CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 29 July 1913, Page 5

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

' Dairy and intensive farming are gradually ousting the £heep and cattle iii the Manawatu, especially in the Otaki and Levin district, where farms thift were once entirely used for -sheep and cattle fattening are now subdivided into small farms, which supply Wellington with milk and-vegetables, and the Home country with butter and cheese. The soil in these two districts is eminently suited for the dairying industry, but is somewhat limited in quantity, as it consists of a comparatively narrow strip of land bounded on the east by the Tararua Ranges and the sea on the west. It is very handy to Wellington—probably the best market in the whole Dominion—for dairy produce, fruit and vegetables; also is within easy distance of the flourishing town of Palmerston North. Numerous dairy and cheese factories are in operation, and the climate, which is very similar to that enjoyed by sunny Nelson, cannot be surpassed in the Dominion. The result is that there is a keen demand for small farms, consequently most of the large estates have been cut up. The latest, estate to be subdivided is the wellknown "Pahiko" estate, comprising about 1600 acres of first-class land. It has been cut lip into 31 farms of convenient size and sJix 1-acre sections, which will bo offered for sale at Otaki on the 30th instant. This property is admirably situated, most of it having a frontage to the main county road, and is only a few minutes f-oin Otaki Raihvijv Station, butter an 1 cheese factories, and school. There is an excellent service of trains to and from Wellington, go that there is no lack of channels whereby the farmer can dispose of his produce. The terms of payment are reasonable, consequently there should be a keen demand fdr all the sections, especially as there are now so few large properties left suitable for subdivision.