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Greenhills, at Lynton Downs, 4,912 acres. Acquired: March, 1944. Objective: Two sheep units. Development Programme : 20 acres mole draining, 403 acres new grassing, 880 chains reerection fencing, 1,405 chains fencing repairs, one new dwelling, one combined implement-shed and granary, one new hay-shed, new stock-yards, water-supply, 40 chains shelter-belts, new sheep-yards, four stock crossings. Progress : Development completed ; two units allotted on fixed charges March, 1950. Hilles, at Blenheim, 1,083 acres. Acquired : July, 1948. Objective : Uneconomic, and to be amalgamated with neighbouring properties under negotiation. Development Programme: Nil. Progress : Seasonal work only. Kenepuru, at Kenepuru Sound, 1,384 acres. Acquired: December, 1947. Objective: Single -sheep unit of 797 acres, balance unsuitable for development. Development Programme : Nil. Progress : Seasonal work only—allotted on fixed charges March, 1950. Lakes, at Kaikoura, 564 acres. Acquired : 362 acres January, 1949, and 202 acres January, 1950. Objective : Three dairy units for allotment August, 1950. Development Programme ; 100 acres new grassing, 50 chains new fencing, 100 chains fencing repairs, two new dwellings, three new cow-sheds, • one implement-shed, three piggeries, three water-supplies, 50 chains farm tracks, one hut. Progress: 79 acres new grassing, 40 chains new fencing, 25. chains fencing repaired, three cow-sheds completed, one implement-shed, one hut, and two water-supplies. Ex-serviceman manager with promise of a ■ section. Ludstone, at Kaikoura, 907 acres. Acquired : March, 1949. Objective : Two fat-lamb units and three dairy units. Development Programme: 50 chains new drains, 170 chains drain widening, 20 acres clearing, 180 acres new grassing, 150 chains new fencing,, repair 550 chains fencing, three new dwellings, three new cow-sheds, three new implement-sheds, three new piggeries, three water-supplies, two culverts and 20 chains farm tracks, one set temporary quarters. Progress : 74 chains drains widened, 117 acres grassed, 49 chains new fence erected, 328 chains fence repaired, one cow-shed, one implement-shed, one water-supply and one culvert completed, 1 set temporary quarters. Two sheep units allotted on fixed charges Ist May, 1950. Remaining three dairy units require further • development and allotment of two units anticipated July, 1951, remaining unit July, 1952. Molesworth, 458,596 acres. The weather conditions have been favourable during the past twelve months, the winter being mild and no flooding of the rivers was experienced. Concerted efforts have been made on the rabbit pest both on the ground and from the air. Approximately 56,000 were killed by the rabbiters, while large numbers were accounted for by aerial poisoning. Unfortunately the mild winter has assisted the breeding of rabbits. During the year renovations were made to the homestead . and a start was made on the new access road from Langridge Gate. This road when completed should greatly assist in the working of the station, besides reducing running-time and heavy maintenance on vehicles. As a result of negotiations, an area of 218,972 acres was added to Molesworth during the year by the acquisition of St. Helens Station. A large building programme was undertaken on the new property involving extensive repairs to the Clarence Accommodation-house, new hay-shed, new six-horse stable and store-room, while rabbiters' huts were renovated and repaired. Fencing was repaired to assist in the control of cattle, internal tracks were repaired, new tracks were made, and the road to Hanmer was reconstructed. The stock wintered well and 726 cattle were sold at excellent prices. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has continued work on experimental plots in the homestead area and have carried out an investigation of the tussock grasslands. Motulcawa, at Rapaura, 304 acres. Acquired : April, 1949. Objective : Fourteen orchard units. Development Programme : 27 acres clearing, 304 acres to be cultivated twice, 14 chains new fencing, repair 120 chains fencing, dismantle 200 chains fencing, fourteen new dwellings, fourteen new implementsheds, one packing-shed, fourteen water-supplies, one cattle-stop, plant 140 acres apple-trees and 70 acres peach-trees, 240 chains plantations, and 84 chains internal roads. Progress : 200 acres cultivated, 200 chains fencing dismantled, 14 chains new fence erected, 2 implement-sheds and two tank-stands erected, two wells sunk, 200 acres have been sown in clover and a cover-crop of lupins. 240 chains plantations. Casual labour only employed. Speed, at Koromiko, 797 acres. Acquired : April, 1945. Objective : Two dairy and one mixed unit, totalling 755 acres, balance reserve unsuitable for development. Development Programme : 500 chains drains, 150 acres stumping and clearing, 200 acres regrassing, 650 chains new fencing, three new dwellings, three new implement-sheds, three new cow-sheds, one piggery, two water-supplies, four bridges, 8 culverts. Progress: Completed. Two dairy units allotted August, 1948. Mixed unit allotted August, 1949. Upton, at Awatere Valley, 1,628 acres. Acquired : November, 1947. Objective : One sheep unit and two sheep and cropping units. Development Programme : Clearing 20 acres, 420 acres new grassing, 240 chains new fencing, 520 chains fencing to be repaired, two new dwellings, two new implement-sheds and granaries, one cottage, three water-supplies, one set cattle-yards, two sets sheepyards, 21 chains farm tracks, and five dams. Progress : 212 acres grassed, 89 chains new fencing erected and 423 chains repaired, cottage completed, one water-supply and four dams completed. 21 chains farm tracks constructed. Drought conditions have delayed regrassing programme. Exserviceman manager with right of a section. To be farmed by Department until major scheme of 'development of Awatere Valley determined.

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