THE OMANA BLOCK.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1372, 24 February 1912, Page 23

THE OMANA BLOCK.

Having described above generally tho conditions of tho Northern country, wo will give some particulars of the block of land to be submitted to auction. Omana has always been considered by people conversant with the North, and particularly by stock-dealers, as the best block of land of its size North .of Auckland, for, as u rule, it is difficult to get iu the North n large area of land without a fair, amount of poor or waste land included. Omana, with the exception of a little medium to poor land on the i, front, is all first-class, either volcanic, limestone, sandstone, \ or river flat. Oil tho Wairoa front, and all along the back on tho Taurangca Kiver, are rich white pine or kakihatea flats, from which the timber has been removed. In the ceutro of tho block there are rich alluvial flats. A canal cut through the ceutro of these to float out timber, shows a depth of soil fifteen to twenty feot deep, with shingle at the bottom. Thoso flats aro as rich as any laud in tho Australasian Dominions—equal to the pick of tho Darling Downs, and being well and permanently watered, might be mado to yield exceptionally high returns. The flats have been, us far as possible, cut up with the other land, so as to give as many sections as possible some of this class. On the eastern side of tho valley the hill country and low downs are Very rich volcanic, almost black in colour, heavy and.greasy.. This is tho richest class of volcanic soil. Further along the country changes into limestone, and here one paddock is known as 'Die Sanatorium, so named becauso very poor stock turned on it soon recover condition and fatten. Still further along, sandstone country breaks in. This also is of the best. Many Northerners prefer the sandstone to any, other soil, because it is tho most oven throughout the year, never poaches in winter, and holds its moisture better in summer. What is called "sandstone" in tho North is a loam overlying sandstone rock or andcsite. On the western or middle side of the block tho land is either sandstone or volcanic. On the extreme western side tho land is all sandstone, very fine sheep country. Two of tho sections have been cut into rather large holdings to avoid any further road-making. These farms are suitable for either sheep and cattle, or can bo combined with dairying. Speaking generally, no such block of land as Omana has ever been offered to the public by auction, that is, as to qiinlity of soil, tho extent of improvements, unique situation, prospective value, and easy terms. Fully' three-fourths of tl'e land is laid down in the best English grasses, and selectors can start dairying or stocking right nway. Tho terms will ennble selectors to obtain actually just what they want. Tho title is freohold, there are no restrictions, and every pur-

chaser is free to do with his holding just what he pleases. He has a wide choice to choose from, and if he cannot find hero what ho wants he will bo a very difficult man to suit. The sections are all sizes, and will vary equally as to prices. Unlike going to look at Government land in some out-of-the-way cornel, and having to ballot for it with a huni dred-to-ono chance against you, here the . selector can choose just what he wants, secure tho freehold right out, without restriction, and on terms almost'as easy as the Government would want for a leasehold. Anything easier or better could not possiblv be offered to tho laiulseckcr. The land is of the best quality. The sheep land is easily 2J-shcep country, and the dairying land is up to a cow to the acre, on the flat, varying then according to quality from a cow to two acres to a cow to thieo acres. He is offered here:—

A choice of the very best land. In a perfect climate, free from drought, Hood, and winter. Free from rabbits awl noxious thistles. A freehold free of all restrictions. With only Fifteen per cent, to- put down in cash. With daily steamer, and railway undei construction. Certain prospective values in the centre of progress. Abundance of the best fencing mateiial. Cheap building timber.

To show how this district is going ahead, we may mention that during the last 12 months this firm has sold in that district over JMfIO.OOO worth of land, and mostly to very strong Southern buyers, as the following' names will show:—Messrs. Bowron and Smith, Christchurch; Mr. Robt. Chapman, late of Itangiora; Mr. C. Atkinson, Christchurch; Dr. Fox, Christchurch; Mr. Arthur Harding, Siberia, Hiiwke's Bay; Messrs. Maudison and Hutchinson, Canterbury; Messrs. S. and 11. Worsp, Raglan and Auckland; Mr. C. Arnold Jones, New Plymouth; Mr. Kohl. Allan, Christchurch, and others. From the day Mr. George Bnyly, • the stalwart Taranaki pioneer, took up the lino Te Kohuroa Block (C-100 acres) on the Wairoa, that district attracted attention. He was followed by another . Taranaki pioneer in Mr. George ltiddell, who took up Omana (10,000 acres)—this and Te Kohuroa being considered the two "classic" properties of the Northern district. Both were known as men of great judgment in land selection—men .who entered boldly into any venture they took up—oaptains of enterprise whose lead could be followed. From tbo day they "discovered" the Wniroa,. selectors and buyers have coino along in a continuous stream.