CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10854, 25 March 1929, Page 5

CLOSER SETTLEMENT

WILL . GOVERNMENT BUY POVERTY BAY LAND ? REPORT UNDER CONSIDER A- .'■,*.. , TION . Persistent ; agitation for the Government, to acquire land in, this district to promote closer settlement may come to fruition sooner than expected. The Minister of Lands, (Hon. G*. I.orbes), is' -now considering a report furnished In- the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr E.. w^n’J” 0 ! 5 to 4 > recent’ conference mMVeHington on Crown lands avaiiable * for' settlement-. - Recently the Minister lyns;asked to release the report fox;/publication . but- althou<Wi. this was refused, the following, in--1 ormation <wa*s given :■ . f . ’A. report on this, matter was compiled by the Commissioner of Growir Lands, Gisborne, and submitted to a. recent conference of executive officers of the Land Coinmis-' sioners ol mv- department, hut it was intended for official-nse and discussion only. The report covers all un occupied' Crown lands, and much of Urn land mentioned therein is of no' value for settlement purposes; sonic cannot be profitably settled at present owing- -to inaccessibility, while the balance might-reasonably bo oflered for settlement as from time to tune-reading, etc., .can* h O -carried' out. Reference is also made to private lands which, would, -in the opinion of the Commissioner of "Crown Lands, lend themselves to eeonomical subdivismii for settlement.” Ihe Minister’s communication added that as it was decided to open up the various blocks due publicity would bo given.