THE RICHMOND BROOK ESTATE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 159, 11 July 1906, Page 3

THE RICHMOND BROOK ESTATE.

SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS

The following report of the Crown Lands Ranger (Mr W. B. Buckhurst) was received at yesterday s meeting ol the Laud Board, and adopted as highly satisfactory: — The Richmond Brook Estate, contiguous with Starborough, and situated further up the Awatere Valley, comprises 11 holdings, and the total area is 5854 acres. The land has been occupied by Crown a little over six years', the estate having been offered for selection along witli Starborough. . All the settlers are complying with the residential conditions. The population numbers 50 souls, residing in 10 dwelling-houses. The improvements which have been effected are estimated to be worth £0874. All the settlers have complied with the conditions. There are no defaulters for anything. Last season was good; lambing was very fair, being over 90 per cent. The stock carried on the estate consists of 5800 sheep, 32 head of cattle, and GO horses.

.An area of 76f> acres was cultivated; 254 were in barley, 169 in oats, 100 in whent, the remainder in roots and she-.'p feed. Wheat averaged. 30 bushels per si ere; barley 22, and the oats, chiefly grown for chaffing, 2 tons of sheaves to the acre.