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Kotuku.—This is a property acquired on 30th November last. It comprises 480 acres, is situated adjacent to Marton, and is being subdivided into four sections for mixed dairying and fattening. The principal items of development are roading, buildings, water-supply, and mole drainage. An ex-serviceman has been appointed as Manager with the right to an undefined section, and it is intended to farm the property by the Department during the coming season and to ballot the two remaining subdivisions and fix charges in 1947. Rata comprises an area of about 637 acres of flat country situated between Marton and Hunterville, which was purchased on 28th February. It is intended to subdivide the block into about seven dairying units, and negotiations are also in progress for the purchase of additional adjoining land which will provide additional sections. Apart from roading, buildings, fencing, and water-supply, a considerable amount of development work, drainage, stumping, and clearing rushes is required, and the property will probably have to be farmed by the Department for about two years before charges can be fixed. A Manager has been appointed with the right to an undefined section, and three other undefined sections have been disposed of by ballot to obtain the labour necessary to work the property. Opiki.—This single-unit property of 80 acres, situated in the Manawatu district, near Shannon, is to be developed as a dairy unit. It was acquired by purchase, and possession is being taken on 15th May. The agreement for sale and .purchase gave the Crown right of entry to carry out development work, and a commencement has been made, but it will not be possible to fix charges until 1947. In the meantime the section has been allocated by ballot, the successful settler will work on wages, and a small dairy herd will be milked next season. Development work includes provision of buildings, eradication of goat's-rue, and renewal of some of the pastures. Wainuioru.- —This block is situated east of Masterton and comprises the Tyneside property of 3,202 acres and 1,587 acres of Kumukumu. Both properties were purchased with possession on Ist March and 28th February respectively. In addition, negotiations are in progress for the purchase of two adjacent areas aggregating 800 acres. A considerable amount of roading is necessary, and until the proposed road is located by the Public Works Department it is not possible to finalize a scheme of subdivision, bubit is anticipated that eight or nine sections will be obtained suitable for sheep and cattle grazing and fattening. An ex-serviceman has been appointed as Manager with the right to an undefined section, and a ballot has also been held for four other undefined sections to provide the necessary labour. Charges cannot be fixed before 1947 at least, and in the meantime the property is fully stocked and is being farmed by the Department. Kawhatau.—This property of 1,497 acres is situated east of Taihape and was purchased on 4th March. It is all good clean hill country suitable for sheep and cattle and it is being subdivided into two sections. An ex-serviceman was appointed as Manager with the right to one of the subdivisions, and the other section has been disposed •of by ballot. Development includes buildings, fencing, and water-supply, and it is hoped to fix charges in time for the 1946-47 season. The property is fully stocked at present and is being farmed by the Department. Cherrybank is situated adjacent to Wanganui and was purchased with possession on Ist April, but the Department had the right of prior entry to carry out development work, which comprises buildings, fencing, water-supply, drainage, gorse-clearing, and pasture-renewal. Considerable progress has been made, but it will not be possible to fix charges for next season, and suitable stock is being acquired with a view to the Department farming the property until the winter of 1947. The area is 384 acres and will subdivide into three sections, one of which will be a mixed dairy and fat-lamb unit, and the other two dairying or mixed farming, as the tenants choose. The property is suitably situated for town milk-supply. An ex-serviceman was appointed as Manager with the right to an undefined section, and the other two sections have been disposed of by ballot and the three men are now working on wages.

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