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The following comments are made on development and settlement by the officers in charge of these operations in each district Superintendent of Land Development, Auckland A more liberal supply of fertilizer has resulted in an improvement to the pastures •on blocks, but until adequate fencing, building, and water-supply materials become available, settlement cannot be expedited to the extent desired. The weather in the early part of the season was ideal for dairying, but a dry spell following Christmas had an adverse effect on the farm returns. However, production generally was maintained and the stock carried on the various blocks is in good condition. Araparera (Locality: Kaukapakapa).—Area, 389 acres. Possession date, 20th November, 1941. Subdivision, two dairy-farms. One ex-serviceman was allotted an .area of 180 acres on fixed charges from Ist July, 1947. The balance of 209 acres is totally undeveloped and a full-scale programme of development will be essential before •this area is capable of settlement. Aivaroa (Locality: Ruawai). —Area, 287 acres. Possession date, Ist February, 1945. Subdivision, three dairy-farms. A further area of 175 acres is being acquired, •and as all development work on the original area has been practically completed the three -ex-servicemen who have been working on wages will probably have their charges fixed .at the commencement of next dairy season. Bradley's (Locality: Te Kopuru). —Area, 1,249 acres. Possession date, 15th January, 1941. The grassing of the area has been practically completed and an extensive water-supply has been schemed. Provided fencing-materials and water-pipes ■can be obtained it is hoped that the area will be available for disposal in 1949 as dairy units. Brooklands (Locality : Papakura). —Area, 378 acres. Possession date, Ist February, 1945. Subdivision, tw r o dairy-farms and one mixed farm. One dairy-farm was allotted •on fixed charges in September, 1945, and the other in July, 1947. Further development work in an endeavour to improve the pastures on the mixed farm is necessary. Cropland (Locality : Helensville). —Area, 3,170 acres. Possession date, Ist April, 1947. Subdivision, five dairy and two sheep farms. Work has been confined to renovation of pastures and fencing. New buildings required on six subdivisions, and settlement is subject to the completion of these buildings and the installation of electric power. The block is being grazed with sufficient sheep to stock the proposed sheep-farms, and cattle with the object of improving the pastures on the dairy units. Edgecumbe (Locality : Edgecumbe). —Area, 7,308 acres. Possession date, Bth August, 1936. Subdivision not yet finalized. Work was practically confined to maintenance of existing improvements. Paspalum sown last year on a trial area has become •established, but it is still too soon to determine its ash-holding qualities. The lucerne area of 25 acres is well established. All live-stock have done well. Orini (Part Edgecumbe Block). —This area was used in conjunction with Edgecumbe for fattening bullocks and cull female stock. Fair view (Locality : Waimana). —Area, 1,978 acres. Possession date, 15th June, 1945. Subdivision, two dairy and three sheep farms. A long-range development project and crushing by live-stock has continued to bring good results. A new access track was completed, and this enabled a good supply of fertilizer to be spread on the back portion of the block. Galatea (Locality : Murupara). —Area, 24,993 acres. Possession date, 1931. Complete subdivision not finally planned. Seven sections were balloted during the year and charges were fixed on two of these sections, the balance being worked on a wages basis. Forty-one ex-servicemen have now been established during the past three years, and it is expected that a further twelve will be settled in 1949. Owing to material shortages,

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