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Mamaranui (Locality : Dargaville).—This property, which is situated near Dargaville, contains 959 acres, and provision is being made for four farms. A good deal of development work, including roading, clearing, fencing, and erection of buildings, will be necessary, and a start has been made with this work. At present the area is being farmed with sheep and cattle. Hillcrest (Locality : Waikiekie, North Auckland). —Of the total area of 620 acres, 200 acres is being share-farmed. Considering the dry spell, the returns were fairly satisfactory, although much lower than previous year. Kopuriki (Part Galatea Block). —This area of 2,800-acres was purchased on 30th April, 1945, and it will be developed in conjunction with Galatea. Eventually it is hoped that twenty dairy-farms will be established on this area. Ha/puakohe (Locality : Hoe-o-Tainui). —Possession of this area of approximately 400 acres was taken on Ist July, 1945, and the property has been subdivided into four dairy units. In addition to some cultivation and fencing work, an access road was formed and metalled, a water-supply installed, and farm buildings erected. Two sections were balloted during the year, and after a period on wages the two ex-servicemen were allotted sections from Ist September, 1945. It is expected that the remaining two sections will be settled before the commencement of next dairy season. Tirau (Locality : Tirau). —This area of approximately 700 acres was taken over on 16th April, 1945, and subdivided into three dairy-farms and one sheep-farm. Improvements effected included extensive subdivisional fencing, water reticulation, and the erection of farm buildings. Following a ballot, four ex-servicemen were employed on wages for a short time, the sections being allotted to them from Ist September, 1945. Mangawara (Locality : Orini). —Three ex-servicemen were established during the year on this dairying property, which comprised 282 acres. Subdivisional and boundary fences and farm buildings were erected prior to settlement, and after milking on wages for a few months the ex-servicemen took possession on Ist September, 1945, about four months after the property was acquired by the Crown. Waitoa (Locality : Waitoa). —Two properties totalling 745 acres were taken over in April and June, 1945, and subdivided into nine dairy-farms. Four ex-servicemen were allotted sections from Ist October, 1945, and another one will be settled next July. The remaining four sections require buildings and an access road and it will not be possible to, ballot these until next year. Otakiri (Locality : Otakiri). —Possession of this settlement of 412 acres was taken on Ist June, 1945, and provision made for four dairy units. Two ex-servicemen were allotted sections and two others are milking herds on wages. One new dwelling has been completed and arrangements have been made for the erection of another. It is expected that the wages men will be granted leases at the commencement of the coming season. Ototoa (Locality : Helensville). —At the beginning of the 1945-46 dairying season two ex-servicemen were established. The remaining portions of the block were used for grazing dairy calves and run cattle. During the year steady progress was made with the building requirements, water-supply, and fencing for the other seven sections. It is estimated that all the work will be finished and the seven sections ready for settlement for the 1946-47 dairying season. From present indications it is apparent that these sections will make successful dairy units. During the drought the whole area stood up to full stock-carrying conditions, and, in addition, 3,000 bales of hay were harvested. Lake View (Locality : Ahipara).—This area was taken over in June, 1945, and subdivided into two dairy units. At the commencement of the 1945-46 dairying season one unspecified section was allotted on a share-milking basis and 80 cows were milked by the ex-servicemen. Two new cottages have been completed and new cow-sheds and piggeries are being erected. A new water-supply is to be installed, and a ballot for another sections will be held before the commencement of next season.

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