LAND SETTLEMENT

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3447, 19 November 1932, Page 5

LAND SETTLEMENT

IN HOKIANGA COUNTY. THE SMALL FARM PLAN. Enthusiasm 'for land settlement prospects in North Auckland was voiced by a Hamilton resident who has recently returned from a visit to Hokinnga County. Speaking to a Waikato Times representative he stated that he was much impressed with the land the County Council had decided to throw open under the small-farm plan. The sections would average 50 acres, each of land of excellent quality. Some sections had already been opened and if the balance were as good the successful applicants by industry and conscientious farming could not fail to establish themselves as permanent and prosperous settlers. After living in the Waikato for ten years it seemed strange to find that the making of hay and ensilage, and the growing of turnips, green oats and mangels, etc., was more the exception than the rule. The use of fertilisers was unknown to many of the settlers, as they -apparently were not needed. However, with their use production should be doubled, so excellent was the quality of the land. There should be no difficulty in milking ten months in the year and reaching the peak of production much earlier than in the Waikato,

Small Overhead Costs. The roads in the district were excellent, the cream carrying service efficient, and general transport reasonably cheap. As far as the blocks already opened were concerned the schooling facilities were convenient. Figuring on a capital cost of £SOO, plus £250 for improvements, and rates at 9d per acre, the settlers should be able to pay their way at an early date. The farmer had to pay interest at 5 per cent, on, say, £SOO, which meant only £25 a year. The Crown had acquired 1000 acres of good land for closer settlement purposes, and 18 settlers, with then wives and families —97 persons in all —were already established. So far 170 cows were being milked. In connection with these 50 acre farms the Government provided a small house, one ton of manure, iron for sheds, staples, concrete for the foundation of the cowshed, and a separator. So far as the purchase of cows was concerned the farmer found little difficulty in obtaining the necessary money.