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The current development programme is well in hand, although the shortage of fencing and building materials has delayed the offering of sections, but a further fourteen will be balloted shortly. Fifteen ex-servicemen who were successful in ballots held last year are at present in occupation of their sections on a wages basis. Twelve of these men will be established on permanent tenure at an early date. Also, six small-farm civilians settlers will take over their farms in July next. Arrangements have been made for an extension of the area controlled from Te Kuiti to take in the balance of the Raglan County and parts of the Waikato, Piako, and Matamata Counties. Arohena Block (4,130 acres), thirty miles east of Te Awamutu. Considerable improvement has been effected to the pastures during the past year, and with increasing supplies of manures the improvement will be maintained. Approximately 800 chains of fencing have been renewed, 280 acres sown in grass, and 140 acres in crops. The breeding-flock has been increased by 700 ewes. One small-farm settler is to be established on part of the block in July. Atua Block (balance, 207 acres), adjacent to the Arapuni Power-station. Subdivided into six dairy units, and houses, cow-sheds, and other farm buildings erected. A ballot was held in July, 1946, four sections being offered on fixed charges and on two the ex-servicemen to be employed on wages pending completion of the development of their sections. The community water-supply, a high pressure plant, has been extended, pastures were reconditioned, and subdivisional fencing completed. The ex-servicemen on wages (with bonus on dairy production) will receive permanent leases in July, thus completing the settlement of the block. Burns' Block (139 acres), in the Te Rau-a-moa district. Dairying operations were continued until the end of the 1945-46 season, when a small-farm settler was granted a lease of the block. Ellicott's Block (balance, 1,034 acres), ten miles east of Te Awamutu. General development of the remaining three sections has been continued during the year. Internal roading and fences have been extended, 100 acres sown in pasture, and 50 acres in crops. Ragwort is diminishing and the new pastures have improved considerably. One section is expected to be offered for selection in 1948. Foss' Block (438) acres), twenty miles east of Te Awamutu. Results are improving, but owing to the lack of manures pastures are slow in responding. Development is proceeding, and settlement is proposed in 1948 or 1949. Henderson's Block (balance, 575 acres), six miles east of Otorohanga. Work on the two dairy units was completed, houses were renovated, cow-sheds and other farm buildings erected, and a high-pressure water-supply serving both sections was installed. Two discharged servicemen selected by ballot were settled on fixed charges in July, 1946. Work on the balance of the block is continuing, the subdivision scheme providing three mixed farms. Kaeaea Block (1,639 acres) in the Aria district, twenty-six miles south of Te Kuiti. Owing to its swampy nature, this block came through the drought fairly well, although stock was required to be transferred from the block temporarily. Small areas were cropped and grassed during the year. Development of this block involves a long-term programme and settlement will not be possible for some time. Kairangi Block (balance, 354 acres) in the Maungatautari district, ten miles south of Cambridge. This block was originally part of the Waikato Land Settlement Society's scheme, and up to the beginning of the year sixteen civilian settlers had been established. During the year a ballot was held to select two ex-servicemen settlers to be settled on fixed charges and one to be employed on wages. A valuation will shortly be made for the purpose of fixing the charges of the wages man, and this will complete settlement of the block. One community water-supply was extended to serve the last section and a gravity supply installed to serve the two new settlers and one civilian settler.

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