LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 285, 1 December 1902, Page 6

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

BLOCKS OPEN FOR SELECTION.

SPECIAL SETTLEMENT FOR

TROOPEES

WELLINGTON, this day

With reference to correspondence which has passed between the Premier and Mr. YVitlieford, M.H.E., it will be remembered that a deputation oi returned troopers, introduced by Mr. Witheford, waited on the Government on the 2i)th September last, and urged that special facilities should be afforded them to obtain ]and. The matter was considered by the Government, who forthwith decided to set apart a special block of Crown land in the Auckland district for that vmrpoae. Since then some 8000 acres have been surve3 r ed into 36 sections, ranging from 100 to 310 acres each, and the ballot for choice of selection can take place immediately the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, has ascertained what applicants are eligible., These sections are good limestone land, mostly open, with patches of mixed bush and some grass, and are well adapted for grazing and dairying , purposes. With regard to settlement generally, and the unfulfilled demand which the Premier is so urgent in his endeavour to satisfy, there are in the Auckland land district at the present time, aeordiug , to the Land Guide, the following surveyed Grown lands open for selection on the optional system o.f the Land Act: 85 J sections ol ! an area of 370,000 acres. This area is divided into 2SI sectiotiw containing , less than 50 acres; 239 sections between 50 and. 100 acres eaich; S7 sections between 101 and 150 acres; 03 sections ibeitween 151 and 200 acres; 77 sections between 201 and 300 acres; ,59 sections between 301 and 500 acres-; 50 sections containing 500 acres and over. In the three other land districts of the North Island, viz., Taranaki, Hawkf's Bay, and Wellington, there are 150,000 acres of surveyed lands advertised in the Land Guide as open for selection and awaits application on the same choice of tenure. Other lands are also under survey in this district for the purpose of settlement amounting to 240,000 acres, and 'blocks from these will be put in the market as soon as the survey is completed. X In the other land districts of the North Island, viz., Tarauaki, Hawke's Bay, f.nd Welling-ton, there are 150,----000 acres of surveyed lands advertised in the Land Guide, and open for selection. During- the six months since the Ist of Api-il last, the area proclaimed and opened for settlement in the North Island consisted of 236,----584 acres.