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OPERATIONS UNDER THE LAND LAWS AMENDMENT ACT, 1929. Commissioner of Crown Lands, North Auckland. The only block being developed under the control of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, North Auckland, is Batten's Block, at Waipu. This area is an abandoned discharged-soldier-settlement security, and is being farmed and improved with a view to future disposal. Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland. The only block under this heading controlled by the Superintendent is the Galatea Estate, and on this area pastures continue to show a very definite improvement despite the heavy reduction in fertilizer available. In addition to the ordinary station farming, 850 cows were milked on shares in fourteen herds. The Superintendent is also conducting an experiment on the development of the ironstone country at Kerikeri. This area is known as the Kapiro Block, and work was confined during the year to the top-dressing and stocking of the experimental area of 60 acres of permament pasture and the controlling of the growth of gorse. Commissioner of Crown Lands, New Plymouth. Farming on four areas in the Taranaki District is under the control of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The areas in question are all abandoned Crown leaseholds or discharged-soldier-settlement securities which it has been necessary to farm or improve with a view to future disposal. The areasare Cole's, Robinson's, Whangamomona, and Hawke's. Access to the Whangamomona Block was by metalled road twelve miles from Whangamomona. The road has given a lot of trouble in the past, and during the summer severe cloud-bursts destroyed, the road in numerous places, and it became necessary to abandon operations. The season's wool has not been taken out, and it will not be possible to do so until dry weather is assured. The stock has been sold, and were driven out over rough tracks. On Hawke's Farm a dairy herd is milked on shares. The season has proved disappointing in view of the prevalence of contagious abortion, which resulted in butterfat-production being 35 per cent, below the estimated figure. Whole milk is now supplied from this property to help the drive for greater cheese-production. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Napier. During the year operations, naturally restricted in view of the supply position mentioned elsewhere in this report, were continued on the four blocks in the Hawke's Bay District —Kakariki,, Kaheka, Waihau, and Parinui. At Kakariki a large amount of work has still to be done, but the block will eventually make a good closer-settlement proposition, provided adequate supplies of fertilizer are available. The Kaheka Block when taken over in 1938 carried a great deal of second growth, and fences were in a deplorable state. A heavy programme of new fencing and reconditioning old fencing has been, carried out, and in addition large areas cleared of scrub and surface sown. The block as a whole does not lend itself particularly well to subdivision, but nevertheless two good combined sheep and dairying properties and three grazing propositions could be obtained. Waihau and Parinui are holdings which have reverted to the Department, and are beingreconditioned with a view to future disposal. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Gisborne. The Te Wera Station, a block purchased in 1927 for closer settlement, is under the control of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Gisborne. Very little development work was carried out during the year. The station carries a standard flock, and the liberal use of cobalt is required to control bush sickness. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington. In this district the only operations are on an area of 100 acres of sandy coastal country at Tangimoana ; 50 acres were laid down in grass in 1940, and a further 50 acres in 1941. The success obtained has indicated that further development could proceed on adjoining areas, but the time is not opportune to extend the work. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Blenheim. Operations comprise the working of a fully-developed orchard property (Torode's), and the development and farming of a cattle run —Molesworth-Tarndale Station. The latter area reverted to the Crown in 1938, and was given two years' rest to enable the process of regeneration, to commence. Work entailed now comprises rabbiting, fencing, regrassing,. establishment of plantations, and cattle-raising. It is anticipated that a large draft of fat cattle will be leaving the station early in the new financial year. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch. Work in the Canterbury District is confined to six blocks, and naturally heavy cultivation programmes are necessary on nearly all blocks. Twenty-six acres of linen flax were grown on Brinklands Block, and 12 acres on the Tripp Block. The McKenzie Block, of 199 acres, which is a dairying unit was worked for the first time on a share basis, with much improved results. To meet the need for greater cheese-production a change over to whole-milk supply was made during the year. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin. Arclif is the only block in this district being developed under this heading. The work involved is mainly the grassing of large areas previously eaten out and over-run with brown-top. The block contains several properties which have reverted to the Crown and must be reconditioned before being reselected.

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