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The farmers appear to be appreciative of this effort made on their behalf, but it is hoped that the beneficial results of the lime already sown will increase their interest in the use of lime for pasture-improvement. Tikitiki, which is located some twenty miles from Te Araroa Scheme, is the centre •of the very fertile and compact Waiapu Scheme. Here sixty settlers on the Tikitiki side, and twelve across the river at Tikapa are engaged in dairying, with a few sheep or mixed farms on the hills. For special food-production an intensive effort to grow maize was made, and in spite of a late start nearly 300 acres were successfully planted, most of it promising a good yield. The major part of the area was planted with Pfister seed, Motiti seed being used only for lighter land. This maize was grown only on areas of indifferent pasture or on waste land previously unfenced. During the year a major water-supply scheme was installed to serve eleven unit farms and houses in the Tikapa area. The dam, pumphouse, 6,000-gallon reservoir, and main pipe-lines are completed, and water is now available for all farms, and reticulation of each farm is now being undertaken. It is of interest to note the receipt of a number of applications from interested owners to bring further lands under development. Some 6,000 acres of Marangairoa blocks are affected, but completion of the action is delayed owing to the necessity for consolidation of titles and construction of access roading. The Poroporo scheme is located at the junction of the Mangaoporo and Waiapu Rivers. Here, on 500 acres admirably situated for dairying or cropping, six units are carrying on farming. Uruahi Station, of 2,100 acres, with its account in credit, continues to produce excellent returns and pays substantial dividends to the owners. The Poverty Bay Catchment Board has been consulted in regard to erosion, examples of which occur to an alarming extent. By an annual programme of gully planting it is expected that further slipping will be controlled. Across the Waiapu River from the Poroporo scheme is Hoata Station, on the outskirts of Ruatoria, the administration centre of the Tuparoa scheme and surrounding districts. There are four other stations within the scheme, and interspersed with these are a number of holdings (1,524 acres) which have been brought under development during the year. These have been joined with Whinau Station to comprise a new station called " Koura," of 2,955 acres. Under the same ownership a further block of 68 acres at Kaharau, a mile south of Ruatoria, has been gazetted. This block has been drained, and the bulk of it is now being ploughed with a view to maize-growing next season. Akuaku Blocks and Waipiro A 23b, run as schemes, are both developed to such a state that the work is now of a routine nature, the latter farm, being in credit financially, but badly requires a new dwelling. Ninety-eight acres of maize were sown on previously wiwi-infested land for special food-production. Two dairy-farms and one leased block comprise the Nuhaka scheme, forty miles south of Grisborne. One of these units has so progressed that it has been possible to obtain a Native Land Court recommendation that the main farming area be leased to him for a long term. The Mahia Peninsula and isthmus provide Maori land on which eighteen settlers are -farming under fair to good conditions. Maize-growing on the isthmus has shown that it is not profitable on this class of soil, although storms and a tidal wave detracted from the best results being obtained from the crop. On Nukutaurua Block, at Table Cape, work has been facilitated by the bridging of the Whangawehi Stream by the County Council, thus improving the access. Twelve miles south of Wairoa and eight miles inland from the main road and railway the Ngamahanga Station, comprising the Waihua scheme, is situated, 3,614 sheep and 274 dry run cattle being held.

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