1868

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

[No. 83

Rural Lands in the Wellington Land District open for Sale or Selection.

District Lands and Survey Office,
Wellington, 23rd September, 1898.

THE under-mentioned Crown lands will be opened for sale or selection, in terms of section 136 of “The Land Act, 1892,” either for cash, for occupation with right of purchase, or for lease in perpetuity, at the option of the selector, on and after Wednesday, the 7th day of December, 1898.

If more than one application be received for the same section on the same day, then the order of selection shall be decided by ballot on the following day, at 11 a.m.

SCHEDULE.

WELLINGTON LAND DISTRICT.—DANNEVIRKE CENTENNIAL BLOCK.

Second-class Land.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF LAND.

This block is situated generally on the slopes of the Three Kings Ranges, lying between the head-waters of the Waiowaka and Maraimanga Streams, and also the branches of the Pakowai Stream, about nine miles from Rakaunui, on the Alfredton—Weber Road, at its junction with the road from Pahiatua and Makuri. The area comprises generally hilly and undulating land, intersected by valleys with good flats on the principal streams; the gullies, however, merging into gorges in places. The block is fairly well watered by numerous streams, the smaller of which will probably be dry in summer. About three-fourths of the area is covered with light mixed forest, comprising matai, rimu, kahikatea, birch, tawa, rewa, &c., with a few totaras, and a mixed undergrowth of supplejack, rangiora, &c. The remaining fourth of the area is covered with manuka scrub, through portions of which the fire has passed, and grass has grown. The formation is papa, with patches of sandstone. The soil varies in quality from poor to good.

Rakaunui contains a store, post-office, and school, and is approached from Pahiatua and Makuri by thirty miles of dray-road, twenty-three of which is metalled, the balance being a good horse-road. The distance to Eketahuna is about the same, by a well-formed dray-road.

The elevation of the country ranges from about 400 ft. to 1,900 ft., and when cleared would be well adapted for pastoral pursuits. The climate is mild throughout the year, and inclined to be dry in summer.

DESCRIPTION OF SECTIONS.

Sections 2, 3, and 20, Block X., are situated on the Waiowaka Road. The access is from Rakaunui, which is about ten miles distant—viz., two miles of the Alfredton—Weber metalled road, and then by horse-track down the Huia, Waikereru, and Waiowaka Roads for seven miles. The section comprises hilly and broken land, with homestead-sites on the Waiowaka Road. The soil is clay, of a fair quality, resting on papa formation. The forest is light, comprising black-birch, matai, rimu, totara, kahikatea, kowhai, and tawa, with a light undergrowth of supplejack and small tawa. The section is well watered by the Waiowaka Stream. The elevation ranges from about 600 ft. to 1,300 ft. above sea-level. A considerable portion of the land has been burnt by bush-fires, and partly grassed.

Sections 29, 30, 19, 31, and 34, Block X., are situated on the King’s and Sugarloaf Roads. The access is from Rakaunui, which is about fifteen miles distant—viz., two miles by the Alfredton—Weber metalled road, and seven miles of formed horse-track down the Huia, Waiowaka, and Waikereru Roads, the remaining six miles, of Spur Road, being unformed. The sections comprise hilly land, with excellent homestead-sites on the King’s and Sugarloaf Roads. The soil is clay, of fairly good quality, resting on a papa formation. About half the area is under forest, which is light, and comprises matai, rimu, totara, with large patches of black-birch, with a light undergrowth of supplejack and karamea.