LAND FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3053, 14 April 1917, Page 11

LAND FOR SOLDIERS

PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME SETTLEMENTS IN WELLINGTON DISTRICT. Complaints have been heard from time to tinie of the slow Drogress being made with the scheme for settling discharged soldiers on the land, for which Parliament has provided the necessary legislation and money (says "Wayfarer" in the "Weekly Press"). But' so far as the Wellington Land District is concerned, it -would seem that the administrative officers have been making excellent progress in this direction. With the authority of the A«t-ing-Minister of Lands, the UnderSecretary and the local Commissioner have furnished me with the_ following particulars of the land set aside in this district for soldiers' settlement and tho amount of settlement already effected: 'Tablelands and Wainuioru Settlements', 'near Martinborough—This area comprises 3548 acres, subdivided into seven farms varying from 316 to 707 acres in extent. The country is -undulating to hilly grass land', capable of carrying.half to two sheep to the acre, withsome cattle. . All tho sections were selected between February and June, 1916, and the lessees are making good progress. • Pouwhakarua Settlement, at Mangaweka—This comprises 770 acres, subdivided into sis sections varying from 61J to 229 acres. It is flat, undulating to hilly grass country, suitable for grazing and dairying. All the sections were selected in May, 1916, and tho tenants, -the majority of whom are dairying'aro doing well. Otamakapua Settlement in 'Apiti District, ten miles from Mangaweka—This comprises 2934 acres, subdivided into ton sections varying from 150 to 378 acres. It is flat, undulating to hilly open and bush land, suitable for dairying and grazing. All the sections were selected during June, 1916, and the settlers are progressing well with ' their fencing, clearing, burning, and sowing grass-seed. Settlements at Owhango and Piriaka —Theso comprise 2730 acres, subdivided into 15 sections varying from 105 to 309 acres. The settlements are-flat, undulating- to hilly,' milled-out bush lands,- suitable for dairying and grazing! All the sections were selected between January and July, 1916, and the sottlers are progressing well with tlicrr bush-felling, . burning, sowing, and fencing. Settlements near Mangaweka and Woodville—These comprise 2472 acres, subdivided into four sections, varying from 310 to 795 acres. The settlements arei -undulating to hilly bush country, suitable for dairying and grazing. All the sections were taken rip in June and July, 1916, and the selectors have made good progress with their bush-felliug, burning, and sowing. Settlement of 606 acres in the Manganui District—This settlement is subdivided into two sections, undulating to hilly busli country, most suitable for grazing. Both sections were selected in April, 1916, and the selectors are making most satisfactory progress. In the Whiriuaki and Retaruke Survey Districts there is a block of 40,775 aores. This is situated close to the Wanganui lliver, being distant from Wanganui by river 74 to 108 miles. It is also accessible from Raurimu and Raetihi, distant respectively thirtythree and thirty-two miles. _ This is all virgin bush country, which when cleared will make really good grazing farms. It varies from, easy ( to. fairly steep hills. The block is subdivided' into 48 sections, varying from 263 to 1800 acres, of which 20 selections-have already "been selected. Most of the: selectors" have 'commenced work oh their "holdings 1 , and are assisting their financial positions by taking road contracts in the blocks. These settlers if they are industrious have a bright future before them. -: In the : Puketoi District 506 acres have been subdivided into three sections, all of which have been selected. The settlers are at work clearing the bush, and preparing for grazing. One small section of six. acres has been taken up in the Raotihi suburbs. In the Normandale i Settlement, near Lower Hutt, 858 acres were selected in one block in August last. They comprise undulating to fairly steep hills, all in grass. The lessee has made good progress, and has his section stocked with 800 ewes and lambs.

Tiraumea Settlement. —This is situated in the Puketoi district, some twentyeight miles from Eketahuna, and cornprises'an area _of 10,138 acres, which has been subdivided into 21 farms, varying in size from 322 to 894 acres. The country is well grassed and comprises undulating to easy hills, with numerous flats. It is suitable for agricultural and pastoral purposes, and parts are suitable for dairying. This settlement was opened for selection on March 14 last, and so far, eight sections have been taken up. (ireystoke Settlement.—This is situated about four miles from Marton, and contains 1067 acres, subdivided into fourteen sections,, varying; from 54 to--103 acres, all open grass land; suitable for dairying. All the sections were a Hotted, in October, 1916, and most of the selectors are milking for the local dairy factories. Fairfield Settlement.—This settlement is situated about seven miles from Feilding and comprises 1019 acres, subdivided, into eight sections, varying from 193 to 169 acres. It is nearly all grass land, suitable for mixed dairying and cropping. Only one section remains unselected. Four of the sections are being worked satisfactorily, while the others have only recently been selected. Jlakowai Settlement.—This is situated about. 15 miles from Feilding, and comprises ,1450 acres in 25 sections, varying from 44 to 114 acres, all grass land, suitable for dairying. Twentythree sections have been allotted since November, 1916, and the settlers are making goou progress.-Hall-Jones Settlement.—This is situated in the borough of Lower Hutt, two miles from the railway station and ton miles from AVelliugton city.'' It contains 71 acres, subdivided into ,42 allotments, varying from'one to four acres, and~is some of the best arable land 'in tho Hutt Valley, being eminently suitable for market gaVdens, poultry, and fruit farms. Three sections nave been selected, but only one is being improved at present. A block,, containing 953 acres, part of Mr. John Hammond's Merchiston estate, on the Rangitikei River, near Rata, has been purchased, and will be open for selection in June next. This is all good dairying land and will be subdivided into sections of about 50 acres. '"'•