This study is one of the a series being initiated at the present time. In this instance the aim is to provide basic information about the farm labour situation in one representative South Island County. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions: (1) What is the structure of the farm labour force in Cheviot County? To what extent is family labour used and what are the ages and marital status of other farm employees. How extensively is casual and contract labour employed?(2) What, if any, is the extent of the farm labour shortage in Cheviot County? (3) Which (if a shortage exists) are the areas of shortage? Are particular types of farms or particular types of owners having greater problems than others? (4) What are the rewards offered to the labour' force at present employed in Cheviot County? How do these compare with the rewards offered for comparable work in urban areas?