LAND HOLDINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1923, Page 4

LAND HOLDINGS

SUAIE INTERESTING FIGURE!?.

The average area of occupied holdings of over one acre during the la-1 agricultural year was oil).-IA acres, the average for the Xortli Island being considerably smaller than for the Soul li. The land district averages are as follows: ' i Acres. North Auckland 221 Auckland 33!) Gisborne 9(17 Hawke's Bay 493 Taranaki . . . 291 Wellington 442 | Nelson , 839 | .Marlborough 1234 Westland 1299 Canterbury GIU Otago ....I ... ... 991 Southland ......... 7>o 1 Tile figures are of interest, the Government .Statistician -ays in a note as illustrating how land tends to be occupied in areas commensurate with the ability of the occupiers to work it. Auckland and Taranaki are dairying districts, while Gisborne is almost entirely gilcii over Lo sheep farming. Hawke’s Bav consists largely of slice]) grazing country in the nortli. the average area being modified by fruit-grow-ing in the centra! purl ion of the district, and dairying in the soul It. Wellington presents a combination of sheep grazing and dairving. Nelson i;-: nmiuiy given over Io fruit-growing, Marlborough, Otago, and .Southland being sheep-grazing and agricultural farming. Southland is also the mast important dairying portion of the South Island. Westland presents some interest as being at present Ihe leastd« veloped district of the Dominion, large areas of bush being used for grazing cattle, which, however, are tint verv numerous.