SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VII, Issue 330, 29 November 1917, Page 6

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

PROGRESS OF SETTLEMENT. It may be interesting to the people of H.B. to know something of the progress of the first soldiers’^, settlement in the district, viz. the Otawhoo block near Takapau which was formed previously for many years by Messrs Nelson, Potts and Prescott Bros. Eighteen months ago the land was sub-divided into 24 suitable dairying farms _ settling the first returned Anzacs. They have made considerable progress up to the present time and it must be a matter of great satisfaction to the Government and to the neighbourhood for them to have accomplished so much as they have done in the time, considering cost of material at the present day, lack of labouring assistance which might have, under these conditions deterred them from getting their farms into proper working order. These difficulties have been surmounted by the returned Anzacs. A visit to the settlement would evidence the prosperity and the contentment of these men who hav done so much with so little. During the short period the value of improvements effected by these settlers exceeds £lO,OOO and the number of stock is 897 cattle and 1950 sheep besides horses.

Settlers on the Watea soldier’s settlement are gradually getting their new holdings into working order and it will only be a question of a. few months when the 30 new settlers will be permanently living on their farms, and Takapau will be recognised as the district for Returned Soldiers. It is understood that the Government is considering the further purchase of land in the vicinity.