Three farms by ballot

Press, 11 December 1982, Page 2

Three farms by ballot

Two Canterbury farm managers and one from Hawke's Bay were successful in a ballot' in Christchurch yesterday for three farms on the Lands and Survey Department's farm settlement at Coringa. in North Canterbury.

Mr Ken Turpin, aged 37, and Mrs Turpin, of View Hill. Oxford, held the number of the' second marble drawn from the ballot box and were allocated unit C.

Mr Michael Willis, aged 39, and Mrs Willis, of Prices Valley, Little River, were allocated unit A, and the holders of the number of the first marble drawn were P. G. and N. B. McKellow, of Waipawa. Hawke's Bay. who were given unit B.

The three Coringa units range from 300 ha to 351 ha. Each is considered capable of carrying about 2300 ewes and replacements. The capital values range from

$485,000 to $525,000. Two other units at Coringa were balloted early this year and there is provision for up to three more. Forty-three applicants took part in'yesterday's ballot. A total of 65 applications were received, but 14 were declined, two withdrawn, and six applicants were successful in other ballots.

For the last two years and a half, Mt Turpin has managed a 330 ha farm on the foothills near Oxford. Previously he mustered on several high-country stations in the South Island before doing casual farm work and farming in the Oxford area. Mr Turpin was drenching hoggets when told of his success in the ballot and admitted to being excited.

Mr Willis has managed an 800 ha tussock country property at Prices valley for 11 years.

Provided the successful applicants pay the necessary deposits they are expected to take possession of their blocks in March. The units have rental values ranging from $194,000 to $219,000 and minimum leasehold deposits from $53,700 to $55,200.