c.—i:

Brough's Block (1,054 Acres). The lease of this section being forfeited early in 1936 and all efforts to have it reselected being unsuccessful, it was decided towards the end of 1938 that the Small Farms Board should attempt reconditioning. Approximately 300 acres is capable of development, and this has been cleared of scrub and fern, while swamps have been drained, fences reconditioned, and necessary facilities for the handling of the area have been established. Control work has been carried out with dry sheep and cattle. Ellicott's Block (3,158 Acres). This block is made up of the original holding acquired by the Small Farms Board in 1933 and a section of Crown land of 258 acres which was subsequently added. When-work was first commenced the whole area with the exception of some 60 acres was covered with scrub, fern, and tutu, heavily infested with ragwort. The area was roaded and twelve dwellings erected and the easier areas cleared of rubbish and grassed. Heavy control was exercised by using big flocks of dry sheep and the ragwort on the newly-grassed portions kept in check. During this season the more difficult areas linking up those already developed have been tackled, and a large block of some 500 acres was burnt and surface sown this autumn. Owing to the ragwort, Ellicott's will have to remain sheep-controlled for some years to come, though two dairy herds, one of thirty cows and another of sixty-five cows, have shown what may be expected when further development has allowed better grasses to establish themselves. Foss's Block (438 Acres). Originally a section completely reverted to fern, scrub, and ragwort, this block has been grassed to the extent of 350 acres, while a new house and wool-shed have been built, fences erected, and a comprehensive water-supply installed. Approximately 45 acres remain to be developed, the balance being unsuitable. Time and careful stocking are still required to consolidate this'light land and gain control of ragwort. The block when completed will make one very useful mixed farming proposition. Henderson's Block (786 Acres). This block, situated within a few miles of Otorohanga Township, comprises easy slopes falling into a heavily-timbered swamp. When taken up for development the property was derelict, with the slopes heavily infested with ragwort and the swamp practically undrained. A road has been formed to give access to the swamp land, main and subsidiary drains constructed, and the ragwort areas regrassed or reconditioned. The necessary buildings and fences have been erected, and the more lightly timbered portions of the swamp have been cleared of surface timber. This is a most promising block situated in a good district, but further time is required to develop and consolidate the swamp land. Kairangi Block (1,952 Acres). This was one of the blocks taken over from the Waikato Land Settlement Society in June, 1938. At that time 270 acres had already been alienated in the establishment of five settlers, and since the Department assumed control a further 567 acres has been similarly alienated in accordance with the agreement entered into with the Society. The balance of 1,115 acres is in the process of development in readiness for an extension of settlement. The block is well situated in a good district, and future prospects of successful settlement are bright. The existing settlers are making a good showing. Karakariki Block (2,407 Acres). This block is made up of the original Karakariki Settlement of 2,043 acres taken over in June, 1938, from the Waikato Land Settlement Society and an adjoining area of 364 acres which was purchased the following year. At the time the Department assumed control an area of 255 acres had already been alienated by the Society in the establishment of five settlers, and since that time a further area of 715 acres has been similarly alienated and nine more settlers established. Of the balance of 1,437 acres, approximately 1,000 acres is steep bush-clad hills which it is not intended to develop, while the remainder is easier country covered with scrub, blackberry, and gorse, except for 150 acres which has recently been cleared and grassed. Several years must elapse before work is fully completed, as the regrowth of gorse and blackberry will require constant attention until completely eradicated. Future prospects for this block are reasonably good and the existing settlers are making a very fair showing. Kaeaea Block (1,638 Acres). Situated not far distant from Aria Township, this block comprises an amalgamation of four abandoned properties and an area of Crown land all adjacent to each other. The block is made up of steep to easy faces of very good quality land falling into raupo-covered swamps. Work was commenced towards the end of 1939, and the first work was to open up over eight miles of main and subsidiary drains through the swamp so that what was virtually a lagoon of 350 acres would not obstruct the easy handling of the area. All fences were in a derelict condition, and these have been overhauled and either renewed entirely or renovated, while an area of over 400 acres of scrubcovered hill land has been cleared and surface sown. Bridges have been erected over the large drains, and over 200 chains of farm roads have been constructed. Situated as it is, and having consideration for the quality of the land, this block, once the swamp has been developed, has bright prospects.

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