SUNDAY ISLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 128, 12 March 1931, Page 6

SUNDAY ISLAND.

% , y ROSS SCHEME FOR SETTLEMENT.

NO GOVERNMENT CONCERN. f ________ 41 (Per Press Association). -1 • WELLINGTON, March 11. •i. The Minister of Lands, in an interview to-day, stated! that he had received quite a number of letters asking for information in regard to the scheme of Or, Ross, of Brisbane, for the settlement of 12 or 14 families on *275 acres of Sunday Island. . “The Government,” said Mr Ransom, “has nothing to do with the 'scheme, nor is it under the aegis of the Government. Dr. Ross has purchased rtho. freehold of 275 acres out of a. total ' area of about- 7220 acres, and, is of ... course, free to develop the property in liis own way ; but his operations must "be confined to his own area, as no other part of the island is available for -occupation.” , After describing conditions on Sunday Island, as revealed by GovernTment reports, Mr .Ransom concluded! by saying the liistory of former attempts to settle the island did not “make good reading, and intending -settlers should take into consideration the rugged nature fof the island, the -liability to. cyclones and earthquakes, Jand, above all. the means of transport. It must be distinctly understood that . the Government was not fostering the scheme, and could, not be expected to 'provide or assist a steamer service.