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Wami-Pukawa Development operations have recently commenced on Pukawa 2a and Waihi-Kahakaroa 2 and 3a and an area of 500 acres sown in grass, of which 350 acres is in permanent pasture. This course was rendered necessary owing to a fire which burnt through the scrub and fern during the late summer, and advantage was taken of the excellent seed-bed provided by the ash. It is intended to ring-fence the area at an early date and stock will be provided in the coming spring. These lands are situated on the elevated plateau at the south-western end of Lake Taupo, and the scheme has great potentialities as a farming proposition. Wangaehu The total area is 196 acres, comprising 120 acres in pasture and the "balance in medium to heavy gorse growth. A marked improvement has been effected in the control of second-growth gorse by increased subdivisional fencing and rotational grazing under strict control. The water-supply is confined to dams on the lower levels, and for this reason it is not considered that dairying on a large scale should be undertaken. It will probably be some years before the gorse is entirely under control, and the property should then support one unit grazing ewes and wethers and possibly a small dairy herd. IKAROA NATIVE LAND COURT DISTRICT The boundaries of this district enclose Manawatu, Wairarapa, and the greater part of Hawke's Bay. Fortunately, the drought experienced over most of New Zealand during the past summer did not have any disastrous •effect on development schemes in this district, while the extra outlet cut at the mouth of the Manawatu River has brought relief from the usual flooding that in the past has affected the lands in that area. Homewood This scheme is on the east coast of the North Island approximately fortytwo miles from Masterton. It is situated in what might be termed a dry area, as on an average every third season is a dry one of almost drought intensity. This season was no exception, there being no rain for months and at one stage the position looked very serious, but now the feed outlook is good and all stock is in good order to enter the winter. Sheep and cattle are the main source of revenue, as the major portion of the block is secondclass hill country and undeveloped. It is considered that about 550 acres w r ould be better suited for growing trees than for pasture. Of the total area, approximately 450 acres can be cultivated and cropped, and this year, as an •experiment, 7 acres of Montgomery red clover was harvested. Thirteen and a half bags of seed were threshed and will realize an estimated return of £35 per sack. This year 20 acres of scrub were cut and ploughed and 25 acres ■of worn-out pasture broken up. As more labour becomes available, these areas will be increased. Makirikiri This scheme is in the Wairarapa district about four miles from the Mangamahoe Railway-station. Climatic conditions were normal on this block during the year. The area used for stock is approximately 275 acres, the balance being in bush and scrub. "An area of 15 acres has been stumped and cleared of timber and is now ready for cultivation This was a particularly dirty area and, with timber and blackberry, was a home for rabbits and ragwort, both of which are plentiful on this scheme.

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