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Keconditioning commenced about twelve months ago, and to date the following work has been completed : Dwelling renovated, 86 chains of new fencing erected, 115 chains drains cut, and 120 acres cleared. There is about 259 acres in bush, which will be left in the meantime. Stock has been carried only intermittently, as the fences are not all stock-proof. Number of men employed : Sixteen. O'Keefe's (236 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land-development, Te Kuiti.) This section was purchased from the State Advances Corporation. It had become very badly ragwort infested, the pastures had run out, and manuka and other second growth was rapidly spreading. Approximately 80 acres have not yet been developed owing to their isolated position, but it is intended to bring this in with stock after burning and surface sowing. Work has been progressing for three years, and the following improvements have been completed : One house has been renovated, 360 chains of new fence erected and 340 chains repaired, while 70 chains of drains have been dug ; 140 acres have been cleared, 60 acres cultivated and new grass sown on 120 acres, and 10 acres of old grass have been renovated. One set of sheep-yards has been constructed. Work on the present portion of 154 acres is practically completed, and the remainder mentioned above will be brought in cheaply as the opportunity offers. Number of men employed : Four. Stock carried : Sheep, 1,027 ; dairy cattle, 2 ; run cattle, 31 ; horses, 4. Olsen's Block (184 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land-development, Te Kuiti.) This is another abandoned section situated in the Mapara Survey District, Waitomo County. When the Superintendent took over, the pastures had practically totally reverted to fern and scrub, and were badly infested with ragwort. Work has only recently commenced, but 143 chains of new fencing has already been erected, 14 chains old fencing repaired, and 17 chains new drains dug. An area of 69 acres has been cleared and 12 acres cultivated ; 5 acres new grass has been sown. Number of men employed : Seven. Owen Block (580 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land-development, Te Kuiti.) This block comprises two abandoned sections which were totally reverted and badly infested with ragwort when the Small Farms Board took over. Approximately 70 acres was in standing bush, which will be reserved. Work has been in progress for about three years, and the improvements effected comprise 1,069 chains new fencing, 240 chains new drains, 450 acres cleared, 146 acres cultivated, and 436 acres sown in new grass. Fifteen men are employed, and the work is about 80 per cent, completed Stock carried : 1,389 sheep, 2 dairy cows, 160 run cattle, and 8 horses. Patoto Block (721 Acres). (Control: Superintendent of Land-development, Te Kuiti.) This block is comprised of three abandoned sections practically totally reverted and badly ragwort infested. Three miles of access road were required to be formed and metalled before work could be commenced. There are 243 acres of bush, which it is intended to leave standing. Work was commenced eighteen months ago, and consists of 644 chains new fencing completed and 20 chains repaired, and 20 chains of drains dug ; 390 acres have been cleared, 35 acres cultivated, and 265 acres sown in new grass. One set of sheep-yards has been constructed. Work is about one-third completed. Eight men are employed. Stock carried : Sheep, 675 ; run cattle, 3 ; horses, 4. Piu Block (1,909 Acres). (Control : Superintendent of Land-development, Te Kuiti.) Four abandoned sections which were totally reverted and badly infested with ragwort comprise this scheme, to which has been added a fifth section in the centre of the block purchased from the occupier. The purchase was necessary to give access to the western part of the block. Work has been in progress for three years, and the house has been repaired, 678 chains new fencing completed, 664 chains old fencing repaired, and 500 chains new drains have been dug ; 685 acres has been cleared, 214 acres cultivated, 314 acres surface sown, and 150 acres old pasture renovated. It has been necessary to form and metal 220 chains of road and to erect one set of sheep-yards (with dip) and one set of cattle-yards. The thirteen men employed have the work about 50 per cent, completed. Stock carried : 2,555 sheep, 6 dairy cattle, 67 run cattle, and 7 horses.

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