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Kaipara Barbour Mangrove Reclamation. —The whole of this block, embracing 730 acres, was dewatered in October last, all boundary and lateral drains have been constructed, and the area is drying out well; considerable planting of buffalo-grass on stop-banks has been carried out, and during the coming spring it is intended to proceed with the clearing of mangroves, the construction of spider drains, and metalling of access road. During the period 27 ch. of stop-bank and drain of equal length were constructed, making the total length completed to date 4m. 36 ch. The stop-bank has been strengthened and stone-faced over that portion which is subject to sea wash. A total of 24,917 cubic yards were excavated during the period, covering a length of 9 m. 48 ch. of drains of various dimensions. Blocks V, VI, X, and IX, Maungatautari Survey District (Ellicott's Block). —The development of this block of 2,900 acres was continued during the year, and good progress was made. In addition to maintaining the farming operations of the area previously developed and stocked, a further 485 acres were ploughed and 257 acres reploughed, 305 acres were permanently grassed, 600 acres harrowed and top-dressed, 606 acres cleared of scrub and fern ; 12 m. 78 ch. of new fences erected ; 176 acres cultivated in turnips and swedes, and 225 tons of hay cut and harvested ; 1,000 pine-trees planted. Fencingmaterials were cut and split as under : Battens, 51,200 ; posts, 9,690 ; strainers, 235 ; stockyard rails, 350 ; stays, 230. In addition to the above, the following buildings were erected during the year : Three permanent milking-sheds, six store-sheds, and two sheep-yards. Section 255, Blocks XI and XV, Maungatautari Survey District (late Property of W. L. Foss). — Good progress has been made with the further development of this property of 438 acres, and during the year 113 acres were cleared of scrub, 37 acres stumped and cleared, 73 acres ploughed and 101 acres reploughed, 216 acres cultivated, 36 acres sown in turnips, and 60 acres in permanent grass, 2 m. 64 ch. of permanent fences erected, 35 acres of pastures harrowed and top-dressed, and boring for water-supply to a depth of 240 ft. was carried out. Lot 2 of Section 1, Block XV, Maungatautari Survey District (late L. S. Langdon's Property). — The work of developing this block of 456 acres was continued during the period, and a successful programme has been carried out. Bagwort was treated over an area of 89 acres, 116 acres of heavy and light scrub stumped and cleared, 38 acres ploughed and 115 acres were reploughed, 25 acres cultivated, 40 acres sown in turnips and temporary grass, 65 acres permanently grassed, and 20 acres of pastures harrowed and top-dressed. In addition, 10 ch. of rabbit-proof fences and 198 ch. of standard seven-wire fences were erected. Section 8, Block VII, Wharepapa Survey District (late P. Anderson's Property). —In addition to the work previously undertaken, considerable work of a developmental nature has been carried out on this block of 383 acres. During the year 86 acres of scrub and light bush have been stumped and cleared, 51 acres of heavy stumping and clearing, 67 acres ploughed and 76 acres cultivated, 10 acres sown in turnips, 14 acres permanently grassed and 14 acres of pastures harrowed and top-dressed, 10 chains of standard seven-wire fences erected, and two farm bridges were constructed. 430 fencingposts, 28 strainers, and 500 battens were cut and split on the property. Taumabunui District. O'Keefe's Block. —The development of this block has been in progress for eighteen months, and the following work has been done : 325 ch. new fences erected, 49 ch. old fences repaired, 7,000 battens were split and used in fencing; 76 acres land cleared, 60 acres ploughed, 76 acres cleared of ragwort, 75 acres has been sown in permanent pasture and 30 acres cropped, 180 acres have been top-dressed. 32 ch. of new drains dug and 50 ch. of old drains repaired. Larsen's Block. —Good progress has been made on the development of this block. 416 ch. of fencing has been erected, 91 ch. of shelter-belts have been planted, 103 acres have been stumped, 132 acres ploughed, 25 acres sown in permanent pasture, 55 acres cropped, and 240 acres have been top-dressed. Cruickshank's Block. —The following work has been completed on this block : 412 ch. fencing erected, 170 ch. shelter-belts have been planted, 110 acres cleared, 80 acres have been ploughed, 87 acres have been sown in permanent pastures, 33 acres have been cropped, and 120 acres have been top-dressed. Metcalfe's Estate. —This scheme will shortly be completed as far as the development-work is concerned. The operations to date comprise 162 ch. of new fencing, 12 ch. of shelter-belts planted, 53 acres of swamp land have been cleared, 95 acres of land has been ploughed, 61 acres sown in permanent pasture, and 22 acres cropped. A water-supply has been laid for 374 yd. 320 acres of pasture was top-dressed, 25 ch. new drains completed, and 413 ch. of old drains were repaired. Lee's Property. —The development of this block is nearing completion. The following work has been carried out: 851 ch. of fencing has been erected, 38 ch. of shelter-belts have been planted, 600 posts and 5,000 battens were split for the erection of fences on this block. Roadconstruction was continued for a further 100 ch. 64 acres of bush has been felled, 177 acres stumped, 176 ploughed, 200 acres grassed, and 75 acres cropped. 1,848 yd. of water-supply have been laid. 600 acres have been top-dressed, 294 ch. of new drains dug, and 192 ch. of old drains repaired. Hill's Block. —Work on this block has been satisfactorily carried out during the past year. 204 ch. new fencing has been erected, 185 ch. fences repaired, 106 acres of fern and gorse has been cleared, 146 acres have been ploughed, of which 61 acres were sown in permanent pasture and 66 acres cropped. 350 acres pasture was top-dressed. 1,386 yd. of water-supply has been installed. 20 ch. of drains have been cleared. Formation of an access road of 37 ch. has been completed.

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