Runanga Falls Station.

NZ Truth, Issue 474, 18 July 1914, Page 2

Runanga Falls Station.

A Sheep and Cattle "Station. Portions for Sale to Small Men. A correspondent ("C.E.T.") sends an advertisement which invites buyers for blocks of land, ranging., from 20. to 320 acres m extent. Prices range .from 15s to £ 2 10s per acre, and the terras are exceptionally easy. Ten per cent, deposit, and a further fifteen per cent, equally divided over a period of six, nine, and twelve months following, making 25 per cent. m all. No interest is to . be charged on balance until two years -after purchase, when it will begin, arid be at the low rate of four per cent The country is 23 miles south of Taupo, and it is stated that the Taupo Timber Co. will extend its railway to Taupo within the next two years. All of this looks very alluring to the land hungry people of Chrlstchurch, and many of them are wondering if the spec is likely to turn out a good one. "Cambist" has been asked TO GIVE HIS OPINION about it, bat he must confess at once, that when he was last m the Taupo district there wore no stieep and cattle stations there. Such being the case, he would like to ask the vendor, Mr. G. W. Russell, M.P., what Is the total acreage of his Runanga Falls station, and how many sheep and cattle are depastured thereon? The cheapness, of . isolated land is nothing to guide a. wary and sensible buyer. The amount of stock it actually carries would give a better idea of its true worth. Some years ago the Government parted with enormous blocks of it at prices round about 2s 6d per acre, and a lot of Canterbury and Auckland land-grabbers or speculators took up huge blocks. The writer has read many rosy tales m the press of Auckland and Christchurch about the Taupo country, but the question seems to bo , CAN SMALL, PRACTICAL FARMERS BE INDUCED TO BUY? Out over these plains, which suffer the extremes of heat and cold, and are, for the most part, pumice lands, it is v possible to get things to grow, provided enough nitrogenous matter is added to the soil. But this can also be achieved with pure sand m a flower' pot at "home. It is .not suggested that such a broad-minded Liberal, as the gentleman who offers, tue land m the advertisement; is offering any poor land. Thero Is a possibility that he got the pick of the country, and took it up to sell to small men. just for the great love ho has for them. In the meantime, we would like to learn the number of stock he may have running upon his station. The more it carries the better will its qualities docome. And what prlco does the' wool fetch? Is the country freo from the dread sheep disease which is a puzzle to the Government vets, and which is so disastrous to the farmer? But why go further? Tho writer thinks that bis correspondent should TALK THE WHOLE MATTER OVER with Mr. G. W. Russell, M. P.. and ho may alao get somo experienced farmer to go with him to tho country which is offered for sale. Tho country is stated to be able to ' "grow oats, clovors, cocksfoot, rape and lucerne — anything." Well, it will pay to go and look at it, and see the growing crops. Lucerne country is well worth £100 per acre if situated near a good market, but taking Now Zealand as a whole, thero is very little lucerne grown. Most parts aro 100 cold for this crop, and the land is not suitable, but this need not debar tho land-seeker from seeing for himself. The latter course is better tlian "plans" and "reports," and, no doubt, it would plc.iso Mr. Russell, as a sound business man, If buyers will follow this a<tv»ce. It may also prove more satisfactory to the buyers.