REHABILITATION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32517, 15 December 1944, Page 8

REHABILITATION

STATEMENTS WITHDRAWN OHINEMURI COUNCIL DISCUSSION AT LAST MEETING Consequent upon a letter received from the Rehabilitation Board, the Ohinemuri County Council at its December meeting, Cr. T. A. Barrett presiding, adopted a resolution withdrawing certain statements made at the November meeting of the council with reference to the conditions under which returned servicemen were understood to have been settled on land in the Ohinemuri County area. The resolution, inter alia, acknowledged the earnestness of the Rehabilitation Department’s efforts to settle re- . turned servicemen suitably. The letter, which was dated December 1 and was signed by Mr F.Baker (Director of Rehabilitation) was in the following terms:— “My, attention has been drawn to a report of the meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council, published; in the Hauraki Plains Gazette of November 17, and which was headed ‘Not Fair; Men On Back-Block Land; Vigorous Criticism; Rehabilitation Authorities.’ Enquiries Made “I have made extensive enquiries but have been unable to find 1 any instance where an ex-serviceman has been established on land with inadequate road access, and infested with, noxious weeds.’. , .

“So fan as concerns the second part of the report, headed ‘Complaint To County; ' Road Access To Fann,’ I find that the settler referred to, Mr Chappell; applied for assistance under the Rehabilitation Act to purchase a farm at Onewhero, but in view of the high deterioration factor and the difficulty of maintaining the carrying and productive capacity, it was considered that his establishment on that area would not be in his own - interests and his application was in consequence declined.

“Mr Chappell then decided to return to his Crown section at Waitekauri, which he had held for someti®ie before he joined the Armed Forces. He was, however, informed iby the Rehabilitation authorities- that the decision was not a wise..one, for the reason that the property was considered to be unsuitable.

“Later, -Mr Chappell lodged an application for another property which also was considered unsatisfactory, and he has since continued in occupation of the Crown section.

Given Satisfaction

“Mr Chappell has 'been given every satisfaction by the District Rehabilition Officer in his endeavours to locate a suitable farm, and he has participated unsuccessfully in two ballots for properties acquired by the Crown under the provisions of 'Section '5l of the Servicemen’s Settlement and Land Sales Act.

“As soon as a suitable proposition can be located Mr Chappell’s application will be reviewed. ■ •

“In- fairness to the Rehabilitation Department, I am' sure your county council will take steps to remove the erroneous- impression caused by the publication of the article referred to above.”

•Following the reading of the letter by the clerk, Mr A. A. Jenkinson, the chairman moved, and Cr. G. A. Avery seconded the following statement and resolution, which were carried nem. con., and without discussion:— Not Full Information “When this matter was discussed by the council at its last meeting the access to three properties was being discussed at the same • time. The council had not been supplied with full and correct information in connection with two of the properties. This led to a misunderstanding which caused certain mis-statements to be made. The council is now possessed of the full facts and these reveal that the Rehabilitation Board is doing everything possible for the men concerned. It is 'to be regretted that full information was not available' to the council when it was discussing the matter at its last meeting. The resolution passed at that meeting was as follows: ‘That this matter be left to Cr. Franklin and the engineer to interview Mr Chappell and the Rehabilitation Committee with a view, to seeing if something can be done for him’.”