CHELTENHAM.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 493, 11 February 1908, Page 2

CHELTENHAM.

FOR CLOSER SETTLEMENT. ACQUISITION OF LAND. MINISTER GIVES STRONG ASSURANCE. 1 BIG HOLDERS MUST NOT BLOCK * ' SETTLEMENT. During the course of his tour , through the Feilding district yester- - day afternoon the Minister of Lands J visited the Cheltenham district ( and inspected it. On arrival at — the Cheltenham Dairy J factory, Mr Lethbridge introduced ! the directors to the Minister for ' Lands, and explained that they wish- ' ed to bring before him the desirability of acquiring some lands in the district. Mr J. Bruce, Chairman of. Directors, said that his brother directors and other settlers in the district had asked him to bring before the Minister the desirability of acquiring land in the district for closer settlement. Some five years ago, when an agitation was set afoot for the acquisition of certain properties in the vicinity of the dairy factory for closer settlement, it was ascertained that several owners wore willing to dispose of their properties to the Government. For instance, Mr Elkington, who owned 1700 acres, would sell for £20 an acre; Mr J. R. Johnston, who owned 1040 acres, had offered to sell at a reasonable price; and Mr E. J. Riddiford. who owned 1700 acres, was approached, but he did not seem willing to put a price on his land. Of course, more would have to be paid for the land now. The Cheltenham Dairy Company was considerably hampered in its operations owing to the large holdings in its vicinity. He admitted that they had got along very well with the factory so far, but that had only been accomplished by going very far , afield for a considerable portion of their suppliers. Mr Riddiford was an absentee, his land was well suited for close settlement, he only employed about one shepherd, and if his land were acquired it would be : sufficient for a number of dairy farmers. It would be a great assistance to the Cheltenham Company if closer settlement were obtained, and the community would benefit in other respects : the school and the town- : ship would be infinitely, better if the J population were larger, while tho . land was so fertile that it could be ; utilised with benefit to the district. I Mr Lethbridge pointed out that Mr McNab had seen for himself as they passed that day what fertile land it was, and it would be quickly taken up at the price it cost the Government. In answer to Mr McNab, Mr Bruce said that the land could well be cut up in from 50 to 100 acre farms. He firmly believed that a large number of people would take up the land if i it were divided into small areas. In ' regard to the question, of water, it : could easily be obtained, while Mr : Riddiford was entitled to 2000 gal-/ lons a day from the Feildirig water i supply, the pipes for which wejpe"' taken through the property. Mr McNab said that it was desirable to have close settlement in a fertile district like the one he was in, and to have the land utilised to its^, fullest, extent. It seemed a pity tba£ the land should be held in such lgjgge--areas and that it should give employment to so few people. It was the desire of the Government, without being oppressive on individuals, to do what they could to reduce the areas and increase the number of, settlers. He did not know of any place where closer settlement could be so. advantageously carried out in the Cheltenham district, for there was no need for experimenting in the starting of factories, one of the greatest drawbacks to settlers taking up land under the Land for Settlement Act. : But he 'did not like to even think of enforcing, the compulsory clauses of the Land for Settlement Act: he always preferred to negotiate first for voluntary sale, so that owners would b_ able to deal with their lands without pressure. Immedi ately on his return to Wellington he would instruct the Chairman of the Land Purchase Board to put himself in communication with the owners of the land referred to, and ascertain whether they would be willing tc\ dispose of their land at a reasonable price. If they were not willing, then the further question would arise as to what steps the Government should take in the matter. If they had the personal assurance of the owners that they would place some of the land- in the market in small areas, it might be advisable to wait and see what the result would bo ; but if nothing could be done, then the Government would have to consider what further steps it would take. If the owners of large properties did not recognise that the time had come when their land must be subdivided, they could not expect to be allowed to sit down and block settlement,, and the question of compulsory acquisition must come in. He would promise them that so far as lay -in his power he would do his best to, carry out the desire of the deputation. Mr Bruce thanked the Minister , for the manner in which he had re- ! ceived the deputation. It was the ( first occasion upon which, they had had the honor of a visit from a Minister of the Crown, and they were very thankful indeed to him for the encouragement he had given theim Mr McNab said he had been pleesed with his visit to the district. Some people seemed inclined to find ] fault with the Ministers for' going : about the country, instead of keep- j ing close to their departmental work, i and it was a treat to find that what ; some called "Ministerial gadding about" was appreciated.