SETTLEMENT SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 32, 7 August 1923, Page 7

SETTLEMENT SCHEME

IN TAUPO DISTRICT

A PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.

(BI TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO TH! POST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day,

After a, long time in New Zealand, viewing properties suited for settlement purposes, Mr. Leslie M'Arthur is returning to Great Britain with data with respect to a project in the country near Tokoroa, on the Taupo-Totara Timber Company's line. Friends and relatives in Britain requested Mr. M'Arthur to submit to them some sound scheme in the colonies for investment of their capital, where it would earn fair return without being subject to the exceptionally heavy taxation that has - ruled in Britain since the war. Air. M'Arthur investigated several schemes in New Zealand, including the Tokoroa country. Here he spent some weeks, in a thorough investigation of the district, during which time he was met by local landowners. They tentatively offered him in aU about 80,000 acres, 125 square miles, of virgin country, for settlement by immigrants, and gave him full details of the cost of developing it, probable returns, etc. Mr. if' Arthur's proposal is that the capital offering should be organised to establish private immigration settlements on_ a common plan. Tho Tokoroa proposition, said Mr. M'Arthur, was the finest for his purpose that had been submitted to him. Rail communication was already provided by the timber company's line, the country was open, and could readily be' laid down in pastures ; ■ telephone facilities and electric power were available, and the subdivision of roads should cost little for construction. Mr. M'Arthur consulted the Prime Minister on important aspects of the scheme, and also obtained additional data from the Auckland' Lands Office prior to leaving Auckland for England direct. The landowners interested have also appointed a special representative to co-operate with Mr. M'Arthur in briging the scheme to fruition.