C.—l.

Some stocking with dry stock and careful attention to the newer pastures will be necessary for a year or two, but it is now certain that when these portions have been properly consolidated this area of once unpromising-looking country will have been converted to successful dairying-land. The stock carried includes 484 sheep, 579 head of dairy cattle, and 30 run cattle. Arohena Block (3,983 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land-development, Te Kuiti.) Anderson's .—Operation has been limited to the front portion (approximately 180 acres) and no bush has been felled. Most of the present area has been ploughed and cropped. The original experimental ewe flock has been carried and there are now no signs of sickness among the sheep. Ewes bred on the place are being taken into the flock. The grassing of the present area is practically complete. Arohena Central. —These sections were formerly badly ragwort infested, but the weed is now completely controlled by sheep. Approximately 80 acres have been stumped and ploughed. Swede crops have been grown to carry through the large number of sheep which have been necessary to control the ragwort. A new wool-shed, dip, and yards have been erected to serve the Arohena sections in this locality. Approximately 50 per cent, of the area of the central sections is in grass. Scherer's. —Operations were commenced last spring, and an area of about 40 acres has been stumped and logged and second growth is being cleared. The boundary-fences have been put in order, and approximately 20 acres sown in swedes. This section is reputed to be healthy, and it is expected that it will prove very attractive when the work is completed. Prendergast's. —The road fences have been renewed and the grassed area secured. Approximately 20 acres of swedes have been sown, and the house has been repaired. Stephen's.—Approximately 50 acres have been cleared and ploughed and are in crop. This area has been fenced, and the boundary-fences have been repaired. Most of this section will eventually be ploughed. About 80 acres of light scrub has been cut. Broome's, Thorley's, Flanagan's, Spence's, Dormer's, and Flett's.—These are all new sections on which work has not yet been commenced. The total live-stock carried on the Arohena sections is—Sheep, 4,445; run cattle, 186; dairy cattle, 7; horses, 13. Bain's Block (169 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land-development, Te Kuiti.) This block is situated in the Mangaorongo Survey District, Waitomo County. In 1934 it became evident that the occupier, who had been assisted under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, could not carry on, and the Department took over and proceeded with development under the Unemployment Board's Relief Scheme No. 4c. When this was terminated in May, 1936, the property was transferred to the control of the Superintendent of Land-development, Te Kuiti, and he has made good progress with the reconditioning work, 80 per cent, of which has been completed. Stock carried included 260 sheep, 24 run cattle, 6 dairy cattle, and 3 horses. Five men are employed. Benton's Block (989 Acres). (Control : Superintendent of Land-development, Te Kuiti.) This section is approximately 1,500 ft. above sea-level and is in a very heavy rainfall district (about 100 in. per annum). It was badly reverted, and the main work has been clearing second growth, fencing, and top-dressing, and very satisfactory results have been obtained. An area of approximately 120 acres of wineberry remains to be felled and grassed on this section. It has been decided to include in this block another 200 acres of Neilson's abandoned section opposite, on which no work has yet been commenced. The house has been renovated, and other work completed comprises clearing of patches of wineberry over about 300 acres and the regrassing of the patches on this area ; 196 chains of fencing has been repaired and 18 chains of new fences erected. The ewe flock now breeds its own requirements and has a surplus for sale. Stock carried : Sheep, 896 : run cattle, 71 ; dairy cattle, 5 ; horses, 2. Burns' Block (139 Acres). (Control : Superintendent of Land-development, Te Kuiti.) This was a completely reverted bush section badly infested with ragwort and in the heavy rainfall area (1,500 ft. above sea-level). Approximately 90 acres have been stumped, ploughed, cropped, and sown down in grass, of which about 40 acres has been renewed. All fences have been renewed, and the work is approximately 70 per cent, complete. . Stock carried : Sheep, 310 ; run cattle, 25 ; dairy cattle, 4 ; horses, 3.

15