G—lo

has proved the most satisfactory method of dealing with the gorse. The grass-grub affected approximately 190 acres of this property, reducing the carrying-capacity temporarily. The Department of Agriculture has joined with this Department in an endeavour to combat the pest. Pukemoremore Scheme. —Settlers have been established as dairy-farmers on this scheme, and it is thought that further areas will be settled when sufficient wire and fertilizer becomes available. The question of reticulation of electricity to this scheme is at present under consideration. Grass-grub has been evident in parts of the scheme and it was found necessary to plough up about 15 acres. This area was sown in turnips preparatory to regrassing. Ranui Scheme. —This scheme, comprising 3,769 acres between Te Uku and Ohautira, is about twenty-five miles from Hamilton and is a part of the old Ranui Station, which under European management, was well known in the Raglan district many years ago. A meeting of the owners of the blocks included in the scheme was held at Ngaruawhia in March last, and after discussion the owners agreed to allow the farming profits to remain in the Department's accounts for debt-reduction rather than have them distributed by way of dividend. Tunaelce Scheme. —This scheme, comprising an area of 406 acres, is situated approximately three miles from Whatawhata and is near the main Frankton-Raglan Road. Subdivision has taken place and four Maori dairy-farmers have been successfully established on the area. Waimiha Scheme. —Situated one mile and a half from Waimiha Railway-station on the Main Trunk line, about forty miles south of Te Kuiti, this property comprises an area of 4,299 acres and is one of the earlier development projects. The country is on the outskirts of the region affected by the Taupo pumice showers. The use of cobaltized superphosphate has overcome the deficiencies in the soil. Considerable progress has been made in the control of ragwort, mainly by allocating sufficient sheep for the purpose to each dairy-farmer. There is an ample supply of winter feed on hand and all the stock are at present in excellent condition. On this scheme the maintenance of fences is a problem, on account of the scarcity of the supply of suitable fencing-posts at a reasonable price. The Pinus radiata plantations, mostly on the Crown areas included in the scheme, have made very good growth and in time will prove a valuable asset to the Department. There has been some subdivision of the lands in this scheme, and several of the settlers have made sound farming and economic progress. Whangamata Scheme. —This scheme, situated approximately eleven miles from Waihi on the east coast, comprises approximately 5,000 acres of Crown land, of which 1,500 acres is considered capable of being economically developed. This scheme commenced soon after war was declared, and, with general shortages of materials, no extensive planning ahead was possible. What development has been carried out was done mainly on heavily timbered river flats. To help relieve the grain shortage, 50 acres of river flats have been planted in maize by way of trial. WAIARIKI NATIVE LAND COURT DISTRICT Weather conditions, limitation of fertilizer-supplies, and the difficulty in obtaining farm labour during the past year are reflected in the butterfat-production for the year, which is 180,0001b. below last season's figure, which was also below that of 1944-45. The average butterfat-production per cow is 1401b. It is now almost general practice in this district for dairy-farmers to have from 50 to 100 ewes for ragwort control. The revenue from these ewes has, in many cases, been of very great financial assistance to the unit accounts, besides effectively controlling the ragwort.

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