SETTLING THE LAND.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1431, 4 May 1912, Page 8

SETTLING THE LAND.

CUTTING UP LAHGE ESTATES.

Commenting on the number of properties on the West Coast which have been out up recently, tho Manawatu correspondent of tho "'Farmers' Union Advocate" says: "First thero wero Mr. Gear's, at To Horo; Mr. Izard's, at Otaki; Moutoa, Makerua; Lockwoed, Carnarvon; Orotia Downs, Bainesse; Arapata (Mr. M'L«n : nan's); Parorangi (Mr. Short's); Taomii (Mr. Levin's); Oarangi, Ohakea, Waitohi, Beaton Park, Ngaio, Burnside, Ano Hank, and stvcral others up the Turakina Valley, and quite a number up jn the back country round Taranaki. Now we aro to have Longburn (Mr. Riddiford's) and the Kopane (Mrs. Johnston's), near Filmcrston, cut up into small sections, some of tho finest- dairy land in the North Island; and Marahan between I\aiIwi and AVaitotara. . . . Whilst that is going on there seems little necessity for any drastic measures. Far more necessity, I should sny, for the opening up of Native lands, of which thero seems an enormous area in tho Auckland province. In conversation with a friend, wiio has some interests in the Waikato, he tells me that there are those who are making pots of monev out of securing the lrechold of lands from the Natives for those who havo tho leaseholds. This question of .Native Lands is a. most vexed one. If the door is opened, tho land is sold, and the Natives spend tho money. It the door is closed, tho laud remains idle.