Land Settlement

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6884, 13 April 1929, Page 8

Land Settlement

'J'HE HON. G. W. FORBES, the Minister of Lands and Agriculture, has managed to make a fairly comprehensive inspecTion of the Crown lands of the Dominion since he assumed office some five months ago and is well satisfied, on the whole, with Ihe facilities they offer for extended settlement. His chief difficulty at the moment is finance. There were many areas of Crown lands up and down the country, he said yesterday, which might be brought into profitable occupation by the right kind of men if the Government were in a position to give them a little preliminary assistance. This, he had no doubt, would be one the problems submitted to Parliament during the approaching session. There was plenty of suitable land available in the country as well as plenty of sturdy hands to tackle it, and it would be Ihe business of the Government to bring the two factors together. With that accomplished the country would be well on the way towards surmounting most of its troubles. The Minister was looking forward with confidence to Parliament giving him its assistance in formulating his scheme of sound settlement

The Niagara arrived at Suva at one o’clock yesterday afternoon from Auckland. > The Eailway Department announces in this issue that from Monday, 15th April, passengers travelling on the 7.17 a.m. Palmerston North-Napicr and 3.4 p.m. Napier-Palmerston North-Welling-ton trains may reserve their seats under usual conditions. A conference of held superintendents of tho Fields Divirion of the Department of Agriculture was held in Palmerston North yesterday, when matters in connection with the work of the coming year were discussed and a plan of operations drawn up. Cabinet has approved of a grant to defray the expenses of Sir Andrew Russell who will attend the fourth biennial conference of tho British Empire Service League in London on June 25 on behalf of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. Heavy rain fell in Whangnrei on Thursday and yesterday morning, 2.91 inches being recorded. Creeks and streams are swollen, and some roads are reported to be impassable.

The Ulimaroa left Sydney at one o ’clock yesterday for Auckland. Rails and sleepers on the permanent way opposite the Post Office are at present receiving attention from the gangers and will be replaced on Sunday, when tho work will not interfere with the train service. A successful May fair in Invercargill this year seems assured. Up till today, no chairman was available for the committee, but at a meeting this afternoon, it was announced that Mr W. Stevenson had agreed to act, and details of the organisation were entered into. To-night in the Oddfellows' hall, Cuba street, the Social club will hold another of its popular weok-en-d functions, when intending patrons are assured of a good evening's amusement. This is the last night of the gold wristlet watch competition, which, will definitely be decided on Wednesday evening, next, April 17, in the Oddfellows hall. Supper will be provided and play commences at 8 o’clock sharp.