LAND FOR CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12721, 17 February 1910, Page 3

LAND FOR CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

[United Phes* Associ>.iion.] Ashburton, Feb. 16. The "Guardian" states that the Govenjinent, has purchased from Mr George Palmer the Ruapuna estate, containing .4431 acres' for close settlement purposes.' The land, which is about 20 miles from Ashburton, is well-known- for- its fertile qualities, as being fine grazing country, producing splendid crops of turnips, rape, and oats. It should therefore be capable of subdivision into nine farms of about. soo acres. eacn. The estate belonged, to the late Mr John Ballants'ne for many years. Ruapuna is the> only estate in the I Ashburton county acquired by the Government for closer settlement .purposes La. the last dozen years, the Highbank " estate, purchased about 1898;,. being the last.one. to be, dealt with in that way.

A special train, containing , 1.236 large cheese, worth £2500,an'd weighing 25 tons, was dispatched by. a single firm of i cheese factors at Broxten, Chester, .to, a, firm at Bradford for the Christmas. market.