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for the 1947-48 season. A further fifteen sections should be ready for the following: season. Development mainly confined to sowing of lucerne, 400 acres ; swede crops,. 200 acres ; and permanent pasture, 300 acres (excellent strikes were obtained on all areas); boundary and subdivisional fencing for new sections ; water-supplies and piggeries. An area of approximately 200 acres of the Kopuriki Block was ploughed and planted with swedes. Although the season was very dry, pastures remained in good order, due to extra top growth obtained by lighter sheep-stocking. In spite of the dry season, dairy returns were good, due mainly to lucerne stands. Dairying is now on a very sound basis in this area. Glorit (Locality : Kaipara Harbour). —This area of tidal mud flats is under development, by the Public Works Department. Little work has been carried out during recent years,, the sown pastures being grazed by this Department. Hapuakohe (Locality : Te Hoe). —Area, 400 acres. Possession date, Ist July, 1945. Subdivision, four dairy-farms. Two ex-servicemen weje settled at the commencement of the 1945-46 season, and following the completion of the access road, water-supply, and buildings the remaining two sections were allotted on Ist September, 1946, completing the settlement of this block. Hillcrest (Locality : Waikiekie). —Area, 661 acres. Possession date, Ist June, 1944. Subdivision not yet finalized. Approximately 180 acres are grassed, and a start hasbeen made with the cultivation of a further 80-100 acres of the poorer scrub country, which will be left fallow for twelve months before grassing can be carried out with any degree of success. A herd of ninety cows milked on share produced 17,000 lb. of butterfat. Much of this block is poor-quality land of a clay-gum nature and will take considerable time to develop to a sufficient stage for settlement. Kaitaia (Locality: Kaitaia). —Area, 2,305 acres. Possession date, 10th April,. 1934. Subdivision not finally planned. The conditions experienced during the past year have been arduous and disappointing, as for the second summer in succession fires have swept the area, causing considerable damage to shelter-belts, fences, and bridges. Owing to continuous consolidation, the grass paddocks are becoming too rough to enable a mower to be used and it is difficult to control the vigorous growth of paspalum. Kapiro (Locality : Kerikeri). Area, 60 acres. Possession date, 1938. An experimental area of 47 acres in the ironstone belt near Kerikeri was sown in grass in 1939-40. This area has been regularly top-dressed and grazed with dairy stock. Pasture establishment has been satisfactory and dairy returns are considered reasonable. KaraJca (Locality : Karaka). —Area, 220 acres. Possession date, 30th November, 1944. Subdivision, two dairy-farms. Both units were allotted on a wages basis in March, 1946, the successful applicants being employed on development work till 30th June, 1946, when charges were fixed and the ex-servicemen took over. Two new dwellings and other necessary farm buildings, water-supply, and subdivisional fencing were completed. KatiJcati (Locality : Tauranga).—Area, 473 acres. Possession date, 25th October, 1946. Subdivision not finalized. There are approximately 70 acres of good grass,, and hay has been saved on this area. The working-up and grassing of the balance will be undertaken as soon as possible, and it is probable that three dairying sections will be obtained. An area of approximately 30 acres has been cultivated and sown in grass. Kiwitahi (Locality : Morrinsville). —Area, 223 acres. Possession date, 31st May,. 1946. Subdivision, two dairy-farms. After a short period on wages, an ex-serviceman took over one section on Ist September, 1946. The necessary improvements, including the erection of buildings, fences, and water-supply, are being undertaken on the remaining section, and it is expected that it will be balloted before the commencement of the 1947-48 season. Komakorau (Locality: Gordonton). —Area, 734 acres. Possession date, Ist February, 1945. Subdivision, six dairy-farms. In addition to cultivation work, watersupply, and fencing, new buildings were necessary on five sections. Three sections were settled on fixed charges on Ist September, 1946, and one was balloted on wages in November. The remaining two will be taken over by ex-servicemen for the 1947-48 season.

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