Marton Small Farm Association.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 123, 29 April 1885, Page 2

Marton Small Farm Association.

A meeting of the committee of the Marton Small Farm Association was held on Monday to discuss the report supplied by Mr A. H. Murray as to the block salectedby the association — viz., The Pohangina East Block. The report was as follows : — This block, consisting of from eight to ten thousand acres, is situated about six miles from Ashurst by road, and joins the famous Manchester Block, the Pohangina river separating it from the Wanganui Harbor Board Block. This block will have a frontage on the Pohangina river of about eight miles, with an average width of about two miles. Most of the river frontage consists of fine alluvial flats, varying in width from twenty chains- to one mile ; these flats are mostly covered with very light timber, and the soil is known to be of the richest kind, being suitable for the growth of tobacco, hops, etc. Behind these flats is a terrace, about 150ft. in height, on which are some flats of considerable extent, clothed with mixed timber; the soil on these flats is equal to that of the Fern Flats, of Rangitikei, or rather better, because the Pohangina land is only about 400ft. to 500ft. above the sea level, so that the frost will not be so severe on the grape-vine or other tender plants, as it would be on lands of greater elevation. There are, however, a few sections more or less broken, and some others that show gravel near the surface, but not to any extent ; the timber on portions of this land is of great value, there being patches of good totara, mixed with nmu and other woods which would keep a sawmill at work for many years, there being totara enough, without other timber, for that purpose. When the line of railway is completed through the Manawatu Gorge there will be a station at Ashurst, so that this valuable totara timber will be within seven miles of a railway. Having thoroughly examined the block, I have sketched on the plan of the Pohangina Block the portion that I consider suitable for your association. I have reduced the area to about 8,900 acres, which will comprise only suitable land, and is, I consider, the finest block obtainable. The Buahine ranges, rising from this block, are reported to contain valuable minerals, specimens of which have been found.