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permanency of the pasture before handing over the land for permanent settlement. With this object in view a demonstration farm and six share-milking farms were established on the block, and a further five share-milking farms are to be occupied during the forthcoming season. The returns from all farms have been very satisfactory. With a continuation of this success during the coming season the block will probably be offered for selection next autumn. The transformation of the Onepu Block in the Bay of Plenty District from a tea-tree waste to excellent pasture has been the subject of much favourable comment. Four settlers were established on dairy-farms last season and five more in May, 1933. It has been possible to dispose of this land at an average price of £8 6s. sd. per acre, which has cleared the cost of developing the land. Pending the completion of the development of several blocks the Lands Development Board has authorized farming of the land and the provision of suitable stock. In all these cases it has been possible to acquire stock at very favourable prices. The financial results of the farming operations have been satisfactory, while, of course, the judicious use of the stock has assisted in the developmental work and pasture-control. Loans to Crown tenants for developmental purposes are confined mostly to the -North Auckland and the Auckland Land Districts, where there is a large proportion of land suitable for development. Some 405 tenants have been assisted, and loans approved total £173,122. Low prices for primary products have, of course, caused difficulties in their farming operations, but in the majority of cases settlers are rapidly converting their holdings into self-contained farms. Pursuant to s6ction 10 of the Land. Amendment Act, 1929, the following summary of operations up to 31st March, 1933, is recorded : — (a) The several areas of unoccupied Crown lands in respect of which development works have been undertaken — North Auckland Land District,. (1) Wharekohe Block of 3,500 acres of gum land, Whangarei District, of which 1,450 acres have been developed : This block was subdivided into twenty-two dairyfarms, of which seventeen sections were balloted in June, 1932, all being selected. Auckland Land District. . (2) Ngakuru Block, of 14,755 acres of light pumice land, fifteen miles from Rotorua : This block will provide about fifty dairy-farms. Six share milkers were established last season, and a demonstration farm of 170 acres was established by the Lands Development Board. The demonstration farming operations for the season resulted in a profit of £162, after charging interest on the capital involved. The annual average butterfat return per cow was 239 lb. A further five share milkers are to be established for the forthcoming season, and it is proposed to offer the land for selection in the autumn of 1934. The Agriculture Department has supervised developmental work in this case. (3) Te Kauwhata Block, of 1,750 acres of wattle country, of which 1,180 acres were sown in new grass, and on which 1,005 chains of fencing were erected. The block was subdivided into twelve dairy-farms, all of which have been selected. The Agriculture Department carried out the necessary development work. (4) Onepu Block, of 2,536 acres pumice land near Te Teko, Bay of Plenty. This block will provide twenty-one farms. Four sections were selected at the beginning of last season, and five more were taken up in May, 1933. This development work has been outstandingly successful. The land, exclusive of buildings, was taken up at an average value per acre of £8 6s. sd. The pasture is remarkably good, settlers in occupation being thoroughly satisfied. A portion of this block has been taken over by the Small Farms Board for the settlement of unemployed workers. (5) Koromatua Block, of 941 acres, eight miles from Te Aroha : 283 acres of this block were laid in pasture, 505 chains of fencing erected, 271 chains drains dug, and 135 chains of roads constructed. The block was subdivided into six dairy-farms, of which four were selected in July, 1932. (6) Galatea Estate, of 22,326 acres, near Murupara : This is a purchased estate which is being developed in collaboration with the Agriculture Department with a view to approximately twenty sections being offered for selection in February, 1934, not less than thirty sections early in 1935, and a similar number each year until the whole area is settled. Each farm will have an area of approximately 100 acres. A demonstration farm of 100 acres is to be established this year to illustrate the possibilities of the land. In the meantime the remainder of the block is being run as a mixed farm. The stock comprises 8,670 ewes, 6,000 lambs, and 1,900 cattle. As at 31st March, 1933, development work consisted of 3,681 acres cleared ready for cultivation, 2,803 acres cultivated but not then in grass, 1,030 acres new grass sown, and 4,008 chains of fencing erected. Attention is also being given to the provision of adequate shelter-belts of trees and of a suitable reticulated water supply. The prospects of the successful settlement of this estate are very bright. (7) Whangamarino Block, near Mercer, of -842 acres, of which 821 acres are being developed : This block is being developed by the Agriculture Department. Approximately 800 acres have been laid down in grass, and it is proposed to offer the land for selection early next year in eight dairy-farms. In the meantime stock is being run to control the grass.

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