G—lo

In the matter of subsidies a drastic reduction was decided upon, and Supervisors generally report that this has effected an improved outlook on the part of the unit occupiers. Times are good at present in the matter of employment offering to unit farmers in the off months, and while it has been the policy to permit units to work outside if their farms are being adequately managed, a constant eye is kept on those who are likely to jeopardize their farm work for the additional money of casual labour. Reports on individual schemes are appended. Brents Farm Situated three and a half miles from Rotorua, comprising 335 acres of freehold and 49 acres of leasehold, the property is the base farm for stock movements in the Rotorua central district. Pastures are in first-class condition and the farm was carrying at 31st March 194 run cattle. In addition, sheep from other schemes are handled during the seasonal operations and 17,700 sheep were shorn last season, while 6,447 head of cattle were purchased and transferred to other schemes. Casual labour for the stock work is obtained from stockmen and hands from other schemes with twenty-five casuals -engaged from time to time for the seasonal operations. This has given a fair measure of work to the local Maoris. Drought conditions were particularly severe during January and February, but by judicious management and feeding the stock was! kept in a satisfactory condition. Six hundred fat lambs were sent to the freezing-works, and this, combined with the regular sales! of fat cattle and wethers to the local market, has enabled the finances once more to reflect a very favourable position. Kaitimako The 595 acres of this scheme are easy and rolling in contour and situated on the Tauranga -Te Puke Highway about five miles from Tauranga. There were originally 953 acres in this block, but three unit settlers have been established and these are now under the Waiariki units section of the accounts. Kapenga No. 2 Located on the south side of the Rotorua-Atiamuri Road about seven miles from Rotorua, this property adjoins Tuhourangi and Kapenga schemes. It covers 400 acres, all of which are suitable for development and are in permanent grass. Ultimately the area will be subdivided into 100-acre farms. Mangatawa A new water-supply has been installed,. Polled-Angus breeding-cows are now being run on the property with satisfactory results. Fat-stock sales during the year have been very good. Second-growth gorse is still requiring attention, and this provides general farm work employment for five men. This property has not yet reached a stage suitable for subdivision into smaller holdings. Matata There are five established units and one share-milker on this scheme, which lies on the coastal plain about twenty-five miles north of Whakatane. the share-milking herd is now self-supporting, with the exception of the purchase of tested bulls.

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