A PROMISING SOLDIER SETTLEMENT

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XVII, Issue 5649, 23 June 1919, Page 2

A PROMISING SOLDIER SETTLEMENT

IN REMOTE JJACOLOCKS. The Minister of Lands has received tho following very encouraging report regarding the South Waimarino Soldier Settlement, This settlement, comprising an area of 38,654 acres, is in the Betaruke and Whinnaki survey districts, the newest portion being 29£ miles from Baurimu and 32 miles from Raelihi by dray road. The country consists ot undulating and fairly sleep hills, all covered with virgin bush, none of which is of any commercial value. The formation is principally blue papa, with sandstone towards the tops of the range. The block lies between Betaruke Elver mouth and the Mangapu rua Stream, where it joins the Wanganui River, to which some of the settlers have frontages. The first sections of (he block were allotted in October, 1916, at which time there was no access by roads or tracks of any description. Now the majority of I the sections are provided with access by I horse track, which will be made into a cart read later when labour is available, I The total-area of 38,654 acres was divided 1 into 47 sections, of which 41, comprising I an area of 32,899 acres, heve been select* ed to date. Of the area selected 3260 acres have been felled, burned, and grass- j ed, and at present this land is carrying 3500 sheep, 70 head of cattle, and 56 ho-scs. Thirteen houses have been I erected. After the first half-year’s rent has been paid, exemption from payment of rent and rates has been granted for four years, *• The settlers as a whole are a fine body of experienced men,” concluded the , Minister, "and I feel confident that this settlement will be aa unqualified success." ;