G.—l.

Following is a summary of the work carried out since the commencement of operations on this block :— Chains. Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 180 Draining .. .. . . .. .. . . . . . . 212 Road-formation .. .. .. . . . . . . . . 125 Acres. Cleared and burnt .. . . . . . . . . .. . . 600 Grassing .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 390 Top-dressed .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 180 Number. Huts erected .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Cottages erected .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Horse-sheds .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Garages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Murupara (1,470 acres). —One section is still being farmed by this Department, bullocks and dry stock being grazed. This area is the lightest on the block, and further consolidation and stocking is required before it will be suitable for settlement. Broadlands (1,000 acres). —The remaining area on this block was included in the previously settled farms, and the Department's stock disposed of. Edgecumbe Block.—When development-work on this block was commenced in November, 1937, a camp consisting of eleven huts was established. In April, 1936, an area of 16 acres was laid down in grass as an experiment, and this has become so well established that during the recent dry spell the pasture maintained a good and steady growth. From time to time stock from Tarawera No. 2 Block have been grazed on this area. Following the establishment of the camp, work was commenced clearing an area of approximately 115 acres of flat land adjoining the Tarawera River at the north-eastern corner of the block. Good progress was made with this work, and during March the final cultivation, sowing, and manuring of this area was completed. During January a tractor was transferred from Galatea, and the store-shed from Tarawera. With a view to the further development of the block, an investigation of a probable water-supply was made. Tests taken during dry weather showed a flow of 115,000 gallons per day, which should be ample for the development needs. In connection with the proposed access by way of a road through Native land on the eastern side of the Tarawera River, and a new bridge, an inspection of the route was made in conjunction with an officer of the Public Works Department. Clearing along the line of the road is being undertaken by the Native Department, and on completion of the necessary formalities it should be possible to proceed with formation work in the near future. Following is a summary of the main works undertaken up to the 31st March, 1938 Chains. Fencing .. .. . . . . .. .. .. 96 Acres. Clearing .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 125 Cultivating and grassing . . .. .. .. .. 129 Number. Huts erected .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 Store-shed .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Bathroom . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. 1 Orini Block (167 acres). —This block comprises an area of heavy swamp land on the Rangitaiki Plains. In November a camp was established and a commencement made immediately with the construction of new drains and the improvement of existing drains in the area, sufficient fences being erected to permit of grazing the area. Although the area is somewhat low-lying and subject to flood, it is anticipated that in the coming year sufficient permanent pasture and rough feed, mainly paspalum, will be established to make the area of considerable value for grazing stock from the Tarawera and Edgecumbe Blocks. It will later be used for topping off bullocks from these areas. The following is a summary of work carried out to date : — Number. Huts erected .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Chains. Drains excavated .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 141 Drains cleaned .. . . .. .. .. .. 38 Fences erected .. . . .. . . .. .. 30 Drain-lines cleared . . .. . . .. .. . . 24 Galatea Estate. —The following is a summary of the work carried out on the Galatea Estate by this branch for the year ending 31st March, 1938 : — Clearing : During the period under review areas totalling 458 acres were cleared in preparation for cultivation and the laying-down of crops and pasture. Fencing : 2,396 chains of fencing have been erected. These fences include section and road boundaries, subdivisional fences, and fences for the purpose of controlling pastures and croppingareas. Posts have been obtained from the Crown bush at Te Whaiti, where a gang has been employed continuously throughout the year.

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