ARAPAEPAE ESTATE.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 27 October 1917, Page 3

ARAPAEPAE ESTATE.

One of the most important land Sales announced for some itime is that by jwhich a portion of the J. R. McDonald estate is lio bo offered to public auction by Dalgoty and Co., Ltd., in conjunction with Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., in the Levin Town iHiall, on Wednesday, October 31.

The Arapaepae Estate, which is to be sold in three large holdings, comprises tin all 2553 acres of ideal sheep and cattle country. It lies about midway between Levin and Shannon, across the low ridge which acts as the ad vance guiaird of the Tararua ranges. On ■both sides of this ridge (the land slopes awiay east and west in easy gradients and there are valuable flats offering opportunity for shelter and fattening. In situation Arapaepae has advantages nof: always possessed by oountry given over to stock raising. The Koputaroa railway station, with all necesbary truclking facilities, is only two and a half miles from the homestead pites on the western slopes of the ridge, land the Arapaepae creamery, post office, and school are within 1a couple of miles. The main road from Wellington to Palmereton North also runs wifthin two miles of the estate.

Due care has been taken in subdividing to provide the varieties of land necessary for the raising of prinre mutton and beef, and on all three holdings there is a nice proportion of flat stretches, making ideal topping-off country after the stamina has been put into the stock on the hillsides. Just now these splendid stretches of valley are sights that would gladden any stock.raiser's heart. Protected from the keen .winter winds, there cb never a shortage of feed, and hero the stock is always making beef and mutton:, even in the coldest weather. The pasture is firm and surprisingly thick, bcfijhi in the protected valleys and on the spurs. Heavy mill, ing bush onoe covered the whole pro-pea-ty, showing the rich quality of the land, and it is not surprising, therefore, to find that there is a superabundance of (grass, even on tihie most exposed 'hilltops. All three holdings are well watered, streams, spring fed and consequently never d'ry, spreading over every piart of the estate. Extensive fencing has been carried out, and there is ample material on J the property for erecting any further fences thait may be required. Bush has been reserved here and there for shelter purposes.

Of the three lots No. 1 is on the western slopes of the ridge and haß as a frontage a magnificent stretch of flat: land l making an ideal fattening area, and a beautiful homestead site hacked by tins hills and overlooking the (countryside, which falls laway ipfrmtily towards the sea. No finer nor more healthy locality could be found in tihe province. A weJl-metallied road runs to within a hundred yards of this hold, ing and l tihe creamery and post office ate only albout a -mile away. On the southern boundary of this sectbion. is [Lot 2, the largest of the three 'areas, comprising ia thousand acres and: containing a. 'great diversify of land all capable of producing profit. The most notable feature here is the beautiful valley ■known as Whare Flat, running east from the a full mile in length and p'rotectbed on all four sides from tihe winds of winter. Feed and wiater always abound, and the fattening conditions here are ideal. This holding also has access to the Main Trunk line via the Wallace road which junctions wii'ih the road from Wellington aA the Ara.paepae creamery. The home, stead site, which also is on the western side of the ridge, like that on Lot 1 the protecting hills behind. Hie 'tjhird lot is situiated on the eastern slopes of the ridge and nestles snugly between the ridge and the Tararua ranges. Its outlet is by the Gladstone .road, whidhi joins the Queen street extension from Levin. Perhaps the rich. «st part of the estate, but as yeji the least developed, it affords splendid pro. spects for successful sheep-raising. The pastures aire new and luscious and. water is 'albundant everywhere. Fencing is in a forward state and there are thousands of feet of superb fencing timbers lying tendy.