Hakataramea station buyers are three district farmers

Press, 22 December 1978, Page 1

Hakataramea station buyers are three district farmers

The purchase of Hakataramea station, of 8800 ha, in South Canterbury by a group of district farmers will go ahead.

The leader of the consortium is Mr J. D. Mcllraith, of Hakataramea, who is deputy chairman of the Wool Board, said this week that finance for the purchase had been confirmed and possession of the station would be taken late next month. Mr Mcllraith said that no overseas funds would be involved. The other members of the group are Messrs P. W. Hayman and M. G. N. Rattray, boh of Waimate. Mr Hayman is a member of the Timaru Harbour Board and South Canterbury Electric Power Board and Mr Rattray is chairman of the Waimate County Council. Mr Mcllraith came into prominence in the early 1970 s as one of the strongest opponents of the scheme under which the former Wool Marketing Corporation would have compulsorily acquired all shorn wool. During the controversy over that issue he came on to the Wool Board in 1973 and

has been a member ever since.

For the last 10 years the three men have been farming in partnership the 5600 ha Waihao Valley propery, at Waihaorunga, in South Canterbury.

Hakataramea has been owned by Dalgety, Ltd, the parent company of Dalgety New Zealand, Ltd, since Dalgety’s acquired the New Zealand and Australian Land Company. When Dalgety’s decided to sell the station it was first offered to the Crown. But the Government declined to buy it mainly on the ground that money was not available at the time.

The Government’s decision has been widely criticised as the station was considered to be ideal for subdivision for settlement. Mr Mcllraith said that the three families involved in the purchase of the property had 12 sons among them and that settlement of those members of the family who wished to farm would be a first priority. However, he hoped that eventually they would be able to make land available for settle-

ment of others than members of the families. He believes that the station would subdivide into a maximum of about 16 units.

A company formed by the purchasers may be called Hakataramea ~ Station Company.

The property has been carrying about 2000 ewes and replacements, and 1800 breeding cows and replacements. The new owners intend to carry on running sheep and cattle and to increase production. Mr Mcllraith commented on some of the persons who have been most vociferous in the debate over the Government’s having rejected the offer of the property.

He said he had some sympathy for the genuine people in the district who had thought that the property would eventually come under the control of the Government and be subdivided. However, he was concerned about the attitude of some persons who “jumped on the bandwaggon for reasons best known to themselves.”

It was a matter of concern for him the way that a Minister (the Minister of Lands, Mr V. S. Young) had been treated when he came into the district. He believed that a Minister of the Crown deserved better than that, Mr Mcllraith said.