef cattle were utilized for crushing purposes. As at 31st March, 1936, there were, besides the unit's herd, 115 bullocks, 42 beef heifers, 22 dairy heifers, and 4 horses running on the property. Maketu : Motiti Island. This scheme is on Motiti Island off the coast of Tauranga, and takes in a total area of 852 acres. No assistance has been provided during the past year, as the Natives have been capable of producing enough from the soil to maintain themselves. The loan accounts were considerably reduced by the sale of maize in December, the units allocating the Department 427 bags, which were sold and credited to their accounts. In addition, substantial credits in the form of rents which the Natives assigned to the Department, have been utilized in reduction of the liability outstanding. Maketu : Pukaingataru. This scheme, totalling 211 acres, maintains two units who have reached the self-supporting stage, the Department taking a proportion of their cream returns, which is ample to cover repayment of principal and payment of interest. The butterfat returns for the twelve months ending 31st March, 1936, totalled 13,294 lb. Tauranga : Kaitimako. This scheme, situated on the southern side of the Tauranga - Te Puke Road, about a mile and a half from the Tauranga Town boundary, contains 595 acres, of which 540 acres are in grass. Consolidation of pastures is being proceeded with preparatory to the subdivision of the block. For this purpose, 190 beef cattle, 670 wethers, and 700 ewes were used and carried through the winter. Work during the year was of a developmental nature and consisted of top-dressing the grassed area, fencing 3 miles, cleaning 2 miles drains, and grubbing second-growth gorse over the whole of the area. The stock on the property at 31st March, 1936, was : 1,281 ewes, 33 rams, 15 bullocks, 15 run heifers, 58 run calves, and 104 beef cows. Tauranga : Hairini. This property is a self-contained farm, and all in grass. The Native unit has a large family, and assistance in the nature of unemployment work is granted him from time to time on Kaitimako. Tauranga : Whetu Werohia. This is farmed by a Native unit, and is a Soldiers Land Settlement property taken over from the Lands Department. The block, containing 171 acres, was at one time all in grass but reverted to second growth. Since being taken over by the Native Department, 100 acres have been grassed and extensive fencing and draining carried out. The property is not yet ready for dairying, but there are now running on the place 352 ewes and 7 rams. Ruatahuna. Situated in the valley at the head of the Whakatane River in the heart of the Urewera, this scheme was undertaken with the idea of assisting the Natives of this section of the Tuhoe tribe with sufficient work to provide them with the necessaries of life. The work is subsidized from the Maori employment grant. Nevertheless the Department's interest in the settlement has been of great educational value, and the liability to the State is now decreasing annually. At 31st March there were 3,408 sheep and 100 head of beef cattle secured to the Crown by bill of sale. There are now 20 units with loan accounts established, and all advances are covered by ample security to the Department. In the course of the year approximately 500 acres were cleared, two miles of the Matatua Road formed, and seven miles of fencing erected. Where land was suitable, turnips were cropped to provide stock with feed during the severe winters which are experienced in the locality.

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