C.—l

As stated in the introduction to this report, the milkers on the block are employed on wages, and it is intended to build up their herds for next year. Ordinary farm, operations were carried out by these men, and approximately 50 tons of ensilage and 80 tons of hay were saved. Owing to the very wet summer and the consequent excessive growth it was found necessary to top a large area of this block. During next season's operations it is hoped that it will be possible to carry some young steers on this area to cope with any flush of feed. Building operations were continued, five houses and four cow-sheds being erected, so that the number of fully equipped farms is now eleven. The following schedule shows the main works carried out during the year : — During Year 1936-37. Total to Date. Number. Number. Artesian bores sunk . . . . . . 12 27 Concrete troughs .. .. .. 16 23 Culverts and bridges erected . . .. 16 44 Houses erected .. .. .. .. 5 Cow-sheds erected .. .. .. .. 4 11 Chains. Chains. Fences erected . . . . .. . . 495 1,190 Drains constructed .. .. .. .. 463 1,375 (10,931 cubic yards) Drains cleared .. .. . ■ ■ • 900 1,200 Acres. Acres. Manuka, &c., cut .. .. .. . ■ 340 435 Area harrowed .. .. . • • ■ 174 194 Area sown .. .. ■ ■ ■. 230 490 Area harvested for hay and ensilage . . 56 Hoe-o-tainui (900 acres approximate). —Development on this block consisting of clay country was commenced in September, 1935. The cultivation operations have been continued with horse teams, and satisfactory progress has been made, although at the critical period of the year the ploughed land was too hard for satisfactory breaking down with the disks. Iu the autumn of 1936, 279 acres were sown down in grass, whilst at the end of March, 1937, an additional 357 acres had been ploughed in readiness for autumn sowing. In addition, 16 acres were sown down in swedes. The grass, particularly on the lower country, has done very well, and it is proposed to commence milking on some of the sections during the comingseason. The stock carried last winter was approximately 500 ewes, these being sold recently, together with 471 fat lambs. The stock at present carried comprises 17 horses, 6 cows, 67 heifers and bulls, 304 sheep, whilst 88 heifers and bulls for this block are at present grazed at Waitakaruru. The number of men employed has fluctuated between seventeen and eleven, ten of them being prospective settlers who are living on the block with their wives and families. Six of these families have been occupying houses built by the Department, and in February a further contract was let for six more houses. In November work was commenced on a high-pressure water-supply from the Maungatea Stream, some 126 chains of 3 in., 2|in., and 2 in. pipe being laid since that date. A considerable amount of fencing has been carried out, and general operations include planting shelter-trees, care of stock, and haymaking. The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year : — Ploughing and cultivation . . . . .. .. 375 acres. Fencing . . . . ■ ■ • • • ■ • • 733 chains. Buildings . . . • • • • • ■ • . . 6 cottages, 1 cow-shed. Water-mains laid . . . . . • • • ■ ■ 126 chains. Blackshaw's (250 acres). —The development of the peat area on this block was again delayed by the wet summer, as it was found impossible to burn the peat. Having experienced three wet summers in succession, proposals are being framed to fence the area and then graze stock in order to control and, if possible, eradicate the young blackberry and gorse. Men have been employed only intermittently on this area,- the work consisting of the grubbing of gorse and blackberry and the cleaning and deepening of drains. The work carried out is as follows : — Gorse and blackberry cut or grubbed . . . . 70 acres. Drains cleaned . . . • • • • • • • 120 chains Drains deepened . . . • • • . • 61 chains. Henderson's (700 acres).—ln April, 1936, men were employed principally on agricultural work, but in May the number was increased to twenty-five, so that the drainage and clearing of the swamp could be undertaken.

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