IMPORTANT LAND SALE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3118, 8 February 1871, Page 2

IMPORTANT LAND SALE.

[From Oub Own Correspondent.] Marion, Feb. 7. For some weeks past a survey has been going on, by Mr J. Knowles, of a block of between 2000 and 30U0 acres of land, about two miles from Marton, belonging to the Hon. W. Fox, for the purpose of selling it in eighty acre farms on terms of deferred payment suitable to. working men, many of < whom in this district, sons of old settlers and others, have found themselves unable to obtain a bit of land for themselves. The terms were reasonable — £3 each acre, payable at the end of seven years, without interest for the two first yf-ars, and at 8 per cent, afterwerds. The acceptance of applications took place at the Murtbn Hall on Friday last, when nearly the whole of the allotments were taken up by abe-bodied settlers, who, before a year is out, will, we hope, have twenty or thirty chimneys snioking on the fine tract of wheat growing country they have purchased on such favorable terms.

It may be remarked that the toitoi land of this district is proving itself first rate for all sorts of crops, and particularly cereals. It requires more labor to bring under the plough than the boasted plains of Patea or Waimate, simply because the strong soil is clothed with exuberant natural vegetation. It requires more working for a first crop ; but, when once got into order, there ia none superior to it in the colony. The tine crops now being " machined" on York Farm (Mr K. Hammond's), on Paraoiatta (a part of Mr Fox's farm), and on numerous other farms all rorind Alarton, prove that no better land exists anywhere, and that reasonable agricultural skill and attention is all that is necessary to make the strong soil of llangitikei do its duty. If the farmer cannot exactly make it smile by v tickling it with a hoe," he can make it laugh loud and long by digging his ploughshare deep into its furrows ; and, wtigrf the lighter soil of other districts shift be worn out, the JVlarton country/will still be in its prime. The more than three-quarters of a million acres of arable land that lie between Wanganui and AJanawatu wilL carry as large and .aa thriving a population as the iarne acres: in any country we know. „■;.;., I have omitted to mention : c tlie,.yil« '

lage township of Crofton, which Mr Fox has laid off in the middle of the block referred to. It is divided into quarter acres, and intended to locate such mechanics and tradesmen as may be attracted by the farming population on the surrounding small farms. Its peculiarity, however, is that tho proprietior has attempted to make it an example of the advantages of the total abstinence principles, of which he is the advocate. A number of the sections are to be leased for 999 years at a peppercorn rent, on the one condition that no alcoholic liqnors are ever sold on the premises. The remainder, after Ist January, 1802, will be sold, 1 -abject to the same conditions, and the proceeds applied to the improvement of the village, probably by the erection of a school and hall, or other useful institution. Another feature, which I have not observed in any similar township in New Zealand, is a reserve for a cemetery, and another for a public garden, both calculated to add at a future day to its utility and ornament. Whether the attempt will succeed which Mr jox is making to afford the working men and small fanners the opportunity to j go to the store and the post-office without the temptation of passing two or three public.houses, remains to bo tested by experience ; but everyone must wish it success who witnesses the scenes which too often present themselve in the village townships elsewhere. The banks of the Tutaenui will no doubt before many years present a continuous line of pretty homesteads, and proba bly as many as three or four villages between Mr Mcßeth's and Bull's. The rapid growth of Mart >n during the last three or four years has given it a start which it will probably maintain, but there is room for more, and may success attend them to come.