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Pakihikura (Location : Rewa). —Area, 2,024 acres. Purchased, 7th August, 1946. Subdivisions, three sheep-farms. The fence-line on Mangapipi Road has been completely renewed, most of the boundary fences need repairing, and further internal fencing will have to be erected. The Housing Construction Department is having difficulty in letting the contract for the new house. The whole property has been cleared of scrub during the winter and summer. Three ex-servicemen ballotees are employed on wages, and charges will be fixed prior to 1948-49 season. Paruwai (Location : Martinborough).—Area, 7,724 acres. Purchased, 4th March, 1946. Subdivisions, six sheep-farms. Development progress has been retarded on account of negotiations by Public Works Department regarding new roading requirements and availability of necessary heavy machinery. One new house is in course of construction, but the main building programme is dependent on completion of the road —further progress must be delayed until road-formation is finished. The sections will not be offered for ballot until housing accommodation is available for settlers, and final disposal is not anticipated for at least a year. Pokaka (Location : Moawhango, seven miles north-east of Taihape). —Area, 2,319 acres. Purchased, 20th February, 1947. Subdivisions, three sheep-farms. Three dwellings were purchased with the property and development will comprise fencing and some scrub-cutting. Settlement is anticipated in 1948 season. A manager appointed with right to an undefined section. Purakau (Location : Featherston). —Area, 1,140 acres. Purchased, 19th February, 1945. Subdivisions, nine dairy-farms. Development has been completed with the exception of certain fencing, which will be erected by June, 1947. The nine ex-service-men ballotees, who had been working on wages, were established on fixed charges on Ist October, 1946. Putara (Location : Eketahuna). —Area, 200 acres. Purchased, Ist August, 1945. Single dairy and sheep unit. Development having been completed, the ex-serviceman who had been employed on wages was established on fixed charges on Ist July, 1946. Rangitane (Location : Opiki). —Area, 259 acres. Purchased, 31st March, 1947. Subdivision, four dairy-farms. Possession of 129 acres was taken on 31st March, and possession will be taken of the balance at the end of present dairy season. The main development work will comprise erection of four new houses, cow-sheds, and implementsheds, provision of adequate internal and subdivisional fencing reticulation of watersupply, and some draining. A manager has been appointed with right to an undefined section, and a further ballot will be held when possession of the balance of property is taken and accommodation available. Final settlement depends on completion of the building programme, but it is anticipated that it will be effected in time for commencement of 1948-49 dairy season. Rata (Location : Rata). —Area, 632 acres. Purchased, 6th March, 1946. Subdivisions, seven dairy and one fat-lamb unit. The major development of this block has been held up pending completion of negotiations for purchase of 412 acres adjoining, but this land is included in above subdivisions. Roading and digging of main drains has had to be held in abeyance until the result of negotiations was known, but a considerable stumping and cultivation programme has been proceeded with. One hundred and sixty acres, half of which was in stumps and rushes, has been ploughed, and was sown in wheat and barley. An excellent yield was in view, but the storm in February flattened a good deal of the crops and difficulty was experienced in harvesting. There are no buildings on property, and the development programme includes provision of eight houses, seven cow-sheds, eight implement-sheds, 740 chains fencing, 400 chains drains, and a comprehensive water-supply scheme. A manager with right to an undefined section and three " A " Grade ex-servicemen ballotees of undefined sections are employed on wages pending completion of development. Raukawa (Location: Palmerston North). —Area, 190 acres. Purchased, 18th March, 1947. Subdivisions, two dairy-farms. A manager has been appointed with right to an undefined section, and a ballot for the remaining section will be held as soon as

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