LAND SETTLEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20671, 19 December 1930, Page 1

LAND SETTLEMENT

THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY DEVELOPMENTS EXPLAINED [Per United Press Association.] AVELLINGTON, December 18. Sixteen blocks of land from North Auckland to Southland, with a total area of 61,000 acres, are at_ present under development or are being prepared for that purpose, according to a comprehensive review of its land development activities covering the past two years, issued by the Government to-day. It is pointed out that the Government was committed to a policy of increased settlement, and in setting out the extent of the operations in hand, and ‘ especially the widespread activities of the Lands Department since the passing of the amending legislation of 1929, it is emphasised that the fruits of that policy are already apparent. Since the passing of last year’s legislation the Lands Development Board has advanced £58,000 to settlers for the improvement of Crown holdings, the review states. It has also authorised the expenditure of £128,000 for the development cf Crown areas. Prior to selection large areas are being brought into production, ani the Government’s efforts iu this direction are summed up in the announcement that the total of 61, r 000 acres is included in sixteen separate blocks, upon which attention is being directed at the moment. Rural holdings totalling 1,477, with an aggregate acreage of 572,000, have been disposed of during two years. It is pointed out that the real test of the settlement policy was to be found’in the number of rural holdings made available and the average cost per settler. The total number of holdings selected was 574, and the average cost per settler was £1,343. .it is also intended to offer a further 110 sections during December and January. The Government has purchased forty-eight properties, with a total area of 87,000 acres. The amount involved was £737,000, and the number of holdings made available as a result, was 228. Of these, 191 holdings had already been offered, and 182 had actually been selected.

In addition to the Lands Department’s activities, the Alinister of Native Affairs (Sir Apiraua Ngata) has attended to comprehensive proposals for the development of Natjve areas, his policy being to foster farming among the Maori people. _ A total of thirty separate schemes is stated to be in operation, or under consideration, in various parts of both the North and South Islands.! The area involved .in this work. 5s about 80,Q00 Veres. ' ' , _ . ! X, An iiii.eresi.itig and highly important experiment is being carried out on the Easterfiekl block on the AVesL Coast of the ' South Island. This comprises 250 acres of pakihi land which is being placed under experimental cultivation. This land has been vietyed as of comparatively no value for pastoral purposes. Researches made by the Cawthrou Institute and earlier experiments by the Department of Agriculture have shown, that excellent grass land can ho produced without extensive cost. Recent work by the Cawthron Institute in establishing excellent pasture by the use of lime and liberal top-dressing has given considerable promise .that this land can be brought into successful operation. The cost of all operations will be carefully recorded and checked. The value of these experiments is illustrated by the fact that 43,000 acres of this land is lying idle at present. The sum of £40,000 has been authorised for the development and reading of the AVharekohe block, near AVhangarei. This block comprises 3,700 acres, and in the meantime a total of 2,000 acres will he developed. Interest attaches to the work that is being carried out on the Tapuwao block, near Te Kuiti. Its area is 3,350 acres, of which two-thirds is unimproved milled bush land. The sum of £IO,OOO has been authorised for development work. Felling contracts have been let, and 800 acres will shortly.be ready for burning. Felling operations will be carried out over, 1,200 acres next year. An access road is at present under construction, and 300 acres is being drained. Accommodation is being made available for workers, and the proposal is that a small community will be established on the block, witli schooling facilities for the children. _ It is expected that the whole block will he ready for offering by 1932. In a detailed examination of each other individual scheme, it is shown to what stage the work lias advanced in each district.-