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The lack of adequate supplies of fertilizer again prevented progress being made •on the purely development blocks, and in most areas the pastures have suffered. Production was higher than in the previous drought year, but generally the effects of the drought were apparent during the year in both stock and pastures. Awaroa (Locality : Kuawai). —Area, 287 acres. Possession date, Ist February, 1945. Subdivision, three dairy-farms. The buildings are completed, but the pastures are so badly deteriorated and infested with tall fescue that settlement cannot be finalized, and in the meantime ex-servicemen are employed on wages, with the promise of sections, to complete the development programme. The water-supply difficulty has not yet been solved satisfactorily and a winter run-off area has still to be acquired before this block can be settled. Bradleys (Locality: Te Kopuru). —Area, 1,249 acres. Possession date, 15th January, 1941. Subdivision not yet finalized. Some 1,150 acres are under development, and approximately 450 acres are now in permanent grass. Increased fertilizer allocation has made further progress possible and also assisted in the maintenance of existing pastures. Last season's experiment of harrowing and sowing 50 acres of undeveloped sandy country gave fair results, and a further 250 acres are receiving similar treatment. At present 110 acres are in crops, and another 100 acres are to be cultivated and grassed next year. As very little new fencing can be undertaken owing to lack of wire, grassing has occupied the main development plan. Test bores for water failed, and a comprehensive engineering survey is planned to improve the supply, which is inadequate. Brooldands (Locality: Papakura). —Area, 378 acres. Possession date, Ist February, 1945. Subdivision, two dairy farms and one mixed farm. One of the dairy sections was allotted in September, 1945, and charges have been fixed on this section. The other two farms were allotted at the commencement of the 1946-47 season on a wages basis. The necessary buildings and other improvements on these two sections will be completed and charges fixed at the commencement of the 1947-48 season. Bruntwood (Locality : Bruntwood). —Area, 166 acres. Possession date, Ist June, 1945. Subdivision, two dairy-farms. New buildings were erected, a water-supply installed, and fences erected and repaired. After a short period on wages, two exservicemen took over on fixed charges as from Ist September, 1946. Edgecumbe (Locality: Edgecumbe).—Area, 7,308 acres. Possession date, Bth August, 1936. Subdivision not yet finalized. There has been little alteration on this block. Dry conditions resulted in a good clearing up of fern and roughage, and paspalum has been sown on a portion as a trial to determine if it will establish and hold up the ash on the hilly country. An area of 25 acres has been sown in lucerne —the dry weather adversely affected the take, but it is expected to improve. When materials are available, the water-supply on the block will be extended and will make a better control of fern, &c., possible without undue work for live-stock. Orini (Part Edgecumbe Block). —This block has improved under the dry conditions and it has continued to be used in conjunction with Edgecumbe for fattening the older bullocks and cull female stock. Fairview (Locality : Waimana). —Area, 1,978 acres. Possession date, 15th June, 1945. Subdivision, two dairy and three sheep farms. The dairy herd milked on shares gave good returns, as this area did not suffer severely from the dry weather. A good clearing of fern has been obtained with the steers and wethers carried. Internal and boundary fences have been repaired and have made the crushing possible, but more of this work is necessary. A farm road has been formed in preparation for transport of manure, and crushing will continue. This block will respond to top-dressing when available. Galatea (Locality: Murupara).—Area, 24,993 acres. Possession date, 1931. Subdivision not yet finally planned. Eleven sections, each averaging approximately 150 acres, were allotted on wages during the year to ex-servicemen, and charges were fixed on two sections which were occupied on wages pending completion of their develops ment. Building progress has been slow owing to material shortages, but contra ctfor the erection of another five houses have been let and these may be completed in time

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