SOLDIER SHEEP FARMERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 90, 5 February 1947, Page 3

SOLDIER SHEEP FARMERS

TWENTY-SEVEN FARMS WORK OF REHABILITATION More than 28,000 acres of land, on which it is planned ultimately to settle 27 men, is the total area of undefined farm sections on four East Coast blocks, to be ballotted for early next month. The ballot is open to ex-servicemen of the recent war who have been graded ‘A’ for sheep farming (standard flocks) .in the East Coast district, states the Rehabilitation Department. Situated about 60 miles from Gisborne and 13 miles from Matawai, 9922 acres of this land is part of the Te Wera farm settlement. The block will be divided into seven sections, each of which, it is estimated, will carry from 1000 to 1200 ewes and from 200 to 250 cattle. Seven exservicemen can ultimately be settled on the property, but at present accommodation is available for one married and two single men. To be subdivided eventually into nine sections is part of the Waikoko small farm settlement, amounting to 6386 acres, and acquired from the estate of the" late Mr W. E. Harris. The property is about 22 miles from Gisborne, on the Gisborne-Tinoroto main road. It is considered that each section will carry from 850 to 1200 ewes and from 50 to 200 cattle. Although accommodation is meantime available for only three single men, nine men will ultimately be settled.- , Part of the Hiwinui small farm settlement, about 26 miles from Gisborne, on the Rere Road, are 7358 acres acquired from Taumata Investment Company. This block will be divided into seven sections, providing for the settlement of a similar number of men, but at the moment there is accommodation for only four single men. It is estimated that each section will carry from 850 to 1200 ewes and from 50 to 200 cattle.

On each of the five sections planned for the last block in the schedule the estimated carrying capacity is from 900 to 1200 ewes and fro*u 150 to 250 cattle. This block totals 4476 acres and is situated about 26 miles from Gisborne on the Hihiroroa Road. There is accommodation at the moment for one married and one single man, but five men will eventually be provided for on the block

Allotment of sections is meantime provisional; those who are successful in the ballots will .agree to work for wages on development wor.-v, upon the completion of which they will be offered a title. Ex-servic.e-men who wish to enter the ballots .'an obtain application forms from the Rehabilitation offices at Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier, Hastings, Dannevirke, Masterton and Waipukurau.