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Northern Advocate, 28 August 1913, Page 3

In view of the unsatisfactory position of gum lands throughout the North Island, the Counties' Conference, now sitting in Wellington, decided on the initiative of the Otamatea County Council, to request the

Government to take steps to classify the areas in question. It was decided to set aside certain' areas as areas suitable for 'and certain others as being useful or suitable for settlement under the L-and Laws Amendment Act. It is also desired to set aside areas for settlement under an afforestation scheme, and to close others for diggers only. It was the wish of the conference that the resolution should not apply to an area of 25,000 acres in.the Mangonui County, which, it wasppointerd r out, maintained some 3000 gum-dig-' gers. If it was thrown open for settlement, the opinion was expressed that it would not carry 300 settlers.

The Xew Zealand Force Motor Reserve is to consist of one LieutenantColonel, one Staff Officer, sixteen Majors, thirty-two Captains, and one hundred and twenty-eight Leiutenants It will be administered on mobilization by a Lieutenant-Colonel of the Teriitorial Force, who will be responsible to the QuartermasterGeneral, assisted by a Staff-Officer, who will be appointed from the Permanent Force of the Dominion. The administrative Katies in r peace will be performed by an officer of the Headquarters Staff under the Quar-tßji-niaster-'General. Thos£ who ac-J cept commission in the Reserve most possess a thoroughly efficient motor-car and a good practical knowledge of it. They will be required to perform seven days' duty annually (consecutively or otherwise as required, or as fourteen ralf-days) if called upon. Their duties will be entirely in connection with the Headquarters and District Staffs of the Defence Forces. Officers will be asked to perform duty as far as possible in the neighbourhood mi which (they reside. Allowances will be granted to officers as follows in connection with their employment on duty in p.eace time:—Class "A." cars of not less than 20 horse-power and 26 cwt. in weight, having seating capacity for four pei*sons (including driver) 40s per diem. Class "B," cars of under 20 horse-power or under 26 cwt in weight, having seating capacity for four persons (including driver), 37s per diem. Class "C," cars of not less than 10 horse-power having seating capacity for one or two persons in addition to driver, 30s per diem.