720 Jounial of Agriculture. [lo Nov., 1909. 



on the colony and charged to the pig account. Far greater returns are 

 anticipated from this industry during the coming year as the new piggery 

 is now completed, and the pigs can be given Ijetter attention. 

 At the close the stock consisted of the following : — 



Crossbred breeding sovv s ... ... ... 34 



Pedigree Yorkshire sows ... ... ... 8 



Porkeis ... ... ... ■. ••• 3° 



Stores ... ... ... ..• ••• 80 



Suckers ... ... ... .■■ ■■• 19 



Yorkshire boars ... ... ... .■• 2 



Berkshire boars ... ... .•• ••• i 



Total ... ... ... ... 174 



Beef. — The Leaf is all slaughtered on the colony. Early in the year 

 cattle were dear, but I have managed to buy at average cost of 14s. 2d. 

 per 100 lbs. (general average). 



Colonists. — The colonists on the average have been a very fair lot of 

 men who do a reasonable amount of work in a day. When first taking 

 charge, thirteen months ago, I found that nearly every colonist's aim 

 was to do as little as possible, and to stop others from working if in- 

 clined to do so, and these men were the biggest fault-finders on the place. 

 I told them that they were expected to do a fair thing, and they would be 

 treated likewise. This policy I have endeavoured to follow out. If a 

 colonist does fair work his Vvages are raised ; those who do not, get no 

 rise, and those found loafing dismissed, with the understanding that they 

 will not be taken back. A large number come back regularly to the 

 colony and acknowledge its benefits to them. Only in one instance have 

 I had abusive language from a colonist. Their conduct is very good, 

 and thev are easily managed if taken properly and quietly, firmness at 

 all times being necessary. A few come who are physically incapable of 

 work, and these are given as light work as possible. As far as possible, 

 men are put on work most suitable to them and profitable to us. Tf a 

 colonist desires to learn any particular work, he is put at it and taught. 

 A practice is always made never to send a lazy man to outside employ- 

 ment. The colonists know this, and therefore work better, I have 

 secured the confidence of local employers by sending them good men. and 

 the result is far more employment for the men at better wages. 



During the year we have had numerous visitors from various parts 

 of the world, besides farmers from the surrounding districts. Informa- 

 tion has been supplied on dairying, pigs, and silage, with good results. 

 Several officers from the Agricultural and Lands Departments have visited 

 the colony, and I am always pleased to see and confer with them. 



Rainfall for the Year 1908-g. 



1908. 



July ... ... ... ... ... 2.92 



August ... ... ... ... .■ 3-20 



September ... ... ... ... 3.57 



October ... ... ... .•• 2.57 



November ... ... ... ■.• 1.70 



December ... ... ... ... 6.t>4 



1909. 



January ... ... ••• ••■ 2.71 



February ... ... ... .•• 1.28 



March ... ... ... ..• ••• i-02 



April ... ... ... ... ••• 3-6q 



May ... ... .-■ .•• •■■ 2.87 



June ... ... ... ... ..■ 5-^S 



32-72 



