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Commissioner op Crown Lands, Napier Ahuriri Lagoon (Locality: Napier).—Area, 7,755 acres. Development of this area was commenced in 1934. As in tlie past, all sheep came off tlie shears in excellent order and some very good sales of fat wethers were made in the early part of the season. The number of lambs fattened was a record in the history of the block. The supplementary crops of cattle, pumpkins, and mangels were again satisfactory, and these were fed out with the lucerne baled from the 60 acres on the property. A three-year development period has been formulated which aims to lay down in permanent pasture 500 acres each year and provides for at least three dairy units on the heavier country at the end of that period. A settlement comprising ten market-garden units ranging from 8 acres to 11 acres has been established on the northern end. These ex-servicemen settlers, who are at present on temporary tenancies, are making good progress considering their short period of occupancy. Bushy Range (Locality : Waipukurau).—Area, 2,511 acres. Acquired, 25th March, 1948. This property will provide three sheep-farms. Glenalvon (Locality: Tikokino). —Area, 1,242 acres. Acquired, 31st March, 1948. Will give four sheep sections. Gawrie (Locality: Waipukurau).—Area, 1,859 acres. Three hundred and eighty-one acres have been acquired and added to the original 1,479 acres. Development has been delayed by shortage of materials, particularly fencing-wire, and difficulty in letting building contracts. Grasmere (Locality : Havelock North). —Area, 81 acres. Acquired, June, 1947. Subdivided into six economic orchards. The sections were balloted and allotted immediately' the Crown took possession and the development programme is now practically complete, four houses and implement-sheds being under construction and an artesian water-supply for each section being provided. The settlers grade and pack in a community packing-shed, and the cultivation and spraying is run on the same basis. Hampden (Locality: Tikokino). —Area, 929 acres. Acquired, 4th February, 1947. The development programme, except for housing, is nearing completion. Fencing programme is completed and the water scheme is well under way. Will make two sheep units. Hakowhai (Locality: Puketapu).—Area, 1,637 acres. Acquired, 28th March* 1945. Subdivided into two sheep units. Development on this block is now completed and the sections will be balloted at an early date. Hendley (Locality: Patoka). —Area, 4,398 acres. This farm settlement was allotted to the five settlers on fixed charges during the year. Kaheka (Locality: Tutira).—Area, 10,505 acres. Development is steadily going ahead. A new wool-shed was completed and a new swim dip. Some 208 chains of new fencing were erected. Due to a heavy coverage of scrub over a large portion of the run, rabbit infestation remains serious, but this is gradually being brought under control. Future developmental work provides for a considerable distance of bulldozed tracks intended to open up the back country and so facilitate the distribution of supplies to scrub-cutting operations on the block. Kakariki (Locality : Kotemaori). —Area, 19,213 acres. Development comprises giant disking of second-growth country, using this and adjacent cleared country as a base for future development operations. The rabbit menace remains serious, but strenuous efforts are being made to control the pest. Kokomoko (Locality: Wallingford). —Area, 951 acres. Acquired, 28th February, 1947. Subdivided into two sheep units. Little development work remains to be done except for the erection of one dwelling, renovations to existing homestead, approximately 120 chains of fencing, and the installation of a small water-supply.

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