LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15768, 8 December 1916, Page 10

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

IX CANTERBURY DISTRICT. (special to '"the rrtEss.") ELLINGTON, December 7. In ail interview concerning the operations of the Government under tho Discharged Soldiers' (Settlement Act, the Minister of Defence, dealing with the Canterbury district, said: —''The number of returned soldiers settled in this district is three. The area held by them is 755 acros, being all agricultural land. The selectors have been such a short time on the land that one can scarcely say how they are likely to progress, but so far their progress is satisfactory. The area set apart still available for selection, is 559 aci-es, of which 51G acres represents dairying land. Tho total area being prepared ■ for settlement for soldier settlers is 59.033 acres, made up as follows: — Acres. Cheviot Estate ... 3,453 Tlollesby Run ... 12,570 Clayton Run ... 12,800 Lees Valley Run ... 26,202 ''Paddy's Market'' ... 2,207 Bray's and Wills's Farms (near Fairlie) 1,7.50 The wholo of this "land is suitable for sheep, except tho latter, which is agricultural land." (rSKSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 7. In the courso of an interview the Hon. Colonel Allen stated that the area allotted under tho Discluirged Soldiers' Settlement Act, 1915, to discharged soldiers now amounted to 70,196 acrcs held by 19S men. L'p to the present time 193,067 aerc.s had been formally proclaimed under tho Act. which provides for 500,U00 acres beibg made available. In addition to these areas 732,000 acrcs of Crown land* might be applied for at any time either bv discharged soldiers op the general public. For the purpose of assisting soldier settlers financially tho Act authorised the Minister of Finance to rake a sum not exceeding £100,1)00. and to date advances amounting to £21,333 had been authorised and £11,990 had actually been advanced.