ADVANCE of SETTLEMENT on PETETERE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1745, 11 September 1883, Page 2

ADV ANCE of SETTLEMENT on PETETERE.

I It is very pleasing t^jnotice that' settlement of a very practical character is daily progressing ik the Patetere a country, particularly^'in /the vicinity of Liohfield. Several businesses .have already tieen established in' the toM'iiship, and those who have gone thither express themselves very well satisfied with the prospects of J the place. Several enterprising settlers who recently came" up from v the have established^themselves on the block, and are now cultivating their holdings, which they have secured from Mr Halco»nbe on special terms. These terms arc that the occupiers plough and cultivate the land, giving \Mr Halcombe half the produce. These terms, we think, are very favourable, and should be the means of inducing others to take up land on the block under the same system. There is at the present time a splendid opening for some enterprising persons to take up small holdings near Lichfield and cultivate them, growing crops of potatoes and hay for the use of the settlers, who will otherwise have to send to Cambridge for supplies for some time to come. A ton of potatoes landed at Lichfield would cost about £7, and this would mean a very expensive luxury to all who would be obliged to buy them. Practical men who have examined the soil about Lichfield say that with a fair quantity of bonedust the land in the vicinity would grow a good average crop of potatoes, and there being a good market immediately at hand, and. the certainty of a high price, the producer would be well compensated for his enterprise. We might state that on the Okoroire estate, which immediately adjoins Patetere, last year excellent crops of hay were raised. Though the auction sale of the suburban and rural lands and township allotments will not take place until the railway is fairly underway, the Company, by way of encouraging the settlement of tradesmen and others in the township, and on subui ban lands, is willing to dis pose of a fi'w holdings at reasonable rates, so long as the purchaser does not buy the land for purely speculative purposes. It is a matter of great surprise that a nursery has not as yet been established on the block, considering the prospect of immediate settlement, and the demand for all kinds of plants, trpes and shrubs, which must necessarily arise. We have been given to understand that a butcher, a blacksmith, and a baker will shortly open business at Lichfield. Before long Pdtetcie promises to be one of the most flouiishing settlements in the colony.