GALATEA ESTATE

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 122, 18 May 1932, Page 6

GALATEA ESTATE

OPERATIONS CEASE WORKERS DTSCHAPtG-ED AUCKLAND, May 16. The Rotorua correspondent of the "Star” asserts that development operations on the Galatea estate, which -was purchased by the Government for subdivision, and was intended for the settlement of 200 families, has ceased, and possibly will not be resumed for three to five years. Fencers, scrub cutters, navvies ami cultivators have all been discharged and there are now only about five men on the whole job. Shortage of money has no doubt largely been responsible for the cessation of the work, but it is suggested that there are other causes. The area of the Galatea estate is 22,325 acres. It was purchased from Mr H. E. Troutbeck, for £78,137 10s. an average of £3 10s an acre. In addition roads and bridges have cost £50,000 scrub cutting £2OOO, fencing £4500, making a total outlay of £134,637. This capital investment apparently is to remain practically unproductive. True, there are 7500 sheep and 700 cattle on the place, but this is a paradoxical situation when it is remembered that the station was taken for closer settlement and that w r hcn in one big run it carried 18,000 sheep, 50 horses and 1500 head of cattle.

Approximately there have been eighteen to twenty miles of fencing laid out —that is, carried out and laid along the lines ready for- erection, at a cost of Is per chain. This is all being lifted again at a cost of another Is a chain. When the Government decides to resume the job the material will have to be paid out once more at the cost of still another shilling a chain.