DEMAND FOR KING COUNTRY LAND.

Shannon News, 13 January 1928, Page 3

DEMAND FOR KING COUNTRY LAND.

A DISTINCT IMPROVEMENT. There .is a strong evidence that farming is finding favour once again as a profitable occupation, and in no part of the Dominion is this more apparent than throughout, the whole of the King Country (says the King Country Chronicle). A gentleman whose business takes him over the whole of this district informed a representative that there are now very few of those known as "abandoned" farms last year. Where there were small holdings, every one in the King Country has been taken up, and if some provision could be made to survey and subdivide the large areas, there is no doubt that these also would find occupiers. The informant mentioned the case of one holding of approximately 100 acres, which has not been in occupation for two years. This was, taken Over by a settler some two months ago. and since then he has had five enquiries as to whether he wished to sell. One man offered him £IOO on his bargain, but the purchaser refused to sell. Another property within eight miles of Te Kuiti which had been abandoned for three years, became covered with fern and other growth, but since it was again taken up two years ago is carrying 500 sheep and 140 head of' cattle, the present occupier shearing nine bales of wool and obtaining 350 lambs this season. In addition to this the occupier is milking 38 cows, and pasturing his herd on 40 acres which when he took over the property, was in a worse state than any other part of the farm. Another property, which, was re-occupied six months ago, is now carrying 200 sheep and 40 head of cattle/ This place is within 10 miles ol Te Kuiti. If these two men had the necessary capital, the first could double the carrying capacity of his farm, while the second could increase hi--more than five-fold. Boths farms are suitable for sub-division for dairj farms of 100 acres, and could support ten or a dozen families comfortably. Another indication of'the position is given by a land agent who statethat he has had five enquiries fo> tanning properties from outside. Then is a distinct- wave of optimism in regard to the farming industry, and ii ihis continues the King Country s-hould go ahead by leaps and bounds, for the opportunities are here for men who are willing to work.