THE OTEKAIKE ESTATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 23

THE OTEKAIKE ESTATE.

A RETROSPECT. In the course of his account of the dispersal sale at Otekaike, which commenced yesterday, our Oamaru correspondent says: — "The Otekaike Run was first owned by Mr J. P. Taylor, who was in possession as early as 1856. Later he dis- ' posed of the property and the flocke to ■Mr W. H. Dansey, under whom the numiber of sheep wae increased from some 5000 till, in 1864, there were over 12.000. In that year Mr Robert Campbell, who already owned Benmore and Galloway, purchased Otekaike from Mr Dansey, ajid ~ the carrying capacity was gradually infcreased until latterly nearly 40.090 sheep, in addition to cattle, were herded on the property. The freehold consists of 18,000 acres, together with 37,000 acres of pastoral runs and reserves. It was only a few months ago since the purchase of the estate by Government for settlement purpoees wasi announced, and the ballot took place a week ago. It is interesting to record here that adjoining Otekaike is a settlement known as Otiake. which was offered for selection under the Hon. Mr Rplleston's deferred-payment system. In that valley has grown up a number of homesteads, where a group of successful freeholders is able to reflect with pleasure on the provisions which, over 20 years ago, permitted them to acquire land in small areas. To the various largo estates which have of recent years been settled in North Otago under the lease-in-perpetuity system has now to be added One of v the rapidly -decreasing number. OAMARU, March 8. It is understood that Supreme Court proceedings will be instituted in connection ,with the refusal of the Minister of Lands to maintain the Otekaifeex preference of sections.