LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20760, 31 December 1930, Page 7

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

LARGE AREAS NEAR ROTORUA

PREPARING FOR SUBDIVISION

GOOD PROGRESS BEING MADE-

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] ROTORUA, Tuesday.

Good progress is being made by the Department of Agriculture in preparing' land in Naakuru Block, No. 1, for settlement. The block is Crown land, and contains about 2000 acres. Operations were started a little over 12 months ago, the first work being to cut the scrub, survey for roading, and future subdivision, and erect fences.

Many acres have been ploughed, and over 500 acres laid down in grass. A satisfactory take is the result, and it is considered that in three months young stock shuould be turned on the grass. Many miles of fencing have been erectedThere is a. double ring fence, sheep-proof, round the block, with a shelter belt of pinus insignia and macrocarpa, and there are miles of subdividing fences. A roomy and convenient house for the manager has been erected, while the requisite outbuildings for machinery, and water has been laid on.

The terms of occupation have not yet been announced, but it is understood that it is the intention of the department to select men suitable for farming, giving preference to those who have been engaged in the development of the block. It is understood that a portion of land in cultivation, say, 50 acres, and about 100 acres unimproved will be arranged in each subdivision. There is a good deal of land not suitable for immediate occupation, and only the best is being dealt with at present. It is possible that instead of these blocks, not suitable for present occupation, being set apart as reserves, they will be passed over to settlers, who can use them for young and dry stock. If they are set apart as reserves, they will be breeding grounds for noxious weeds and pests. No. 2 Block, Naakuru, contains about 10,000 acres. Here the work has not been started. Many acres of scrub have been cut ready t? burn, the initial survey work ha 3 been done for roads, and a rough road with easy grades has been formed. There are about 50 men housed in tents, with a substantial cookhouse and mess room adjacent. This block contains some of the best of the land that is being developed by the Agricultural Department. There are extensive valleys and flats, which have Ibeen enriched from the surrounding hills, the Whirinaki stream runs through this block, and it is well watered. In this block it is intended to plough and sow in grass about 4000 acres and subdivide it so that each settler will have twice the area of unimproved land to his holding of ploughed land in grass. By this means the occupier of the sections will be able to maintain themselves and gradually bring the unimproved portions of their holding under cultivation. Of the 10,000 acres it is estimated that 75 per cent, is ploughable, and practically free from noxious weeds. It is the intention of the department that all the roads will be of a permanent character. There has been discovered in the Taakunanautara Stream, at the 16-inile peg, on the main road, a supply of good river shingle sufficient to meet the needs for the whole of the district, a plant has been erected on the banks of the stream and is now in operation. The metal has been spread on the main road and proving very suitable for the purpose. Between Guthrie and Wiataupo there is between 30,000 and 40,000 acres of very fine country similar to the land which is now being opened up by the Government. This country is well watered and is free from cattle sickness. It is between 15 and 20 miles from Rotorua, and is served by good main roads, only needing access roads.

THE CITY MARKETS.

YESTERDAY'S AUCTIONS

HEAVY SUPPLIES OF TOMATOES

Ample supplies of local seasonal fruits came forward to the City Markets yesterday, and met with a steady demand, although prices in several instances showed an easing tendency. Heavy supplies of strawberries sold freely on recent lower pi;ice levels. Large quantities of tomatoes also came forward. Plums sold at lower prices. Ripe bananas were in rather short supply. Lemons met a slightly firmer market. Peaches sold at from 4s to 12s 6d a case.

Stocks of imported fruits promise to be rather light over the next fortnight. The Marama from Sydney to-day will bring a small consignment of cherries and a failshipment of apricots and oranges. There will be another small, Sydney shipment next week. The Maui Pomare is due at Lyttelton on Tuesday and should reach Auckland the following Monday with a small consignment of Samoan bananas. In the field and garden produce section heavy supplies of potatoes, green peas and French beans continue to come forward. They meet a fair demand. Heavy supplies of eggs and a slackened demand resulted in a decline in the price. Prices in the City Markets yesterday ranged as follows: FRUIT. Strawberries. Captain Cook. lOd to Is 3d ft chip; Margeurite, 7Jd to lid; Helenslea Surprise, BJd to lOJd: apricots, local, 5s to Rb a case: oranges, Valencias. 14s to 21s a case; pines, Fiji repacks. 13s to 15s a case; tomatoes, No. l's, half-ripes, 7{d to S)d ft lb.; No. 1, ripes. 5d to 7d: medium and small, 3d to 4}d; outdoor, 2d to 6d; plums, cherry, 2s Gd to 5s a case; Sharp's Early, 4s to 6s; red dessert, 3s to 8s; Evan's Early, 4s to ss; cooking. Is to 2s 6d; red currants, 10s to lis a case; black currants. 12s to 13s n case; peaches, choice coloured, up to 12s fid a case; others. 4s to 8s; lemens, choice, cured, 10s to 13s a. case: others, tree ripe. 5s to 8s : grapes, local hot house. Is lOd to 2s fid a. Ih.; apples, Stunners. 7s to 10s a cr.se: Canadian Jonathan, 17s; Canadian Winesap, 'l7s to 17s Cd: Canadian Delicious. 17s to 17s Gd; Canadian Newtown Pippin, 15s to lfis; Gooseberries, 4s fid to fis a case; Canadian Jonathan. 17s; Canadian repacked, ripe, choice, firm, 28s to 30:s a caeo; mediums, 21s to 245; No. 2's, 15i> to 19s.

VEGETABLES. Potatoes, now. 2s fid to 4s a bag: onions, local, 5s 6d to 7s 6d a bag; kumaras, Tauranga, 12s to 14s n curt.; cabbage, 2s <sd to 5s a sack; cauliflower. 6s to 15s a suck; swedea, 4s to 6s a bag; pumpkins, new season's. 9<J to Is 6d each; green pens, 4s 6d to 6s 6d a bag; beans, French. 2Jd to SJd a lb.; broad beans, 2s 6d to 4s a bag; lettuce. Is to 4s 6d a case; cucumbers, hothouse. 2s fid to 4s a dozen; outdoor, 2s 6d to Cs; vegetable mn*rov?s, 2? to 5 3 6d a donen; water melons. Is Gd to 2s 6d ench: CRbbage, on benches, Is 6d to 2a 6d a dozen; cauliflower, on benches, 3s to 6s a doren; celery- 2s to 3s a bundle; rhubarb. Is 6d to Sa a dozen; spinach. a dozen; radish. Is to Is fid a dozen: spring onions, 3d to la a bundle- carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips. Is to 2s a dozen.

DAIRY PRODUCE. Hen eggs, special grade, Is 5d a dozen: A grade, la 4d a dozen; B grade. Is 3d a dozen; C grade, Is 2d a dozen; duck eggs, special grade, Is 5d a dozen; A grade, la 4d a dozen: B grade, la 3d a dozen; C' grade. Is 2d a dozen; ■ farmers' butter! BJd to 10}U a lb.