CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Grey River Argus, 5 February 1930, Page 4

CLOSER SETTLEMENT

BIG ESTATES Bought by Government (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. February 4. A total of 24,00 acres will be available for closer settlement as a result of a purchase that the Government has concluded, under the Land for Settlements Act, of the Wilden Estate, formerly owned by Mr R. L. Acton Adams, and situated near Hcriot, in Otago. The Minister of Lands (Hon. G. W. I orbes) said that the property comprised 15,174 acres of freehold and 8.890 acres held under Pastoral License. The land is of excellent quality. The proposed number of subdivisions is from 12 to 14. The land is firstclass grazing country, and a large proportion of it is suitable for cropping. Ijhe stock carried prior to the purchase by the Government was 18,340 ewes, 4.320 dry sheep, and 340 cattle. The purchase price is not disclosed. The Minister said a ballot would be held in the second week in April. Mr Forbes also said that the Government had now purchased under its closer settlement policy some 27 properties aggregating 50,000 acres. These would provide 125 additional holdings, a number of which had already been selected.