WAIMATE PLAINS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 33, 4 August 1880, Page 3

WAIMATE PLAINS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

Sir, — It is generally understood that within about a month from this date some of the Waimate Plains will be offered for sale ; they have been so much talked about, written about, and cracked up, that they are almost certain to sell for a high figure. Under these circumstances there are doubtless many persons who are on the look out for some of the land who would be glad to have a rough estimate of the minimum of capital which would probably be required in order to make a start on this land with a fair prospect of success. A gentleman of some experience in farming lately showed me the following estimate of the capital which he thought would be needed on a hundred acre farm, in order to start free of debt or incumbrance: — Land — £ s. d. 50 acres, cash, £8 400 0 0 60 acres, deferred payment, £8, one tenth part 40 0 0 Fencing — Boundary, say 180 chains, at 10a 65 0 0 Cross fences, say 65 chains ... 82 10 0 Cottage 100 0 0 Implements, tools, &c. ... 50 0 0 Stock — 85 head mixed cattle at £4 10s. 157 10 0 Pair of horses 50 0 0 £895 0 0 The above calculation is based upon the assumption that the average price of the Plains land, both for cash sections and on deferred payment, will reach the estimate of the chief surveyor. The probability seems to be that the cash sections will sell for less, and the deferred payment sections for more than that sum. During nine years from the time of taking up his land, the settler would have to pay £40 annually as progress payments, besides complying with the other conditions attached to land on deferred payments. In the above calculation, only 10s. per chain for all fencing has been allowed ; on the : Plains fencing will probably cost at least a third more than this ; but on the other hand, wherever the boundary does not abut on a road or on native reserve, of course the neighbor would be called upon to pay half the cost. In the above rough estimate, no allowance has been made for any expenditure on grass seed, agricultural labor, &o. Many a struggling farmer might prefer to delay subdividing his property, and expend more of his small capital in seed, &c. Perhaps some of your readers may be i able aad wilting to pnp&ye & ehnllar es£- , mate of the cost of taking up a 100- farm on the Plains on a somewhat more economical besis than the one quoted by me, and which would be read with interest by others as well as by— Yours, &c,