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the middle of June, 1947, the Department has been able to proceed with the development programme. Several wells sunk and good water obtained, and buildings are under way. Sections will be allotted later this year with herds either milked on wages or share-milked for one season. Fraser Road, on Fraser Road, four miles from Eltham. Area, acres. Singleunit dairy-farm. Although possession is not till Ist May, 1947, the buildings, yards, and water-supply are in hand. This area will be balloted later in the year. Manutahi, situated on Manutahi Road, seven miles from-Patea. Area, 491 acres. Acquired 31st May, 1946. Subdivided, six dairy-farms. Five new dwellings, six milkingsheds, and six implement-sheds were all completed and plants installed. Charges were fixed on all six units, which were selected on 27th June, 1946. Normanby, on Whenuku Road, off Norman Road, three miles from Normanby. Area, 174f acres. Will cut into two dairy units. Possession, Ist July, 1947. The Department has right to proceed with survey and improvement. Little development will be needed on this area, which can be disposed of on fixed charges next year. This year share-milkers will be employed. Peterson, situated seven miles from New Plymouth. Area, 248 acres. Acquired, Ist June, 1946. Subdivided, two dairy-farms. Water-supply installed and one new dwelling, cow-shed, and implement-shed erected. Allotted to two ex-servicemen on Ist July, 1946, on fixed charges. ToJcirima (being developed by Superintendent of Land Development, Te Kuiti), situated at Tokirima, in the King-country. Area, 1,640 acres approximately. Subdivision, two sheep-farms and two dairy-farms (tentative). Possession will not be taken till 30th April, 1947. It is hoped to have this block settled next year. Waitoetoe, on Mokau Road, Waitoetoe, twenty-four miles from New Plymouth, Area, 151 acres. Acquired, 24th August, 1945. Subdivided, two dairy-farms. Improvements effected comprised one full range of buildings, fencing, roading, water-supply. Allotted to ex-servicemen on fixed charges as from Ist July, 1946. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington At the beginning of the year twenty blocks, aggregating 28,144 acres and estimated to provide eighty-one economic units, were under development, and during the year a further seventeen blocks, aggregating 25,747 acres and estimated to provide a further fifty-six units, have been acquired. Of these units, twenty-two will be dairy, three will be small-fruit farms, and the balance fat-lamb and store-sheep - run-cattle propositions. Charges were fixed with respect to seven blocks and twenty-nine settlers established at the commencement of 1945-46 season. All the remainder of the blocks are being farmed by the Department pending completion of the development programme, and practically all labour is provided by ex-servicemen managers and Grade " A " exservicemen ballotees, who will be allotted their individual sections when sufficiently developed for charges to be fixed. Progress is still hampered by shortage of essential materials such as fencing-wire and posts, and the Department of Housing Construction has also experienced considerable difficulties in providing the necessary buildings. Awarua (Locality : Utiku) —Area, 1,977 acres. Purchased, 28th February, 1945. Subdivisions, four sheep-farms. Development programme has been completed and settlers were established on fixed charges in October, 1946. Awatea (Locality : Tinui, twenty-four miles east of Masterton). —Area, 3,196 acres. Purchased, 7th May, 1946. Subdivisions, two sheep-farms. Development comprises fencing, clearing, and cultivation. About 450 acres has been tractor disked, while a further 140 acres has been giant disked during the year. Development of this block has been delayed pending the result of negotiations for acquisition of adjoining land. Comprehensive development cannot be undertaken until a final decision is reached. Cherrybank (Locality : Wanganui). —Area, 384 acres. Purchased, 29th March, 1946. Subdivisions, three dairy and sheep units. When purchased was an almost derelict property which had mostly reverted to scrub, gorse, and other noxious weeds with variegated thistle prevalent and presenting a definite menace. Has been balloted, the

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