C.—l

Generally, the pastures have established well, and the returns received from the dairy stock to date give every indication that this class of farming will lie successful. The health of both grown and young stock on the area is good. The stock at present on the area comprises 229 cows and heifers, 34 calves, 11 bulls, 6 horses, and 38 pigs. The following is a summary of the work completed during the year and to date : — Year. Total. Acres. Acres. Clearing and stumping .. .. . • 65 786 Ploughing and cultivation .. .. .. 44 765 Grassing .. . ■ • • • • .. 40 632 Swedes . . .. .. • • .. 40 40 Lucerne .. .. .. • • .. 4 9 Chains. Chains. Fencing .. .. •• 678 1,323 Plantations .. .. .. • • • • • • 312 Road-formation .. .. .. • ■ .. 10 130 Number. Number. Cottages .. .. . • ■ • 2 9 Cow-sheds .. .. • • ■ • .. 6 6 Storesheds .. .. •• ■ ■ .... 2 Galatea Estate. —The following is a summary of operations carried out on this estate : — Clearing : Areas totalling 2,343 acres of scrub were cleared in preparation for ploughing and cultivation for swedes and grass, and along the Whirinaki Stream to permit of the better control of ragwort. Fencing : This work included the fencing of section boundaries to permit of the better control of pastures by station stock, and the completion of subdivisional fences on the share farms. Buildings : In addition to the ordinary repairs and maintenance of plant and buildings, six new huts and one large implement-shed were constructed during the year. One shepherd's hut was moved and reconstructed. Water-supply : Extensions to the water-supply reticulation were carried out as required to supply the new grass areas. A wooden by-pass to carry shingle over the dam during floods and two 2,000 gallon concrete reservoir tanks were constructed at the headworks. This supply was maintained in good order and gave very satisfactory service during the year. Ploughing and Cultivation : The ploughing and cultivation carried out during the year was for station oats, station and share farm swedes, and for new grass pastures. A total of 2,133 acres was ploughed, and of this, 980 acres was sown in grass, 943J acres in swedes, and 60 acres in oats. The sowing of grass was still proceeding and will be completed early in April. Hay, Oats, &c. : An area of 60 acres of oats was harvested for use of station and development horses, and 4,007 bales of hay were saved for station stock. Plantations : A new plantation of pines was planted on the south side of the Whirinaki Road, and all plantations were blanked where this was necessary. Top-dressing and Liming : The programme of top-dressing was proceeded with, a total of 3,976 acres being top-dressed with super and 1,997 acres with lime. Grass-harrowing : Areas totalling 2,179 acres of station grazed pasture were harrowed and 100 acres of lucerne was harrowed twice. Smithy and Workshop : A blacksmith and mechanic were employed throughout the period to carry out the necessary repair and overhaul of cultivation and general plant, shoeing of horses, &c. General: General work carried out during the year included the maintenance of roads, bridges, fences, and drains, &c. The following is a schedule of work carried out during the year : — Clearing . • ■ • ■ • • • • • 2,343 acres. Ploughing .. .. •• 2,133 acres. Cultivation .. .. •• •• 1,919 acres. Grass harrow .. .. .. ■■ 2,179 acres. Top-dressing .. .. •• •• ..3,976 acres. Liming . . • • • • ■ • 1,997 acres. Fencing . . .. • ■ ■ ■ • ■ 752 chains standard ; 437 chains 4 wire; 202 chains dismantled and re-erected. Topping lucerne .. .. .. • • • • 100 acres. Harrowing lucerne . . • ■ • ■ • • 200 acres. Drain-cleaning .. .. •• ■■ 1,651 chains. Grassing .. .. ■ • • • • • 980 acres. Oats .. ■ • ■ ■ ■ ■ • • 60 acres. Swedes and crops .. .. • ■ • • acres. Buildings . . .. • • • • • • 6 huts, 1 implement-shed. Water-supply additions and extensions — Plantations .. .. • • • ■ • • 120 chains. Harvesting .. . - • • • • • • 4,007 bales hay, 60 acres oats.

27