90

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

[No. 1

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Hillersden Settlement, formerly the property of Mr. Thomas Carter, is situated in the Wairau and Waihopai Valleys, about twenty-five miles westward (or inland) from the Town of Blenheim, and extending along those valleys from ten to eleven miles. The main Wairau Valley Road, Blenheim to Tophouse and the Buller, traverses the northern portion of the settlement, and all sections in this part of the estate front on to this road, which is level, well-formed, and metalled throughout. Access to the southern part of the settlement lying in the Waihopai Valley is obtained by the Waihopai Valley Road, which is a good serviceable trap and wagon road from Blenheim, passable at all times of the year, and now being shortened and improved by the Road Board.

The settlement lies at an altitude above sea-level varying from 580 ft. on the flats up to 4,500 ft. on the higher parts or range tops, and comprises all classes of country, from rich agricultural land to high and broken sheep country, as set out in the detailed description of the various subdivisions. It has the reputation of being very healthy sheep country, and where cultivation has been carried out grows good average crops of oats and roots. The climate is dry and extremely healthy. There are occasional snowfalls in the winter, but the snow does not remain long on the ground. With the exception of the cultivated lands, which are mostly in English grasses and certain parts surface sown, the country generally is in its native state, the vegetation being mainly tussock and other native grasses, with a good deal of flax in the lower country; but there are areas of fern and scrub, also bush in the immediate vicinity of the streams and shaded slopes on the higher land. Speaking generally, the country is well adapted for sheep-raising, and the wool clip has been uniformly good and for many years past has realized amongst the top prices.

The area to be opened for application contains roundly 79,000 acres, divided into forty-three allotments, varying in area from 86½ to 9,900 acres. Each section has a good homestead site and frontage to a metalled or formed road, and their boundaries in many cases have been made coterminous with existing fences, or, where this was not possible, good fencing spurs and ridges have been adopted in all cases for the boundaries.

Amongst the improvements on the estate are the homesteads and buildings at “Hillersden,” “Wantwood,” “The Flaxmill,” “Stronvar,” and “Te Arowhenua.” At the main homestead of “Hillersden” a number of buildings, including large men’s quarters, barn, stables, loose-boxes, carpenter’s shop, implement-shed, store, and various others will be submitted to auction on the ground at the same date as the station sale of stock and implements. All of these buildings are suitable for removal and re-erection, and the attention of selectors and others is drawn to this opportunity of obtaining right on the spot cheap and suitable dwellings, huts, stables, &c., for re-erection on their various allotments.

A guide will be available at Hillersden Homestead to show intending selectors over the land and point out the boundaries of the various subdivisions.

Possession to incoming lessees will be given as from the 1st April, 1914.

Full particulars may be ascertained and plans obtained at this office.

W. H. SKINNER,
Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Pastoral Runs in Canterbury Land District for Lease by Public Auction.

District Lands and Survey Office,
Christchurch, 14th January, 1914.

NOTICE is hereby given that the undermentioned pastoral runs will be offered for lease by public auction at this office on Friday, 27th February, 1914, under the provisions of the Land Act, 1908.

SCHEDULE.

CANTERBURY LAND DISTRICT.—CLASS A.

• About 1,000 chains of fencing and two huts go with the run.

DESCRIPTION OF RUNS.

Run 106. Situated about twelve miles from Mount Somers Railway-station, up the southern branch of the Hinds River. High pastoral country; the slopes are good tussock land.

Run 107. Situated about seven miles from Mount Somers Railway-station. High pastoral country, running up to 4,500 ft. above sea-level.

Run 243. Altitude from 2,500 ft. to 6,300 ft. above sea-level. Rough pastoral country; situated near Ashwick Settlement, at the headwaters of Edwards Creek and Sawdon Stream. Access can be given if necessary up Sawdon Stream or through Tekapo Run.

Full particulars may be ascertained and plans obtained at this office.

C. R. POLLEN,
Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Lands in Spotswood Settlement, Taranaki Land District, for Sale by Public Auction.

District Lands and Survey Office,
New Plymouth, 14th January, 1914.

NOTICE is hereby given that the undermentioned lands will be offered for sale by public auction on deferred payments at this office on Tuesday, 17th March, 1914, under the provisions of the Land Act, 1908, and amendments, and the Land for Settlements Act, 1908.

SCHEDULE.

TARANAKI LAND DISTRICT.—TARANAKI COUNTY.—PARITUTU SURVEY DISTRICT.—SPOTSWOOD SETTLEMENT.

First-class Land.

LOCALITY AND DESCRIPTION.

These sections are situated in the northern part of the Spotswood Settlement, about two miles and a half from New Plymouth, and half to three-quarters of a mile from the Breakwater (Port of New Plymouth). Sections 30 and 34 comprise gently rising and undulating land, about three-quarters being in old grass, the remainder at the back being in furze and lupin. Sections 31 and 32 comprise easy slopes on the immediate frontages, falling somewhat steeply to the Hongihongi Stream; all in grass. Section 33 is fairly flat on frontage, rises slightly to the south-east, and then falls steeply to the Hongihongi Stream; all in grass. About two-thirds of Section 37 towards the front is gently rising land in oat stubble and coarse grass, the remainder being furze and fern intermixed with grass, &c. Sections 101 and 102 comprise broken sloping land, in rough grass, fern, and scattered furze. Sections 27 and 107 consist of somewhat steeply falling rough grass land, with fern and lupin; about half the frontage of Section 107 is flat. The soil of the sections is generally good, being generally a sandy loam on a kind of free-clay formation.

Full particulars may be ascertained and plans obtained at this office.

G. H. BULLARD,
Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Small Grazing-runs in Hawke’s Bay Land District for Lease.

District Lands and Survey Office,
Napier, 14th January, 1914.

NOTICE is hereby given that the undermentioned small grazing-runs are open for lease under the provisions of the Land Act, 1908; and applications will be received at this office up to 4 o’clock p.m., on Thursday, 2nd April, 1914,