G—9

Wool 13. Wool from development schemes at 6,832 bales shows a slight decrease on last year, but this is explained by the fact that now that Board of Trade regulations permit of heavier standard weights in bales, heavier packing is practised. The net poundage would no doubt show an increase. The season 1949-50 was marked by a phenomenal level of prices, and although there were the usual fluctuations, values for cross-bred wools were the highest ever recorded. 14. Wool from properties administered by the Maori Trustee totalled 1,485 bales and stations under the control of Maori Land Boards produced 1,007 bales. 15. The effort to improve " get-up " of departmental clips continues, and it is pleasing to record favourable comments on departmental clips by buying sections of the .trade. .Horticulture 16. An increased interest has been shown by the Maori people in the utilization of areas suitable for small cropping and considerable quantities of kumaras are grown, the value of this crop alone now reaching nearly £50,000 annually. In addition, maize, water-melons, tree tomatoes, raspberries, asparagus, tomatoes, and many other vegetables and flowers are successfully produced. At Tauranga, poultry-farming has been introduced with success. 17. New districts are now accepting the idea of growing produce for the market, ..and useful and remunerative employment is thus found for many Maori men and women whose lands would, in many cases, otherwise he idle. 18. The four departmental horticulturists are fully employed in ' instructing prospective growers and in assisting in the marketing of the grown crops. In addition, their influence has been noticeable in the increased home growing of citrus and'other fruits, which, with a greater variety of vegetables, must tend towards a better diet and _a higher standard of living. 19. The nursery at Tauranga continues to grow and supply citrus and other fruit trees to Maori people desirous of establishing their own orchards for family needs. 20. At Rotorua over a million exotic and other trees are in stock, ranging from the iseedling to the planting-out stage. Nearly half a million trees are distributed annually for shelter and various other purposes on development lands and lands under the control .of other Departments throughout the North Island. _New Development 21. Recognizing the need for greater production from the land and the desirability - of establishing more Maoris as fully qualified settlers with satisfactory tenure, plans have been developed to bring in up to 20,000 acres of new land a year for the next ten years. It is estimated that there are 750,000 acres awaiting development. Experience has shown that much of the land which has previously been lying idle can be successfully farmed • once it has been broken in, sown with a mixture of good-quality permanent grass-seed, heavily manured in the first two years, and consolidated. 22. The development of Pouakani Block, near Mangakino, commenced in the spring ■ of 1948, has been pushed ahead and at date 5,300 acres have been grassed, while development continues on a further 3,764 acres of the property. Other work completed on this . scheme includes 936 acres sown in swedes, 730 chains of permanent fencing, 1,060 chains of roading, installation of water-supply, erection of 15 manure-sheds, and the planting of 17,500 shelter-trees. 23. This land, which is owned by Wairarapa Maoris (having been granted them in 1897 in lieu of certain reserves at Lake Wairarapa), is destined for closer settlement, and it is intended to commence dairy-farm training next year. The' block will be devoted -to dairying, with a few sheep for ragwort control.

5