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Elms Farm Settlement (Locality : Kaikoura). —Area 2,020 acres. Acquired, August, 1945. Subdivision, two dairy units and one sheep unit. Development work has been completed with the exception of minor work to water-supplies, fencing, and the conversion of an existing building to a wool-shed.. Renovations to two houses were carried out and also the erection of a third house. All three sections for allotment on fixed charges for 1948-49 season to ex-servicemen working on wages with promise of allotments. Old homestead area to be disposed of separately. Estate G. M. Harris' Block (Locality: Kenepuru Sound). —Area, 1,384 acres. Acquired and disposed of, December, 1947. Single sheep unit. No development. Greenhills Farm Settlement (Locality : Kaikoura). —Area, 4,909 acres. Acquired, March, 1944. Subdivision, two sheep-farms. Substantial progress has been made on regrassing, renewal of fencing, erection of new buildings, and stock-yards. For allotment on fixed charges in March, 1949. One ex-serviceman on wages with promise of allotment. Molesworth.—Area, 239,600 acres. Mild weather conditions were experienced during the winter months, but heavy snow in late September followed by considerable rain and flooding continued until the end of November. Since then drought conditions have been experienced. No major development works have been undertaken during the year, the employees being engaged chiefly in the care of stock and in rabbiting. Good results have been obtained, although the rabbit pest continues to persist in some localities. The position, on the whole, is good. Pastures continued to show improvement on the hill country, more especially on those areas where considerable reduction has been made in the rabbit population during the last few years.. Stock came through the winter well and the only set-back has been a considerable loss of young calves which occurred during the September snow. The yearlings weaned and branded in September have come ahead through the summer months and go into another winter in good condition. There are some aged cows which are low in condition, but the balance of the cows and heifers are in good condition to face the coming winter. During the year visits were paid to the station and inspection made by the Awatere County Council in connection with access, by the Marlborough County Council, and the Sheep-farming Industry Commission. Visits were also paid by Dr. Allen and his assistants of the Scientific and Industrial Research Department, who carried out further sowings on the experimental area and saved seeds from established grasses for the sowing next spring of a further experimental plot. At the end of the year the cattle on the station consisted of 67 bulls, 1,771 breedingcows and heifers, 785 bullocks, and 624 calves, a total of 3,247 head. A. McDonald's Block (Locality Kaikoura). —Area, 126 acres. Acquired, 29th October, 1947. To be eventually amalgamated with other adjacent areas being acquired for development. Speeds Farm Settlement (Locality : Koromiko). —Area, 797 acres. Acquired, March, 1945. Subdivision, one mixed and. two dairy units. Development comprising stumping, draining, fencing, water-supplies, and new pastures is now nearing completion, but buildings are required on mixed unit before allotment. Two ex-servicemen on wages with promises of allotments. Upton Farm Settlement (Locality: Seddon). —Area, 1,628 acres. Acquired, November, 1947. Subdivision one sheep unit and two mixed sheep and cropping units. Development involves erection of farm buildings, renewal of practically all fences, and pasture. An ex-serviceman manager has been appointed with right to an undefined section.

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