GK—lO.

During the year accounts have been adjusted on a number of schemes, and unallocated expenditure has been apportioned to the respective unit sections. Water-supply installation costs have also been adjusted, and settlers charged with a water-rate on a carrying-capacity basis. The replacement of dairy stock is a big item each year, and it is difficult to educate units to successfully rear their own replacements as they are apt to regard the feeding with new milk during the first few weeks of a calf's life as pure waste. As Ngatiawa becomes more developed and hay crops can be grown, it will probably be more economical to purchase weaner heifers and hold them until they come into profit rather than buy in-calf heifers each year. On the small farms such as at Ruatoki, it is problematical whether it is not more economical to milk to full capacity and replace by purchasing each year rather than rear the heifer calves for this purpose. The returns for the year under review show an improvement over previous years, and it should be possible after the next season to considerably curtail expenditure on a number of the, established units and to maintain their farms out of revenue. During the year the field stafi was strengthened by the appointment of an officer specially chosen for instructional work in stock-management and dairy-control. A graduate (B.Agr.Sc.) from the Massey Agricultural College, well equipped for carrying out this important function, was chosen, and has been attached to the Ruatoki scheme as Assistant Supervisor. A review of each undertaking comprising the Bay of Plenty group of schemes is give as under :—■ Ngatiawa. Named after the tribe occupying lands around Whakatane, this scheme comprises an area of 5,315 acres, of which 4,300 are suitable for development, 1,600 acres are in permanent pasture, and 700 acres in rough feed. Pastures and Crops.—The climatic conditions of the year under review have been ideal for this class of country, the rainfall being above the average, with the result that feed has been plentiful throughout the growing season. The pastures have stooled into a good sward and, providing topdressing is continued for another two years, there will be no danger of this country reverting to native grass and second growth. The area sown last autumn of approximately 200 acres is also coming into quite a good pasture, although for some time the fern was very thick, but after continual heavy stocking it appears to be well in hand. This portion was top-dressed with 2 cwt super, during the year. The rough feed is chiefly in the gullies on Eiver's block, and stands a good deal of feeding during the winter months. An area of 75 acres of turnips was sown with a little temporary mixture of grass, and this crop is a fair average one, and will be a good standby for hoggets and weaner cattle during the winter months. Stock. —The following stock was on the property at 31st March, 1936 : — Cattle— Sheep— £, :: :: :. m 65 Run cows 193 Wethers 83 Heifers .. .. ..123 Ewes .. .. .. 1,978 Calves .. .. .. 137 Hoggets .. .. .. 897 These tallies were taken after the autumn sales when all the surplus stock had been disposed of. All stock has done exceedingly well, and heavy cullings have been carried out during the past two years to improve the general standard. At the local sales the stock from this scheme topped the autumn fairs for both cattle and sheep. The grown sheep averaged 8| lb. wool, while the lambing percentage was 90 per cent. It is the practice to mate 400 aged ewes with black face rams, dispose of the lambs as fats, and cull the ewes. The balance of flock ewes are mated with Romney rams and retained for the purpose of keeping up the flock. The only trouble experienced among the sheep was facial eczema last autumn, and parasitic infestation with the hoggets. The latter were drenched, and all the badly affected ones culled out and sold. The cattle are principally straight black Polled Angus, and although a good strain, are shy breeders, the calving percentage not exceeding 50 per cent. It is proposed during the coming season to cross thirty cows with Herefords with the object of increasing the calving percentage. Work undertaken during past year. —The following is a summary of the work carried out apart from the general station routine : — (a) Fencing 300 chains new, 350 chains repair. (b) Draining 100 chains new, 1,400 chains repair. (c) Clearing 700 acres, second growth, rushes, lupin, &c. (d) Stumping and ploughing, 80 acres. (e) Sown in turnips, 73 acres. All pasture was top-dressed with 2 cwt. per acre. Sales.—Wool, 25,192 lb., gross value £725. Stock—Cattle, 78 head, gross value £396 ; ewes, 348 head, wethers, 108 head, lambs, 326 (stores), lambs, 239 (fats), gross value £1,038.

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