CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 326, 13 September 1932, Page 5

CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Our District Representative)

IN BAY OF PLENTY OFFER OF OPOTIKI BLOCK FOR PURPOSES OF SUB-DIVISION VERY SUITABLE AREA

(From

It is understood that the Government has declined the olfer for sub^division of approximately 100 acres in the Opotiki district, as recently outlined in the Morning Post. So I far as can be ascertained, no rea- ; sons have been given, and it is ex- | pected that further steps will be taken to emphasise the value of the offer. The property is said to be particularly well suited for the purposes of closer settlernent, and on the face of it, it is difficult to understand why the proposal has not been given consideration. The area in question embraces 1200 acres of flat rolling country, all easily ploughable, and a further 600 acres of hilly country which could :be grassed and used for running dry cows and stock during the winter. It is understood that the offer so far as it applies to the 600 acres, was optional, and could be accepted or rejected without affeeting the offer of the remaining area. The price asked, it is understood, was in the vicinity of £6 per acre for the 1200 acre block, and £5 per acre if the complete block ineluding the hill country, was taken. Adjoining these two sections, is a third smallar block, which is also open for subdivision, and it is understood, it could be acquired at the same average price as the two areas already mentioned. The total area of the three blocks would b:e in the vicinity of 1900 acres. Various Facilities There is a three mile road frontage, and there are in addition two surveyed roads through the property. The school and post office are only two miles distant, and the railhead at Taneatua is 11 miles away. Three dairy factories, the Arawa Proprietary, the Rangitaiki Co-operative, and the Opotiki Co-operative, are within reach, while cream lorries pass along the main road. Opotiki settlernent is 14 miles distant, and Whakatane 21 miles. Three houses and cowslieds are already erected on the property. which is well fenced at the present time, although naturally, considerable additional fenc.ing would be ' required if subdivision were undertaken. The land is good general farming country and six to eight families could be settled immediately, and commence milking a reasonable herd. The flat land, and a good proportion of the uridulating country, is already in good pasture, while the remainder, with the exception of the hills at the back, is partly broken in, and could be brought into production within a eomparatively shorfc period.