POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 19349, 8 September 1926, Page 9

POLITICAL POINTS

SALES TO THE CROWH MORE REASONABLE FIGURES / [From Od» Pablumentaet Reposthr.] WELLINGTON. September 7. Offers received for too sale of land fo thq Crown, under the Land for Settlement Act last year indicate that the owners of largo properties suitable for subdivision are now willing to offer them at a more reasonable figure, and since the close of the financial year three estates, totalling 14,252 acres, have been purchased, while negotiations in respect of two other properties approximating 20,000 acres have reached a stage that gives a reasonable prospect ot successiul negotiation. The re: port of the department adds that during the year, also, considerable areas of second and third-class lands, mostly in localities difficult of access, have been placed under offer to the Crown, but the board lias not been able to recommend purchase lor the reason that it is of opinion that they are entirely nnsuited lor closer settlement, being on y suitable for holding in comparatively lam: areas by those having capital available to work them. , It is considered that in purely sheep grazing land of low-grade fattening capacity a minimum of trom 1,000 to 1,500 acres is required to assure a reasonable hvino- for a family, for the reason that with such land there is a strong tendency towards reversion to manuka and native grasses every few years. Although lor many years such lands have been successfully farmed by capable men in areas of 2,500 acres and upwards, recent investigations under the discharged soldiers’ revaluation have gone to show that this type of land cannot be settled successfully m small areas unless it is in close proximity to rrood transportation facilities, which will permit of the use of lime and other top-dressing mixtures at the lowest possible, prices. » * * « SHEEP RETURNS. The annual sheep returns for the vear ended April 00 show that sheep owners have increased in number by 899 and flocks by 357,038. Details of distribution throughout the dominion are; — Auckland ; 3.326 sheep owners; 2 092,244 sheep (1925), 2,244,603 sheep (4926). Napier-Gisborne: 3,6-10 sheep owners; C. 344,990 sheep (1926), 6,2.36,211 sheep Coast: 4,415 sheep owners; 5,232,307 sheep (1925), 5,349,436 sheep (1926). Marlborough-Nelson-T) ostland : sheet) owners; 1.351,889 sheep (192 o), 1.353,075 sheep (1926). CWcrbury-Kaikonra: 5.616 sheep owners; 4,981.002 sheep (193 o), 4,9(1,322 sheep (1926). Ota"vi: 5,685 sheep owners; 4,492,463 sheep 11925), 4,750,316 sheep (1926). Totals for dominion: 20,040 sheep owners; 24,547,955 sheep (192 o), 21.904,993 sheep (1920). » * * * PROBATION PERIOD IN PUBLIC SERVICE. , Many young fellows start their work in life* in a fine that is not suited to them. If they remain in it they will be failures for life, but if they pass out of it early in life they will probably got into something else which will them, and perhaps bo successful, _ remarks the Public Service Commissioner in announcing that the probationary period for entrants to the Public Sorvice is being extended. All now appointees are admitted to, the service subject to a period of probation. Iho Act provides that the period is not_ to he loss than six months. In 1921 the departments were advised that the period would be extended to not less than two years. Experience has shown the wisdom of the extension, particularly in cases of now entrants for cadetships. It is felt that the period should be further extended in this latter case, and a period of four years substituted for two vears. This would give an added opportunity, both for the department and new entrants, to ensure that their careers in the Public Service will be successful.

» * * * COUNTY REVENUES MOT PREJUDICED. Amendments have been made by the Lands Committee in the T 1 orests Amendment Act. Tt was explained by the chairman of the committee (Mr Hockly) that the Bill had been amended by placing timber licensees in the same position as previously in regard to appeals. The new portion of clause 8, which validated timber-cutting rights, had an addition stating that the licenses shall he hereafter administered by the Commissioner of State Forests, and licensees shall have the same rights of appeal as if the Commissioner were the warden. In regard to applications for renewal of the certificate ot reservation the time has been red need from three to two months, and a delayed application would not lie granted unless the Commissioner was satisfied_ that failure to make application within the proper date was duo to inadvertence, mistake, or accident. Ho assured Air Seddon and Mr Holland, who had asked a question regarding the possible prejudicial effect of the Bill on county revenue, that the committee was informed that the counties would uot he interfered with, but that their revenue would bo the same as previously, » * # * PUBLIC SERVICE ENTRANCE. “A noticeable feature in connection with candidates for the Public Service entrance, In addition to the largo numbers presenting themselves, is the high quality of the applicants, who, speaking generally, are of a more suitable typo than those offering a few years ago,” states the Public Service Commissioner in his annual report. It is also mentioned that the regulations governing the Public Service entrance, senior national scholarship, and intermediate examinations have been amended. While a few subjects which are very seldom offered for examination are being dropped, history is being mad© compulsory, and certain new subjects are being added to the, optional group. Amendments will be in the direction of bringing the three examinations more closely into line with each other, and a consequent advantage to teachers should result. The proposed scheme is framed to cover a more liberal course of education, since bright boys taking courses other than classical courses will secure equal advantages with the rest, and in particular Dio small country secondary schools, district high schools, and technical schools will be assisted by being enabled to develop courses suited to their environment and needs. The wide choice of subjects, including some of a practical nature, will be or advantage to those candidates who do not have the opportunity of attending a secondary school. The changes will operate in the November examinations, and the scholastic authorities have been aware of them for some time.