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Te Aim (Locality: Waipukurau). —Area, 3,869 acres. Acquired, sth February, 1948. This will be a fairly-long-term development programme to provide five sheep units. One hundred and twenty acres have been sown down in new grass, and it is proposed to sow 300 acres in crop this spring. Power is being connected to the block and a power water-supply is being investigated. A very extensive fencing and scrub-cutting programme is envisaged. Te Roto (Locality: Takapau).—Area, 1,404 acres. Four sheep units. Two sections have been allotted on permanent tenure. The development on the remaining two has been completed and the sections will be balloted on fixed charges immediately. Twyford (Locality : Hastings).—Area, 103 acres. Acquired, March, 1947. Subdivided into two dairy units. To give a better subdivision, approxinately 10 acres is being added from an adjoining property. A contract has been let for the installation of water-supplies, and repair work on fencing has been completed. Commissioner of Crown Lands, New Plymouth Ball Road Farm Settlement, near Patea. —Area, 436 acres. Acquired, June, 1947. Five dairying units. Five ex-servicemen in possession on share-milking basis with promises of allotment. Development completed and charges should be fixed for 1948-49 season. Fraser Road Farm Settlement, near Eltham.—Area, acres. One unit for dairying. Possession, Ist May, 1947. One ex-serviceman settled as share-milker with promise of section. Development completed and charges should be completed for 1948-49 season. Normanby Farm Settlement, near Normanby.—Area, acres. Acquired, Ist July, 1947. Two dairy units. One ex-serviceman as share-milker with promise of a section. Development completed and remaining section will be allotted in July, 1948. OJcato Farm Settlement, Okato. —Area, 211 acres. Acquired, Ist July, 1947. Two dairying-units. Ex-serviceman share-milker with promise of a section. Development should be completed in time for allotment in July, 1948. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington The preparation of blocks for settlement has not progressed as well as was hoped, as development has been held up by shortages of labour and materials. The most serious shortage is in supplies of fencing-wire, while the delay in erection of buildings, especially on isolated blocks, is a contributing factor. All blocks came through the winter well and stock were forward. The exceptionally dry summer has had an adverse effect on both stock and crops. Wintering of stock will be affected, while winter crops have in some cases already been used and hay is in keen demand. Wheat grown in the Turakina district suffered badly from rust, resulting in very poor yields ; ravaging by the white butterfly and the aphis on swede and chou moellier crops has been severe. In spite of drought conditions it has not been found necessary to sacrifice any great numbers of stock in store condition —the acquisition of new blocks has in this respect helped considerably. Awawaro (Locality: Kimbolton).—Area, 5,117 acres. Purchased, 30th April, 1947. Subdivision, seven sheep-farms. Development comprises cutting tea-tree scrub, fencing, stumping, and erection of buildings. About 250 acres of scrub has been cut. The country is fairly hard and about four to five years' work will be necessary before settlement can safely be assured.

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