LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 187, 8 August 1919, Page 2

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

A RUSH OF APPLICANTS. BEFORE NORTH AUCKLAND BOARD. The Xorth Auckland Land Board finished its sittings this afternoon. Most of yesterday and the whole of to-day was spent in committee, dealing with applications under the Returned Soldiers' Settlement Act, mostly for assistance in purchasing houses and farms and working the same. There were 114 of these applications and an additional'so on the supplementary agenda paper. During the course of the meeting the Commissioner informed a "Star" reporter that the volume of soldiers' work, coming in was now so large and was increasing so rapidly that the Bo»rd found it almost impossible to find time to. attend to the ordinary routine work, and the administration of their land district. The soldiers' applications were now so numerous that they alone almost required his undivided attention. Although the [Board now hold fortnightly meetings, it could not keep pace with the inrush of work. The last tnree meetings occupied three full days in epite of an intermediate special meeting. Three officers were specially engaged in receiving applications, ordering valuations, and seeing that everything in connection with these applications was kept running smoothly. Before the influx of soldier settlement the Board held a meeting once .a month, and it was finished -by niid-aiternoon.. : ''"■' : "-'