FEB. 25. THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 477

of about 9 acres improved on Section 9, these sections are unimproved, in rushes, manuka, flax, and raupo.
Section 10s: About 80 acres improved; 35 chains boundary-fence, 68 chains boundary-drains have been dug. The balance of this section is in rushes and manuka. A whare on road is to be shifted on to this section at selector’s expense.

IMPROVEMENTS.

The improvements not included in the capital value, but which have to be paid for separately by half-yearly instalments of interest and sinking fund are as follows:—
Section 5s: Three-roomed dwelling with lean-to and cow-shed, valued at £450, repayable in twenty-one years by forty-two half-yearly instalments of £17 11s. Total half-yearly payment under lease, £54.

The improvements included in the capital values of the sections are as follows:—
Section 1s: 198 chains of fences, drain-protective plantations, fenced plantation clump, two concrete troughs, valued at £560.
Section 2s: 109 chains fences, drain-protective plantations, concrete trough, valued at £300.
Section 4s: 76 chains fences, drain-protective plantations, valued at £200.
Section 5s: 158 chains fences, valued at £240.
Section 10s: 35 chains fences, valued at £70.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

The Orini Settlement, consisting of 928 acres, formerly the property of Mr. Richard Reynolds, is situated on the Rangitaiki and Feist Roads in the Whakatane County, about two miles and a half from Thornton, also about two miles and a half from new Rangitaiki Railway-station on the Main East Coast Railway; the Rangitaiki Butter-factory is situated about one mile from this settlement, access to all above being by good motor and dray roads. There is a good school at Thornton, also a post and telegraph station, which has a frequent mail service. This estate is all flat land having been originally all swamp, the soil pumiceous alluvial and peaty loam, consolidated where improved, and is generally of good quality. It is good pasture or cropping land when properly drained, being especially suitable for dairying. All the neighbouring farms show good pastures and crops, which is reliable evidence to indicate the capacity of this land when the drainage is more complete.

There has been a considerable amount of drains cut over this property both by the former owner and the Land Drainage Department. The drainage is in an advanced stage, and some of the sections require very little more to be completed. The dredge-cut drains are at present maintained by the Drainage Department. The Kahunui drain along north boundary of Sections 1 and 4, most of the drain along the Rangitaiki Road, and some subsidiary drains in Section 1 have been fenced and planted in blue-gums, which are now well grown. There is an annual drainage rate levied on this estate and collected by the Land Drainage Department, and successful applicants will be responsible for proportion of rates accruing after date of selection.

A considerable amount of fencing, mostly of a substantial nature, has been done on Sections 1 to 5 and most of the existing drains on these sections have been fenced, some on both sides. The Feist Road frontage to Section 10 is fenced. On Sections 6 and 9 there are no fences.

Water can be obtained all over this property by sinking, and is always present in the drains.

SECOND-CLASS LAND.

Matamata County.—Patetere North Survey District—Selwyn Settlement.

Sections lie from four to six miles north-east of Putaruru Township and railway-station, two miles and a half by metalled road, balance in course of formation.

Section 1.—Very broken country, about 200 acres mixed bush, containing some rimu and kahikatea, with thick undergrowth of ferns and supplejack. Light sandy soil of inferior quality, on sandstone formation; watered by small springs and lagoon. Altitude, 400 ft. to 1,000 ft.

Section 2.—Undulating to broken land in fern and tea-tree. Light sandy soil of inferior quality, resting on sandstone; watered by Waihou River across fishing reserve. Altitude, 400 ft. to 1,000 ft.

Section 3.—Very broken country, about 40 acres light bush; balance fern and tea-tree. Light sandy soil of inferior quality, on sandstone formation; watered by Waihou River across fishing reserve and by small springs. Altitude, 400 ft. to 1,000 ft.

Section 35, Block XV: Area, 179 acres 1 rood 8 perches. Capital value, £1,060. Renewable lease: Half-yearly rent, £26 10s.

The improvements which are not included in the capital value, and which have to be paid for separately, comprise two-roomed dwelling, shed, 53 chains boundary-fencing, and 67 chains internal fencing, valued at £112; to be paid for either in cash or on a cash deposit with an approved mortgage.

The improvements included in the capital value comprise artesian well, 77 chains boundary-fence, and 47 chains internal fence; valued at £345 14s.

Situated adjoining Lichfield Village, about four and a half miles from Putaruru Railway-station by good road; a railway-line owned by the Taupo Totara Timber Company (Limited) also passes the section. There is a school, also a post and telephone office in the village. The land is undulating with soil of a light pumice nature, and practically the whole of the section is capable of being ploughed. About 25 acres is in fair pasture, the balance being in tea-tree and fern. The section has no water-supply.

As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor-General, this 15th day of February, 1926.

O. HAWKEN, for Minister of Lands.

Opening Lands in Nelson Land District for Selection on Renewable Lease.

CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General.

IN pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities conferred on me by the Land Act, 1924, I, General Sir Charles Fergusson, Baronet, Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand, do hereby declare that the lands described in the Schedule hereto shall be open for selection on renewable lease on Tuesday, the thirteenth day of April, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six, at the rentals mentioned in the said Schedule; and I do also declare that the said lands shall be leased under and subject to the provisions of the said Act.

SCHEDULE.

NELSON LAND DISTRICT.—SECOND-CLASS LAND.

CROWN LAND.

Buller County.—Oparara Survey District.

SECTIONS 46 and 47, Block IX: Area, 130 acres 2 roods 38 perches; capital value, £65; half-yearly rent, £1 6s.

Situated north of the Karamea River on the Oparara Road, one mile and a half from post-office and butter-factory. Access from Market Cross, one mile and a half distant, by good metalled road. Comprises a flat terrace, 20 acres old clearing now in fern, balance worked-out bush. Soil of poor quality on gravel formation. Well watered. Altitude, 100 ft. to 140 ft. above sea-level.

Buller County.—Kawatiri Survey District.

Section 9, Block III: Area, 21 acres; capital value, £21; half-yearly rent, 8s. 5d.

Situated on the west side of the Buller River, opposite the Borough of Westport. Bounded on the west by a small creek, which is tidal for about half the distance. About ten acres of flat land covered with small birch, rimu, and scrub, balance steep terrace running out to pakihi. Flat is fair land, balance poor.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT.

Waimea County.—Gordon Survey District.

Section 4, Block VIII: Area, 430 acres; capital value, £215; half-yearly rent, £4 6s.

Situated at the head of 88 and Quail Valleys. Access from Wakefield or Belgrave nine miles and three-quarters and seven miles and a half distant respectively. Good road to within two miles, thence unformed road. All steep hillside, terminating on main range. Thirty acres open fern, balance bush. General quality poor. Altitude to 3,500 ft. above sea-level.

As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor-General, this 10th day of February, 1926.

RICH'D. F. BOLLARD, for Minister of Lands.