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Broadlands Block (865 Acres). (Control: Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland.) The 865 acres known as Broadlands, lying thirty-two miles south of Rotorua, and obtaining its access from the Rotorua-Taupo main road, was a gift from Mr. E. Earle Vaile to the Crown to assist in the settlement of the unemployed on the land, and has justified its development, which was carried out by the Chief Drainage Engineer. About 830 acres have been subdivided into eight sections ranging from 56 acres to 156 acres, and eight settlers are in occupation. All the settlers are doing well, and have been given partial control of their affairs. Lucerne patches have been put down on each section, and the settlers should be able to gradually bring the sections up to their maximum carrying-capacity out of revenue. Three hundred and thirty-eight cows are being milked. Park's Block (380 Acres). (Control : Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland.) Puahue (Park's) Block is a block of 380 acres between eight and nine miles from Te Awamutu, and was purchased in March, 1934, from Mr. W. Gr. Park. The area was divided into six sections of an average size of 44 acres, and one larger one which was subsequently disposed of for cash. The six " B " class settlers are firmly established, five being original selectors, and they should have no difficulty in meeting their commitments. Blackshaw's Block (239 Acres). (Control : Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland.) This block of 236 acres situated about four miles and a half from the Town of Cambridge was acquired from the Public Trustee in the beginning of 1934. It has been developed by the Chief Drainage Engineer, and two settlers have been permanently established on sections of 39 acres and 45 acres. Three other farmers are occupying sections of 50 acres each on probation pending completion of the clearing-up of part of their holdings, which work was retarded by two wet summers. The work will be completed shortly, and the settlers can then be permanently settled. Milking-machines have been installed, and the men are progressing steadily with the development of their sections to their full capacity. The conversion of this area of waste land to a good producing area adds a decided asset to a rich dairying district. Whangamarino Island Block (1,093 Acres). (Control: Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland.) The Whangamarino Island Block, situated in the Whangamarino swamp area not far from the Township of Mercer, and connected by metalled road with Te Kauwhata Township sixteen miles away, was one of the first blocks of vacant Crown land recommended for development bv a special advisory committee in 1930 and the first block to be developed for the purposes of the Small Farms Board. Its development was completed e'arly in 1934, and this total area of 84-2 acres was then subdivided into nine sections of up to 160 acres in area and allotted to applicants for small farms under the provisions of the Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Act, 1932-33. In the hands of these settlers the block is proving eminently suitable for dairying, and, whilst the results which are being obtained are highly satisfactory, further progress and production can safely be anticipated as the land and pastures mature and closer fencing into smaller paddocks and also planting trees for shelter are carried out in accordance with the recognized requirements of this particular line of farming. The estimated revenue for the 1938-39 season ranges from 7,0001b. to 16,2501b. butterfat per section. The most productive holding will return in the vicinity of £1,200 for the year. Mill Road Block (147 Acres). (Control: Commissioner of Crown Lands," Auckland.) This block, which is situated only three to four miles from Paeroa, comprises 147 acres, part of which had been handed back to the Crown, the balance being purchased from the Natives. It was in a very dirty abandoned state when development work was commenced on 100 acres towards the end of 1933. This 100 acres is occupied by two men who have been employed on the development work since the inception, and each is milking thirty cows besides running a considerable number of pigs. The balance of the block, 47 acres, has lately been cleared by the Public Works Department, and after a rearrangement of the boundaries the two men will have farms of roughly 70 acres, each carrying forty cows and dry stock and pigs. Although the cost of clearing the block has been high owing to the heavy draining required and a succession of unfavourable seasons, an eyesore has been converted into a productive block with a good prospective value.

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