WAIRAKAU ESTATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 236, 6 October 1930, Page 5

WAIRAKAU ESTATE.

GROUP SETTLEMENT SCHEME DAIRY FARMING LAND. OFFER TO GOVERNMENT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) TE AROHA, Sunday. A group settlement has been formed in Te Aroha for the purpose of applying to the Government to acquire the Wairakau estate, owned by Mr. J. T. Drinkall, who has consented to sell at a price wJiich is considered to. be well within its value. The property consists of 1901 acres of rich, flat country, excellently grassed, a portion of rising ground and low hills interspersed with rich valleys. At the back the land is high, being a part of the mountain, but mostly grassed, and it can easily be topdressed. There are no fewer than 35 paddocks, all of which are well watered by streams. At the back there is ample bush timber for further fencing, while near the homestead there, is a big plantation of pinus insignis, the trees being up to 60ft in height. This plantation is of considerable value. An electric power system nearby provides power for the milking shed and light for the residences. The homestead dwelling is of ten large rooms of heart of kauri and totara, and there are two cottages and several farm buildings. All the flat land is exceptionally well tile drained. Access to the property is by main road, six miles from Te Aroha, and it adjoins the McNicol estate, purchased by th© Government last week. All the applicants for the subdivisions reside in the Te Aroha district, and if the Government makes the purchase, dairy farming will be carried on on a big scale. The back portion of the estate would be used for sheep and cattle. As there is already a metalled road to the homestead, over a mile from the main thoroughfare, very little cx.tr,a roadipg will be necessary, more especially as one applicant is ready to take up the hill block. If the proposition is accepted by the Government there will in due course be an addition of at least 30 dairy farmers, including those successful in the McNicol estate ballot, and the progress of Te Aroha district will be accelerated. At present the property is carrying, besides 150 head of cattle, 1100 hoggets and 2500 ewes, with 125 per cent of lambs. Since May last the flat land has

carried over seven ewes to the acre, which clearly indicates the carrying capacity of the property.