LAND SETTLEMENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 251, 31 July 1940, Page 8

LAND SETTLEMENT

INQUIRIES ABOUT BIG ESTATES

DTSAPPOINTING RESULTS

(Special to the “Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, July 30

The results of land purchase operations for closer settlement purposes cairiod out during the year ended March 31 last are reviewed in the annual report on the Land for Settlements Act, 1925/ The report states that in June, 1939, extensive inquiries wore begun in all districts as to the possibility of extending closer settlement by the acquisition of largo estates for subdivisional purposes, and ihe laet that the results from this complete investigation were disappointing was duo entirely to circumstances beyond the Land Purchase Board’s control. “Most of the suitable properties that came under review,” states the report, “were not available for sale, and were being farmed in a manner which could not be criticised and which, therefore, left no grounds for compulsory acquisition. The estates actually placed under offer were, generally speaking, clearly unsuitable for purchase and subdivision ; but there were some exceptions, and in respect of these good progress was made in negotiations with tlie owners.”

The report states that although it was not possible actually to complete any purchases during the year, the board had contracted at March 31 to buy suitable properties in the Auckland district. These were the Matanuku Downs estate, of 1710 acres, situated two miles from the Tokoroa township and factory, and 12 miles from Putaruru, and the Strathmore estate, of 9836 acres, located about 28 miles from Rotorua, and one mile from Reporoa township. Negotiations in Canterbury. “The Dominion Land Purchase Board has been negotiating for the purchase of several areas which will he within the region irrigated under the ValettaTinwald scheme to he undertaken after the Rangitata diversion scheme is finished,” says the annual report presented to-day in the House. “No actual purchases were made within the financial year under review.” Four estates in the Canterbury land district on which developmental work is being carried out are reported on. The revenue from the Ashton block, of 703 acres, in the Ashburton County, on which £4833 has been spent to date, was £1648. About three-quarters of the area is not considered to he fully developed ; but last year’s operations were somewhat disappointing, as a result of the dry season. Although the Rrinklands estate, of 1143 acres, in the Fairlie district, was purchased by the department in 1929, it was only brought under the direct control of the development board during the year, and the revenue was £5481. The expenditure to date has been £BBBB. Development work on the McKenzie estate, of 199 acres, near Geraldine, war. confined chiefly to draining. The properly was now in fair order, and increased returns were shown from dairying, in which this block is mainly engaged. The revenue was £IOO4, and the total expenditure since the property was acquired reaches £2813. A portion of the Tripp Settlement was brought under control of the hoard. The total area concerned at present was approximately 490 acres, and comprised mostly abandoned holdings. r ! he pro-j pertv required general rehabilitation, and as .yet it had not been possible to establish a flock. “It will take years for the Moleswortli and Tarndale properties, of 249,300 acres, to recover fully,” says the report, “but it is considered that with judicious management and stocking rehabilitation will eventually he effected.”