LAND BOUGHT BY GOVERNMENT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25082, 14 January 1947, Page 5

LAND BOUGHT BY GOVERNMENT

SETTLEMENT OF SERVICEMEN

ESTATE IN SOUTHLAND (P.A.) INVERCARGILL, January 13. The whole of the Southland Frozen Meat Company's Southdown and Cotswold estate, comprising 5645 acres, has been purchased by the Government for the rehabilitation of returned servicemen. This is one of the best known properties in Southland and its progress during the 10 years it has been in possession of the company has been watched with close interest by the farming community. Soon after the first portion of 2546 acres was acquired in 1934, the directors of the company made a visit of inspection and decided to bring part of that piece into cultivation ana prepare plans for a homestead, stable, and woolshed. Later they bought the remaining property and embarked on a policy of speedy development and improvement with the ultimate aim of subdividing it and settling farmers on the improved areas. A direct result of the policy has been a rapid development of the land from an area of swamp and tussock to its present condition where it carries 24,000 sheep and lambs, and about 500 or 600 head of cattle.

When the company took over the property even a hack would have been bogged in many parts of it To-day there is practically no place on the property where it is not possible to drive a car. Modern machinery, unstinted expenditure, careful planning, and hard work made the property one of the- outstanding examples of rapid land development in New Zealand. The company has had the nroperty under offer to the Government for rehabilitation and soldier settlement for some time and its terms have now been accepted. The purchase price has not been disclosed.