ELEVEN YEARS AGO, I purchased land on the west coast 10 miles south-east of Dargaville. It is rolling country with sandy soils of two types, one of good quality, and known as Red Hill sand, and the other, Te Kopuru sand, a sandy gumland with a pan beneath. The climate is generally mild, but very strong westerly winds carrying sea spray are a feature of the area, and the effects of dry summers are felt very quickly. The farm comprises 131 acres, and was purchased in two blocks, one of 85 acres and one of 46 acres. In 1956, I went on to the farm with 44 heifers of my own, and 5 cows and 20 yearlings I had purchased. The only other things I owned were a truck, a tractor 20 years old, and a mower.
