Land Settlement

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 199, 8 August 1923, Page 2

Land Settlement

CONDITIONS IN HAWKES BAY. COMMISSION’S REPORT. ALL-ROUND~BUO YANCY. ' (From our Parity, correspondent). Wellington, Aug. 8. ’ Mr. W. F. Marsh. Commissioner of Crown Lands at Napier, in his annual report, says I It is very satisfactory to chronicle ' n marked improvement in many ways in settlement conditions in Hawke’s i Bay. Very good progress has been made in the dairying industry. To those settlers who have only been a few years on the land, the natural increase in dairy stock is now coming in mid building up herds and a feeling of pride iff holdings is becoming more apparent. More attention is being paid to good sires, and a spirit of rivalry is existent among owners. With tho prospects of obtaining a final result of 6d to 9d per pound more for his butter-fat than last year, the dairyfarmer can start next season with better heart.

Sheep-farmers have had a good reason, but in this branch a well-estab lished mfln whose flock had been kepiup by the natural increase benefited atone© by the rise in wool, matton and lamb. The smaller man, struggling undei; financial difficulties, has practically teen living on his lamb money for the last two years, with the result that his sheep have deteriorated, and it will take some time yet to educate him to th© observance of two sources of income, viz: wool and surplus stock. There is in too many cases an inclination to deal instead of farm. Generally there is more buoyancy. The men are in tetter spirits and it is felt that at least the hem of fortune’s garment is now firmly within their grasp. The total revenue for the year was £293,666, of which £115,879 was re ceived for discharged soldiers’ settlement account. Tte total number of tenants at the close of the year was 2,300, occupying an area of 1,102,034 acres and carrying an annual rental of £214,015. The amount of arrears on 31st March was £88,494, owing by 490 selectors. The last amount is somewhat terrifying, and gives some indication of how the district suffered from the slump.