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Waikite, at Rotorua, 8,702 acres. Acquired : 7,536 acres in 1938 and 1,166 acresin 1947. 8,237 acres are considered suitable for development. Tentative subdivision, sixty sections. During the year development of four dairy sections on the Whirinaki sub-block has been practically completed, and four ex-servicemen settlers will be established on these in July, 1949. The immediate objective is to prepare for settlement a further five dairy sections on the main Waikite Block. It is expected that these will be completed in 1951. During the year 570 acres of virgin country were crushed, burned, cultivated, and sown in grass, and work on a further 700 acres is under way. Waitaha, at Tauranga, 168 acres. Acquired, October, 1946. Objective : Subdivision into one dairy unit and a small area for amalgamation with adjoining ex-service-man uneconomic unit. Development completed, and one ex-serviceman at present on wages will be established on fixed charges, July 1949. Wharere, at Pongakawa, 4,941 acres. Acquired in 1933, 1938, and 1940. Billingsportion of 895 acres should provide six dairy farms for allotment in 1951. Seven hundred acres of this portion is in grass, and balance will be grassed in 1950. Grassed area has been heavily top-dressed, with good results. Jensens portion of 1,465 acres should provide seven mixed units for allotment in 1952. During the year 280 acres of heavy scrub and fern has been cleared, cultivated and sown, and grass has established strongly. Approximately 500 acres remain to be grassed in 1950. Original Wharere area of 2,581 acres, acquired in 1933, is a long-term-development job and further development cannot proceed until comprehensive drainage completed. During the year 490 acres was isolated,, mechanical pump installed, 175 acres cleared, cultivated, and grassed, with good results. Gisborne Land District With the present greatly improved supply position more rapid progress will be made with the development of blocks, although delay is still being experienced with the building programme.' Sixty-eight new dwellings are required, of which twenty-one have been completed, twenty are under construction, and twenty-seven are not yet started. Blocks under development are : Hakanui, at Waerenga-o-kuri, 4,827 acres. Acquired, July, 1948. Objective: Five sheep units. A severed area of 1,560 acres will require a longer term for development, owing to poor pasture and scrub reversion. Three hundred acres of manuka is being cut prior to surface sowing, and 44 acres have been cropped for autumn grassing. Five dwellings will be required, and 1 mile of access road formed and metalled. Hihiroroa, at Here, 4,407 acres. Acquired, February, 1947. Objective : Five sheep units. Development programme : Erection of four dwellings, stock-yards, minor fencing repairs. Progress : Forty acres have been regrassed, and fencing and stockyards attended to ; buildings proceeding. Sections should be allotted on fixed charges for 1949-50 season for ex-serviceman manager and four ex-servicemen. Hiwinui, at Rere, 7,314 acres. Acquired, February, 1947. Development practically completed except for buildings, and sections will be allotted with some temporary accommodation in May, 1949, to the six ex-servicemen with promises of allotment. Hokoroa, at Waimata, 4,156 acres. Acquired, October, 1948. Objective : Three sheep units. Development programme : Extensive fencing, erection of two dwellings, and the formation and metalling of 3 miles of road. Huinga, at Wairoa, 1,901 acres. Acquired, February, 1948. Objective: Two sheep and one dairy unit. Development programme : .Erection of two dwellings, milking and implement sheds ; cultivation and regrassing of 220 acres, 300 chains fencing repairs, and the installation of the necessary water-supplies. Progress : Regrassing will be attended to this autumn, when buildings are expected to be completed so that allotment can be made, July, 1949. Ex-serviceman manager and ex-serviceman on wages, with promise of sections.

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