LAND SETTLEMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 14963, 24 August 1912, Page 5

LAND SETTLEMENT.

PROGRESS OF SUBDIVISION. The annual report of the Land for Settlements Department was presented to Parliament yesterday. The number of properties considered during the year was 109, containing 313,452 acres. This is an increase of 28 in number, but a less area by 37,256 acres. Canterbury again furnished the largest number, mostly agricultural farms of 1,000 to 2,ooo"acres in extent. The area purchased and taken possession of during the year was 44,447 acres freehold, together'with the goodwill -))" 55.300 acres of Crown leasehold. In addition nine, properties, containing 10.600 acres, have been purchased, and are now being surveyed. These wore, all secured at reasonable prices, considering the high values placed upon the hulk of the lands offered, and the prices ruling generally. The actual expenditure was £381,483. making a total up to March 31 of ' £5,948,071 for 1.296,942 acres. The report states that the hardening of the monoy market will undoubtedly have n steadying effect upon the undue inflation of values, and will in all probability considerably curtail the operations of speculators. Under the Land Settlement Finance Act the total number of associations incorporated is 24, with an area of 23,696 acres, valued at £276,195, and a membership, of 152. Notwithstanding the difficulties met with in starting new settlements, in only one or two instances has an extension of time been asked to meet payments. Besides the associations already incorporated, seven others have been approved, while several more are under consideration. A number have had, for various reasons, to be declined. The preliminary requirements of the Act are still a source of annoyance and delay, and should an opportunity occur several very necessary amendments will be suggested. The general opinion is that the principle of the Act is a good one, but that the machinery is dofective. In ai\y case the results so far quite justify the experiment.