FARM BLOCKS OFFERED FOR SETTLEMENT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30270, 24 October 1963, Page 3

FARM BLOCKS OFFERED FOR SETTLEMENT

About 40 applicants are expected by the Lands and Surv :y Department for the three blocks of land being offered for settlement near Ashburton. They are blocks of about 320 acres each on the Valetta Farm Settlement, between Ashburton and Mav. Arid.

The land has all been developed by the Crown with fencing, irrigation, and new grass, and is suitable for fat lamb farming. When these three blocks have been settled it will bring to halfway the programme for bringing the 8000-odd acres into production. Applicants must be bona fide farmers, preferably young men who have not owned ferms before. Before being admitted to the ballot they will have to satisfy the .lind Settlement Committee as to their ability and experience to farm this sort of country, and that they have the necessary resources to finance the venture. The estimated present car-

rytng capacity of each block is 1100 ewes and replacements. The soil is described as light, stony, clay loam up to 6in deep over 4in of clay and shingle over a porous Shingle subsoil. It is all flat and plougha'ble. and each block has a house and other buildings. . Successful applicants can secure a lease Of the land with improvements, stock and plant totalling about £16.500 fa value for a deposit of only £2650. The department emphasises the importance of irrigation. “Irrigation water will be the lifeblood of these units," say the conditions of offering, “and without it they would be quite uneconomic. Each unit contains approximately 200 acres of border-dyked land and each acre may require six to 10 or more separate applications of water from September till April each year. Application of water is time-consuming and may fall due when shearing, harvesting, or other seasonal operations are equally pressing. In an emergency, therefore, very long hours must be worked, and here young and active men would have a considerable advantage.” This is the fourth year of the scheme, and the department says the first man to take up a block has been quite successful. Applications for this year's blocks will close on November 12.