WAIMATE PLAINS.

Patea Mail, 18 September 1880, Page 2

WAIMATE PLAINS.

People arc speculating as to the prices the Plains will fetch at auction. The deferred payment sections are too few and too small. Sixty acres will not support a family decently under present conditions as to markets. All the sections are cut up too small. Those ottered for immmmcdiatc payment will not attract a class of buyers who can settle on the land to work it. Each settler must secure at least two sections, more likely three, to enable him to work the land with stock. The sections arc too near the sea for grain-growing, though excellent for fattening stock all the year round. The result will be that the deferred payment selectors cannot work themselves into freeholds, and will not realise the legitimate fruits of industry in the next three years. After that, they will probably have a market for general produce opened at southern towns, Wellington and Christchurch;

but this depends' on completing the

through railway. It is an obligation lying on the Government that the population they arc now inducing to settle on the Plains shall have railway carriage to seaports without the loss of years. The West Coast line ought to be pieced up by contracts given out this year and next. Small sections cannot be profitably worked without general farming, and for this kind of produce the settlers must have railway carriage to the ports. If bidders could be assured of this at an early date, they might be expected to bid at the auctions from £7 to £lO an acre for both kinds of land. The demand for these sections will, we believe, be much greater than the present supply. Settlers will look hopefully at the unfinished railway, believing too readily that Governments always perform their promises. It is to be feared, on the other hand, that mere speculators will have the whip-hand of selectors, by “ picking the eyes ” out of the lots, and then persuading the small selector that he cannot make a living on his sixty acres, but must cither throw up his bargain or buy adjoining acres at a price which leaves him under obligation.