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A commencement was made with the scheme for water reticulation for the area west of the Tarawera, and this will provide ample good water in each subdivision, a ram being installed to lift the water from a spring on the adjoining property. The areas sown in lucerne last year continued to make good growth, and several new stands are being established. Plantations of pine-trees were located to give shelter where required, and these are establishing well. The following summary gives the work carried out during the year and to date : — Year. To Date. Acres. Acres. Area cleared and stumped .. .. 120 670 Area pasture ex Onepu .. .. .. .. .. 184 Area harrowed and grassed . . .. .. 268 502 Area ploughed and grassed .. .. . . 46 124 Area swamp surface sown . . . . 36 36 Area in lucerne .. . . • • 22 28 Chains. Chains. Drains excavated . . . . . . ■ • • • 147 Roads formed .. .. . . . . ■ • 11 71 Fencing, permanent .. .. .. .. 1,016 1,302 Fencing, temporary .. .. .. .. 55 101 Number. Number. Cottages erected . . .. . . . . 7 8 Cow-sheds erected . . .. . . . . 6 6 Huts erected .. .. . . . • • • • • 6 Cookhouse and storeshed Huts reconditioned . . .. .. . • ■ ■ 1 Farms equipped .. .. .. .. 6 6 Murupara Small-farm Settlement (1,470 acres). —Good progress was made with the development of this area, and the pastures sown in previous years have made good establishment under favourable weather conditions and stockings. The stock on the area comprises 411 cows and heifers, 35 calves, 20 bulls, 11 horses, and 65 pigs. Dairying was carried out on eight sections, and the returns obtained from these indicate that this area is well suited to dairying. The returns of butterfat for the season to date amount to 26,528 lb. from 179 first-calvers. Some of the returns were excellent, but in a few cases the occupiers were not too successful owing to lack of experience. Only moderate success was obtained from the growing of swedes with the first ploughing from the rough, and experiments indicate that this crop does much better where the land has been in pasture for a period. Hay and ensilage were saved for the dairy stock for use in the winter and early spring. All pastures were top-dressed in the spring and autumn ; the gravity water-supply was maintained in good order and gave an ample supply of good water. In addition, some two hundred bullocks were grazed for about four months during the summer months. On this as well as some other blocks there has been a shortage of labour, and, in addition, it has been found impossible to obtain suitable occupiers for the completed farms. The following summary gives the main works completed during the year and to date :— Year. Total. Acres. Acres. Clearing .. .. .. .. 66 1,306 Ploughing and cultivation.. .. .. ..120 1,264 Grassing and crops .. .. .. ..120 1,264 Chains. Chains. Fencing .. •• •• •• •• 937 2,302 Road-formation . . . . . . . . .... 80 Number. Number. Cottages .. . . . • • • 4 12 Stores and sheds . . . . .. 8 10 Huts . . • • • • • • .... 1 Cow-sheds .. .. • • • ■ .. 6 8 Farms equipped . . . . .. .. 8 8 Broadlands Small-farm Settlement (1,000 acres). —Development-work and farming were proceeded with on this area during the year. Six fully equipped farms were used for dairying, the returns to date being 19.330 lb. from 124 first-calvers. A comprehensive water-supply scheme was installed, the motive power being two water-wheels, and these supply excellent water to each subdivision. The preparation of additional areas for dairying is in hand, and it is anticipated that dairying will be carried out on nine sections in the coming season. The formation of the access road was completed, and this is in excellent order. Plantations laid out in the previous year were extended and blanked, but tree-establishment in the area is slow.

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