LAND DEVELOPMENT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 52, Issue 3756, 15 May 1936, Page 7

LAND DEVELOPMENT

CONTINUED PROGRESS OF WAIKATO SOCIETY.

A line of about fifty four-year-old Polled Angus bullocks, just about ready for market, was much admired on the Wiaikato Land Settlement Society’s farm at Wharepapa during an inspection visit to the property this week. Some of these cattle have already been sold to a Hamilton butener, and the rest will probably go overseas as prime chilled beef. They are striking evidence of the fattening qualities of the Wharepapa farm, and also of the big improvements effected there since the Society took possession.

The Wharepapa block comprises over 3,600 acres, of which 1000 acres are in grass or crops. About 2000 acres are in turnips. There are 123 cattle and 2414 sheep on the settlement, the rheep including 2025 breeding ewes. There is abundant feed for the stock, which are in splendid condition. A considerable portion of the pasture has been renovated with surface sowing, and there is any amount of feed.

There are 407 cattle on the Kairangi block at Roto-o-Rangi, including 232 steers, and over 2000 sheep. At Karakariki, near Whatawhata, there are over 244 cattle and 1053 sheep on the Society’s land. There are also a number of horses on each settlement block. Seventeen families are settled on

the Wharepapa block, and the present good appearance of the land is ample evidence of the hard work they have put into their holdings, and is an indication that the settlers feel that the work is worth while. They are housed in neat and comfortable cottages, and it is hoped to have a social hall and school erected in the near future. The block is well watered from a stream which runs through the property. A reservoir built on a high position provides water for various poims of the farm, a considerable fall giving the necessary pressure.

There are 23 families at the Kairangi settlement and 24 families at Karakariki, so that with the 17 families at Wharepapa the Society has provided homes for 64 families, and given them all a much brighter outlook on life.

Considering the short time the land has been in cultivation remarkable progress has been made, and the present satisfactory position inspires confidence for the future of the scheme.