H—2o

With the large numbers of stock carried, our cropping activities are considerable and important. With a favourable season for haymaking, a total of 600 tons of hay and over 200 tons of ensilage was harvested. This, together with 120 acres of swedes and 56 acres of chou moellier, will supply ample feed to carry the stock over the winter. In addition, 14 acres of potatoes and 10 acres of chaff oats were sown. The labour employed in a harvesting and cropping programme such as this is considerable, and as some of the area under plough was new or maiden ground no pains were spared to have it in good heart before the crops were sown. A new departure also was the closing-up of 30 acres of red clover for seed which on harvesting resulted in a crop of approximately 6,000 lb. of clover seed and several hundred pounds of rye. The orchard and the apiary continue to bring in good revenue, although in both cases crops were below that anticipated, due to unfavourable weather conditions. Garden activities continued on a scale sufficient for local needs and sales. Supplies were also sent to Auckland Prison to meet their needs when local supplies were insufficient. Vegetable crops generally were good, but late frosts necessitated several replantings of tomatoes, and it is not anticipated that the crop will be up to. the standard of previous years. A good crop of tobacco, in excess of 4,000 lb., is expected. New building and maintenance work has been retarded somewhat by the supply position and the lack of tradesman officers. Essential work has, however, been carried out, and with recent staff additions it is hoped that greater progress will be made next year. One of the major items of administration in an institution of this nature is that of staff. The introduction of the forty-hour week caused some confusion at first, but this has now mostly disappeared, and the system introduced is working satisfactorily. Overtime as such has been almost entirely eliminated. The further staff asked for will alleviate the position considerably, and it is hoped then to allocate duties in such a way that the forty-hour week will be wholly operative. It is fitting that my appreciation of the assistance and loyalty of the staff should be recorded. Success in any direction cannot be attained without the whole-hearted support and co-operation of each member of the staff. lam glad to be able to say that this support has been willingly given.

29