GRANT AND FOSTER'S SPECIAL SETTLEMENT AT TE AROHA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6830, 8 October 1883, Page 12 (Supplement)

GRANT AND FOSTER'S SPECIAL SETTLEMENT AT TE AROHA.

The allocation of a large area of 18,216 acres in the Te Aroha block as a special settlement to Messrs. Grant and Foster, the delegates from the Lincolnshire farmers, created a good deal of discussion at the time. It would appear, however, that the settlement "is a success. Mr. C. H. Hiil, Crown Lands Kanger, has been on a visit to the district, and his report was submitted to the Crown Lands Board at the meeting held on Sept. 13. Details of the various improvements were submitted, but the following general report contains all the facts Auckland, September 3, 1883.-Sir,—l have the honour to inform you that, in compliance with your request, I have an inspection of Messrs. Grant and Foster's Special Settle--snent, Te Aroha, and forward herewith fortyseven descriptive schedules, showing the nature and extent of the improvements effected by the settlers. The number of adults enumerated in the eeveral land orders is 344. lam informed by Mr. E. T. Cox that all the persons (64 adults) whose names are included in his land order fyave arrived in Auckland. 1 am also informed by Mr.' G. C. Grant that all the persons whose names appear in the land orders have arrived in the Auckland provincial district. - X found 44 families residing on the land selected by them ; there are also three families residing on the block, who do not hold land orders, but "were introduced by Messrs. Grant and Foster. There have been 47 dwellingbouses (45 being the required number) erected for the settlers, the estimated value being £6339. There have also been erected by the sefctleirs in the settlement several other dwellinghouses, a general store, a hotel (temperance), out offices, and various* buildings ; estimated value, £2040, full details of which may be ascertained, a reference to the schedule accompanying this report. The area of land taken up by tho settlers is G7l6a 2r34p; the area under cultivation, 2581 a 2r. The latter includes 1078 acres grass surface sown, fern land, common harrowed, grass surface sown, fern land, and land ploughed in •fallow. The total values improvements are as followsLind ploughed and in grass, £1823 2s 6d: land due harrowed, and grass, £93 15s; land uwamp, drained and grass, £664 10s; land surface sown and in grass, £136 5* ; ( land ploughed and in fallow, £G47 3a ; land, other cultivations, £381 7s 6d ; drainage works, £1994 193 6d; fencing, £2626 4s 3d; dwelling houses, £6339; other 1 buildings, £2040. I beg to remark that a land j order in favour of Mr. George L. Grant for 50 -acres only has been received. By reference to the schedule of improvements effected by that gentlemen, it will he seen that he has taken up 1015 a3r 38p in excess. Also that a land order in favour ef Mr, William P. G. Brown for 10 acres only has been received; it will be observed on reference to his schedule of improvements that he has also taken up 116* 3r 9p in excess. —I have, &c., O. H. Hill, Crown Lands Ranger. Lands in Cultivation.—Grass ploughed, 729»; grass diso harrowed, 75a; grass 599* 2r; grass surface sown (common harrowed), 70 grass surface sown (fern land), 146* lr ; garden, 7a; potatoes, 17a; turnips and oats, 36 v; orchard, fca 2r; nursery, 6v 2r; rape, 20*; forest trees planted, sa; lands ploughed in fallow, 861 a 3r : total, 2581 a 2r. A list of those who had complied with the conditions was submitted, and it was agreed that, on the production of reoeipts from Messrs. Grant and Foster, Crown grants should be issued.