C.—l.

APPENDIX V.—SMALL-FARMS SCHEME, HAWKE'S BAY. AHURIRI LAGOON DEVELOPMENT. (F. R. Burnley, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) On the southern portion of the lagoon the sowing of permanent and temporary pastures was completed in April, 1937. A good strike was obtained, and at the present time the permanent areas show every indication of being first-class pastures. Owing to the rise of salt over the dry period, some of the temporary areas have thinned out to salt patches. The surface sowing with clovers over 400 acres of rough area gave fair results, and at present is giving good " off grazing." A further 120 acres was sown in temporary mixture during early spring. Twenty-four acres of barley and oats were fed off during winter, then 12 acres of oats were ploughed in and lucerne sown in spring. Twelve acres of barley were harvested for seed. An area of 60 acres was sown in various crops for experimental purposes. A series of fertilizer top-dressing trials was carried out, giving marked results ; and seasonal top-dressing over the permanent and temporary grass areas is being done. Experimental work is being done on portion of the recently dewatered bare areas. This year a further 150 acres of land has been sown in barley for winter feed, and this, with a further 50 acres now being ploughed, will be sown in temporary pasture in the spring. A further 12 acres of lucerne has been sown. In the spring, maize, barley, oats, and white-clover areas will be sown for seed these giving the best results from last season's experimental cropping trials. Further desalting drains have been dug on the southern area, and rapid progress is being made with the drainage system on the northern portions of the lagoon. Subdivisional fencing is completed for the time being on the southern end, and a start made on the northern end, while the ring-fencing of the whole area is almost completed. New roads have been constructed, with cattle-stops at the main entrances ; and an implementshed and sheep yards and dip, cattle-yards, wool-shed, overseer's cottage, and shepherd's cottage have been constructed. The stock came through the winter and summer in good condition. A lambing of approximately 90 per cent., and a wool-clip of lb. per sheep, was obtained. At the 31st March, 1938, the following stock was depastured on the lagoon : — Breeding ewes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,972 Wethers .. . . . . .. .. .. . . .. 1,818 Lambs .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . . 649 Rams .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 74 Cattle .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 200 Horses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2

34