LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1247, 23 January 1896, Page 30

LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

The Lands Department are bringing- out an illustrated descriptive pamphlet with reference to the Opouriao Estate in the Bay of Plenty district, which was bought by the Government some time since, and. which has since been subdivided, and will be open for lease on perpetuity at Auckland on the 12th February. The estate contains 6504 acres, and is situated near Whakatane, from which township the nearest part of it is distant six miles, and the furthest 13 miles, up the Whakatane Valley. It is bounded on the east and south by the famous Urewera country. The communication with the township is by a w’ell-formed, perfectly level cart road, for the most part metalled ; bridges and culverts of a good class, and in good repair. The land is admirably adapted for maizegrowing, as has been amply proved by past experience, 40 to 80 bushels to the acre being no uncommon yield. This season’s crop, taken from a place not far from the station, gives 80 bushels. The property has been subdivided into 44 sections, ranging from 60 to 300 acres, besides 15 smaller ones, from 6 to 22 acres. A village, of half-acre and one acre sections, has been laid off in a central position near the junction of the Whakatane and Waimana Rivers, where three roads meet. Reserves for a school site and a recreation ground adjoining the township have also been provided. A road is being constructed by the Government from Rotorua via Te Teko to Whakatane, which, when completed will be of great service to settlers in this district, as they will then be enabled to drive stock to Rotorua overland, and thence to Waikato and Auckland by rail. Possession will be given on the 2nd March.