THE MANUKA ISLAND ESTATE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1036, 8 January 1892, Page 28

THE MANUKA ISLAND ESTATE.

From Clutha Leader, 25th December, 1891. The Manuka Island station is well-known as one of the earliest selections in this part of Otago, having been selected by tlie late Mr F. 8. Pillans over 30 years ago. The property consists of low undulating ridges to tho extent of 7900 acres, situated on the banks of tlie Clutha river some four or five miles up from Balclutha. With the exception of a few a-'res round the homestead, the entire estate is still in its virgin state, under the Native silver tussock. It has been continuously used as a sheep run since it was purchased from the Crown, and not only is the land in all its native richness, but co much has been added to its fertility by the'runring of sheep over it for 30 years. The property is undoubtedly one of the finest that has been placed on the market for some time ; nob only as regards the quality of the land, but also as regards the convenience of every part of it to road, railway, or river, on which the steamer Matau plies regularly. The capabilities of the soil may be understood when it is stated that the properly bounds with Messrs Begg Bros. Hillend estate on the upper side, where as much as 63 bushels of wheat to the acre have been grown, and with Mr R. Patersons’ well-known estate on the lower Dide —and the propert.yhas every appearance of being first-class wheat-growing country. The property, as already stated, consists of low terrace land, with very little broken laud—in some sections not more than 10 per cent of unploughable land. The roading of the property has been very conveniently provided for, and a little energy on the part of the settlers would result in the opening up for dray traffic of the saddle track from Balclutha up tho river bank to tho property. Tho difficulties to be met with in this are a mere nothing, and would add considerably to tho convenience of the property. The whole property is abundantly watered, and the different sections have been laid off with duo |j regard to this, as well as to matter of I fencing, in respect to which tho sections havo been laid off as squarely and compactly as possible. The sections range from 134 to 578 acres each, and, taken altogether, the Manuka Island station offers opportunities for men of moderate means acquiring a comfortable freehold that are seldom thrown open to the public. The estate is capable of providing a prosperous settlement, and may wo express the hope that the only necessity to effect this object may be gained at the sale—viz., that the property may fall into the hands of a lot of different people, bona fide settlers, and nob that one or two may buy up the bulk of it. The sale takes place at the Crown Hotel, Balclutha, on Friday, 22nd prox.