CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20666, 13 December 1930, Page 14

CLOSER SETTLEMENT

GOVERNMENT BUYS HAWKE'S BAY ESTATE [Peu United Pkess Assocmnox.J WELLINGTON, December 12. Tlio Minister.of Lunds (Mr Ransom) to-day announced the" purchase under the Lands for Settlement Act of_ Rce Brothers’ property, known as Kakariki, thirty-six miles from Nanier on tho main route from Napier jtu Wairoa. The aiva involved is 1,315 acres of freehold, with buildings thereon. Bee brothers will hand over their interest in 1G.G30 acres of Crown land hold at present under an S.G.li. lease and pastoral run liccm-o which is being resumed by the Crown. The property is carrying at present approximately 4,000 ewes and 4,500 dry sheep, besides 350 cattle and horses. Jt is proposed to subdivide portions of the block considered at present suitable for settlement and offer it for selection as soon as possible. The balance of the block is not in a sufficiently developed state to place on the market yd;, and prior to so doing it is the intention of the Government to carry out development works such as Idling, scrub cutting, and sowing down in grasses. The main'highway intersects the property, as also does the Napier-Gisborne railway (in the, course of construction). With regard to the latter, it will be an easy matter to provide access to railway sidings from any of the proposed "subdivisions. The vendors arc to retain possession till March 31 next, and in the meantime the necessary preliminaries Avill be undertaken by the Lands Department to offer for selection the improved portion of the block and to develop the semi-improved areas. The Minister further "stated that if is anticipated that the subdivision of Kakafiki will introduce a different class of farming from that at present carried on.