CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 112, 5 February 1930, Page 12

CLOSER SETTLEMENT

WILDEN ESTATE PURCHASED * FOURTEEN PROPOSED SUBDIVISIONS “A FIRST-CLASS PROPERTY” A total of 24,000 acres will be available for closer settlement as a result of the purchase the Governmeut has concluded under the Land for Settlemnts Act of the Wilden Estate, formerly owned by Mr. R. L. ActonAdams, and situated near Heriot, Otago. Announcing the completion of the negotiations, the Minister of Lands (Hon. G. W. Forbes) informed a “Dominion” representative yesterday that the property comprised 15,174 acres freehold and 8890 acre;! held under pastoral license. The total area provided for closer settlement, 24,000 acres, would be subdivided to the best advanStock Carried. “The land is of excellent quality, and the property is one of the finest of its kind offered to the Government,” the Minister said., “The proposed number of subdivisions is from twelve- to fourteen. The land is first-class grazing country, and a large proportion of it is suitable for cropping. Agriculture has been carried on in the past up to a height of 2000 ft. above sea level. As an indication rf>f the excellent nature of the property, I might say that the stock carried prior to the purchase by the Government was 18,340 ewes, 4320 dry sheep, and '340 cattle. “It is confidently anticipated that the new settlement will fill a much-felt want for land of this class, and will be keenly sought after by intending selectors.” Selections in April. The Minister added that the subdivisional surveys would be sufficiently advanced to enable applications for selection to be received and a ballot held in the second sweek in April. Following the ballot, the late owner would hold a clearance sale of his well-known stock, which would give successful selectors a fine opportunity of stocking their farms with sheep. accustomed to the country. .The present stock, included 17,000 Corriedale ewes of high quality. “The Wilden wool clip,” Mr. Forbes observed, “has held pride of place for years, both in the Dominion and London markets. Wilden has been well handled, and is in excellent condition and heart. I expect the property to be sought after, as it is years since such an opportunity has been before the public.” Total Acquisitions. In answer to a question, the Minister stated that the Government had now purchased properties aggregating 50,000 acres. These would provide 125 additional holdings, a number of which had already been selected.

The purchase price of the Wilden Estate is not disclosed.