G.—lo.

The following work has been carried out on the scheme during the year: Ploughing and sowing into pasture, 250 acres ; ploughing and sowing into crops, 120 acres ; scrub-cutting and clearing 450 acres ; ploughing, 300 acres ; fencing, 200 chains ; drain-cleaning, 180 chains ; tree-planting, 4,000 trees. In addition to the above development work, general farm work has been carried out on all unit properties. The general health of Maoris in this district has been very good and there has been no outbreak of disease. It is pleasing to observe the steady progress that is now being made on this scheme. Whakatohea. This scheme, which derives its name from the local tribe, comprises a total area of 2,446 acres, of which it is proposed to develop an area of 2,000 acres. There are now forty settlers within the scheme. Of this number, thirty-four are milking and supplying the dairy factory, one will commence milking next season, and the remainder will be in a position to commence dairying the following year. The total number of persons dependent upon the settlers is fifty-two adults and forty-eight minors. The area in pasture is 1,442 acres, in rough feed 100 acres, and the area sown down during the month of March was 234 acres. Pasture lands on this scheme comprise good river-flats, marine flats of fair quality, and terrace lands mostly of good quality. The balance of the area extends back to fairly steep country of poor quality. The following is the position of the live-stock on the scheme as at the 31st March, 1937 : Bulls, 45 ; cows, 730 ; heifers, (two to three year), 160 ; weaner heifers, 131 ; working-horses, 48. The following are details of the butterfat supplied for the year ending the 31st March, 1937, together with a comparative table for the preceding four years : —

The housing on this scheme remains, in some cases, only fair. During the year ten cottages and nine cow-sheds were erected, and with the completion of the recently approved building programme the majority of the settlers will have comfortable living quarters and adequate milking facilities. The work carried out during the past year is as follows : Fencing, 925 chains of new fencing and heavy repair work was completed ; 4,930 posts and 12,450 battens were split and packed out; 150 chains of new drains were opened and 143 chains cleaned and deepened ; 354 acres of scrub and light bush were cut and 27 acres of stumping done (of this area, 61 acres were sown in temporary pasture and the balance sown in permanent grasses) ; 179 acres were ploughed, of which small areas were cropped. Of the balance, 130 acres were sown in permanent pasture and the cropped areas will be similarly treated this autumn. The general standard of energy displayed by the settlers is improving, although increased effort is necessary and a number still require strict supervision and instruction. A few of the settlers are becoming efficient farmers. Whakatohea- Wainui. This scheme, comprising Section 313, Parish of Waimana, situated near Opotiki, contains 600 acres, and was gazetted in January, 1931. The land is vested in trustees for the Ringatu Church, and prior to 1931, after setting aside 8| acres for church reserves, the trustees subdivided the balance into five sections and allotted them to five Maori farmers. Three of these Maoris are now units in the scheme, farming an area of 307 acres and milking 95 cows. Two are progressing satisfactorily, but the other, mainly through the smallness of his holding (32 acres) and the effects of a motor-car accident, is indifferent and only sufficient expenditure is being authorized to maintain the Department's security. The number dependent on these three farms comprises seven adults and fifteen children. Arrangements are in hand whereby the units will be given a form of lease.

7—G. 10.

49

v Butterfat i V t i ' Number of Average Yield Average Value supplied. a a u Cows milked. per Cow. per Cow. lbT £ lb. £ 1936-37 .. .. .. 105,547 5,163 571 185 9-0 1935-36 .. .. .. 80,079 3,131 487 165 6-4 1934-35* .. .. .. 61,060 2,481 341 176 7-2 1933-34 .. .. .. 77,717 2,880 419 185 6-8 1932-33 .. .. .. 61,869 2,658 330 181-4 8-0 * For a period of ten months only.