G.—lo.

Waipipi. Known locally as " Hakona," the scheme is on the slopes above the Waiuku River, about six miles by road from Waiuku. It comprises an area of 280 acres of almost fully developed land divided into five farms, irrespective of the title position, and, as in the case of Kaihau, the occupiers are on wages based on one-third of their cream cheques, while they also retain all the proceeds from the pigs. The tenure for these people is under consideration in conjunction with the Kaihau scheme, and it is hoped to reach finality on this point before very long. The establishment of the occupiers as units with some definite form of tenure would undoubtedly put the people on a sound basis and give them a greater sense of responsibility. The persons dependent on the scheme number twenty-three. It is hoped to eflect repairs and improvements to the sheds during the coming year, and this should tend to improve the quality of the cream supplied. The following butterfat production table is supplied :—

Grading—Superfine, 2,8021b. ; first, 24,4891b. ; second, 1841b. : total, 27,4751b. Waitomo. The four development settlers in this scheme gazetted in September and October, 1936, and comprising an area of 501 acres, are occupying various isolated areas within the Waitomo County. All four farmers, being former Waikato-Maniapoto District Maori Land Board mortgagors, were taken over under Native land development operations during the year. Three of the Natives have only small sections of approximately 66 acres each, but the area embraces good heavy country in a central position. The fourth unit has a farm of 301 acres of easy, light ploughable country which in the past had been allowed to revert to fern and ragwort. The present Native on this property is a first-class worker, and it is confidently considered that he will eventually be one of the most successful men in the district. During the season the settlers milked 60 cows, while in addition the properties at 31st March, 1937, were carrying 15 other dairy stock, 40 run cattle, 206 sheep, and a number of pigs. The total butterfat production for the full year is not available. The scheme has dependent upon it thirty-one individuals, and five men were assisted from the Employment Promotion Fund to complete the following work : 14 acres of clearing, 15 chains of new draining, 12 acres of grassing, 35 acres of top-dressing, 42 acres of ploughing, and the erection of 1 cottage.

23

Farm No. Area. Cows. Butterfat. Value. Average | Carryingper Cow. ; capacity. Acres. Lb. £ Lb. Cows. 1 .. .. .. 71 29 5,422 288 188 35 2.. .. .. 60 22 5,302 284 241 25 3.. .. .. 56 31 5,894 323 190 30 4.. .. .. 46 18 4,646 258 258 25 5.. .. .. 47 29 6,211 343 214 30 Totals .. 280 129 27,475 1,496 213 145