C.—l.

Kelpe's Block. —This block, comprising 70 acres of pakihi terrace and sandy flat, has been treated on somewhat similar lines to Hateley's Block. Approximately 40 acres of pakihi terrace have been drained, treated with lime and superphosphate, and then sown to grass and clover. Morris's Block. —This area, comprising 300 acres, was taken over during the late summer. A start has been made with drainage and cleaning of the sandy flats, but most of the work in connection with the development of this block must stand over until the winter and coming spring. First Farm Unit. —Arrangements have been made for the establishment in the coming spring of the first farm unit on the Buller Domain. Forty heifers have been set aside as the milking-herd, and are now grazing the fields selected for the farm unit. Plans have been drawn up for the living-house, cow-bails, dairy-shed, &c., in connection with the establishment of this farm unit. The conduct of this dairy-farm should enable the potentialities of pakihi pastures to be thoroughly tested, and management problems associated with high rainfall and long winters on pakihi lands to be carefully studied. Flax Experiments. —In view of the striking difference of flax growth on the manurial plot established by the Cawthron Institute, it has been deemed advisable to extend these trials, using a special strain of Ngaro made available through the co-operation of Dr. Yates, of Massey College. It is considered that the conduct of these fertilizer trials with Phormium tenax will throw much light on the nutrition of flax, both from the point of view of yield and quality of fibre. Shelter-trees. —Further evidence has been obtained of the great importance of phosphates in the growth of trees and shelter-plants on pakihi land. The present system of selecting dry situations where shelter of tea-tree is available, and planting pines and gums after manurial treatment of the land, has given excellent results. Good growth of all trees and flax planted in this way was made during the past season, and it is anticipated that good shelter will be available in a few years. General. —The successful establishment of pasture over such a large area (800 acres) reflects great credit on the resident supervisor, Mr. C. Lemon. The drainage-work, construction of dams, and the uniform distribution of lime, fertilizer, and seed has been very carefully watched, and the results so far are distinctly promising. Experience on the Cawthron Institute plots indicates that new drainage problems will be encountered as consolidation of the peaty types of pakihi land proceeds. Pakihi lands with a clay loam or silt loam subsoil do not present the difficult drainage problems of the peaty type. The results so far obtained on the Buller Domain show that consolidation of the land is obtained more quickly on the former types, enabling a much better sward to be established. For these reasons, it is strongly recommended in any further development of pakihi land that the peaty types be avoided. Experience with stock on established pastures has shown great benefit from cobalt drenches and cobalt salt - bonemeal licks. In the case of calves suffering from ailment of the bush-sickness type, two drenches of cobalt-chloride solution per week supplying a total of 36 mg. cobalt (Co) weekly have given immediate benefit. For all stock on pakihi pastures a lick containing one part Nelson soil, one part dairy salt, and one part bonemeal, to which cobalt chloride has been added at the rate of 16 oz. per ton, is recommended. Licks made according to this formula have been used with success during the past season and are greatly relished by stock.

Table 1. —Return showing (approximately) Position of Lands in the Dominion at 31st March, 1938.

36

Total Area Land unfit for 'iwoi Amo fTrttoi a M o of Crown Lands Total Area of Settlement sold or cranted reserved for Ieased UQder Crown Lantlf Total Area (including Total Area District. ' j p„win all Tenures available for of Area occupied in Land Freehold Purnose, (exclusive of Future Native Land. by Rivers, District, treenoid. rurposes. Reserves leased Disposal. Lakes, Roads, by Crown). &c.). Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. North Auckland .. 2,633,421 448,884 512,991 149,700 515,77:6 217,428 4,478,200 Auckland .. .. 2,793,226 1,244,735 844,353 533,690 1,634,634 1,169,935 8,220,573 Gisborne .. .. 1,148,528 486,631 509,340 75,127 1,041,997 254,303 3,515,926 Hawke's Bay .. .. 1,574,458 202,728 519,643 41,410 371,256 208,391 2,917,886 Taranaki .. .. 1,124,620 346,088 610,063 85,466 165,711 72,483 2,404,431 Wellington* .. .. 3,543,280 1,073,186 782,456 126,397 786,024 739,726 7,051,069 Nelson .. .. 665,264 2,395,409 751,951 96,055 30,051 776,270 4,715,000 Marlborough .. .. 791,389 352,023 1,502,911 13,358 .. 108,319 2,768,000 Westland .. .. 171,634 2,175,471 647,983 399,179 .. 469,111 3,863,378 Canterbury .. .. 3,566,785 1,573,424 3,872,882 11,562 .. 453,777 9,478,430 Otago .. .. 1,988,899 956,480 5,409,393 54,416 .. 612,089 9,021,277 Southland .. .. 1,861,657 4,548,501 1,373,489 43,052 .. 129,327 7,956,026 Totals .. 21,863,161 15,803,560 17,337,455 1,629,412 4,545,449 5,211,159 66,390,196 * Includes Chatliaiti Islands.