PUSHING AHEAD

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 35, 11 February 1931, Page 17

PUSHING AHEAD

GALATEA ESTATE

200.MEN NOW EMPLOYED

Although the Government does not tako possession of the Galatea estate until March, 1932, no time is being lost on developmental work, and 200 men are at present employed by the Public Works Department on access roads. It is anticipated that the estate will provide for about 120 farms. These facts are mentioned ,in a letter which has been received by Mr. Walter Nash, M.P., from the Minister of Lands (the Hon. T3>.,A. Eanßom). Mr. Bansom's letter is as follows;— "I beg to refer to your recent inquiries in connection with the question of allotting lands on which developmental works are being carried out by the Crown to the men engaged on such development works. "Section 10' of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1930, provided that the Minister of Lands may, on the recommendation of the Lands Development Board, determine that any land which has been developed shall be set apart for allotment to persons who have been employed on the improvement works carried out on such land. It is provided that notwithstanding any setting apart as aforesaid, nothing shall preclude the allotment of land to any person who has not been employed on such land, but every applicant who has been so employed shall have preference, unless the Land Board considers him to be unspitable. Power is conferred on the Lands Board when dealing with application^ from persons employed on development works to inquire into the experience and suitability of the applicants, and to. give preference to applicants having regard to the nature of the work and the time on which they have been engaged on development works, together with their general suitability as selectors. . "You will see from the foregoing that when any land is set apart for disposal to persons engaged on development works the allotment of such land is entirely within the discretion of. the particular Land Board concerned. "With regard to the Galatea estate, I may say that so far the question of setting it apart for allotment under the provisions of Section 10 of the 1930 Act has not been considered by the Lands Development Board. It is anticipated that the estate will provide for about 120 farms, but the men engaged on roading and general development work will probably exceed that number. It •roll therefore be observed that even if the whole estate is set apart pursuant to the said Section 10. that no guarantee can be given that every man engaged' on development work would get a section, as there might not be sufficient sections to meet all demands. "The Crown does not obtain possession until March, 1932, but the subdivisional survey is being undertaken immediately in order that the internal roading and development work may be undertaken forthwith. ' Already 200 men are employed by the Public Works Department on access roads."