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Makirikiri (Locality : Turakina).—Area, 1,453 acres. Purchased in several pieces; initial purchase was made 28th November, 1946. Subdivisions, six fat-lamb units; and two areas of 74 acres and 50 acres approximately were allotted to adjoining exservicemen farmers with uneconomic areas. Two dwellings and implement-sheds have been erected, whilst the homestead is to be renovated and two more dwellings erected. It is aimed to fix charges in time for the 1949-50 season. Sections will be balloted as new houses become available. Manchester (Locality : Feilding). —Area, 152 acres. Purchased, 29th February, 1947. Subdivisions, two dairy units. Some difficulty experienced in letting the building contracts has caused delay in settlement. Settlement to be effected as soon as buildings are ready. Mount Steivart (Locality: Rongotea).—Area, 767 acres. Purchased, 28th May, 1947. Will be divided into three fat-lamb units and two dairy-farms. One cottage has been moved and is almost re-erected, two cow-sheds and two implement-sheds are under way, and the contract for the new dwellings has been let. Access tracks have been formed, fencing is being erected, and everything is in train for settlement for the 1949-50 season. Milson (Locality : Palmerston North). —Area, 347 acres. Purchased, Ist October, 1945. Subdivisions, five dairy-farms, and 58 acres to the Disabled Servicemen's Re-establishment League for farm-training purposes. Charges have been fixed and the five ballotees took over their sections during the season. Newton Lee (Locality : Wanganui).—Area, 3,143 acres. Acquired, 4th June, 1947. Some 1,200 acres of sand-drifts interspersed with lupins and marram grass with rough feed in between. Scheme of subdivision has been deferred in order that the various problems arising from consolidated sand country can be thoroughly investigated. The tentative scheme allows for the establishment of two fat-lamb units, two dairy units, one sheep unit, and a longer-range policy for the development of the sand country towards the coast. Some 3,000 ewes are carried. Fencing-wire is one of the needs to enable development work to proceed. Ngai (Locality : Makerua). —Area, 231 acres. Purchased, Ist July, 1947. Subdivision, three dairy units. The area was originally all swamp in flax, and when acquired was badly infested with tall fescue, and covered with cabbage-trees, stumps, and some blackberry. Some 85 acres has been stumped, ploughed, and cultivated, and is now ready for sowing in grass. A series of drains were put in with a Bay City scoop. Buildings will not be erected until more consolidation is effected. A further two years will elapse before this good land >s ready for settlement. Nireaha (Locality : Eketahuna). —Area, 197 acres. Purchased, 29th October, 1946. Subdivision, two dairy units. Development, which consisted of building one house and one cow-shed and some fencing, draining, and water reticulation, is complete. Both ballotees are on the property and charges will be fixed for 1948-49 season. Okapeci (Locality : Hihitahi). —Area, 3,198 acres. Purchased, 28th February, 1947. The scheme allows for six sheep units with a small additional area to be purchased. An ex-serviceman is manager with a right to an undefined section, and three exservicemen ballotees are also on the block. Considerable difficulty is being encountered in letting the building contracts owing to access. Some 60 chains of new roading is in process of formation. Fencing-timber has been split in readiness for fencing-wire when it becomes available. Seven earth dams were constructed and some 27 acres stumping was carried out by bulldozer contract, and one bridge was built. Should be settled 1949-50. Opiki (Location: Opiki).—Area, 81 acres. Purchased, 15th May, 1946. Singleunit dairy-farm. The development programme was completed last June, and the area was handed over to the ex-serviceman ballotee on the Ist July, 1947.

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