OVER FIVE HUNDRED NEW SETTLERS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 February 1932, Page 5

OVER FIVE HUNDRED NEW SETTLERS.

large area brought into CULTIVATION. minister fob lands reviews DEVELOPMENT IN 1932. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday, in an interview on Crown Land settlement during 1932, the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E.. A. Ransom said the number of new settlers placed on rural lands on permanent tenures was 509, the total area being 139,450 acres, compared with 607 tenants and 156,186 acres respectively in 1930. le e ntirely now selections totalled _. °t 52,048 acres. In addition 25 private properties, comprising 63,201 acres, were acquired, costing £348,792 . or. breaking into 225 prospective subdivisions. During the year 85 settlers " Placed on these private properties. i ie Minister said good progress was oeing made in the development of Crown land blocks, but the stage was no leached of placing permanent setters on these State developed areas. present development work was in progress on 11 blocks, totalling a little over 70,000 acres, of which over 31,000 acres was being 'developed. Twelve Wiousand acres had been cleared, 7800 acres cultivated and 5000 acres laid down in grass. These areas wore estimated to provide 260 holdings, practically all dairying. The number of settlers placed in 1931 on undeveloped Crown lands wa-s 284, compared with 345 last year, the area being 53,701 acres compared with 79,531 (acres in 1930.