LAND FOR THE PEOPLE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 19 January 1907, Page 1

LAND FOR THE PEOPLE.

UNLOCKING THE COUNTRY. A FORWARD POLICY. I It is stated on the authority of the | Minister of Lands that the Government ' does not intend to relax its efforts in ' providing land for the people under the I Land for Settlement Act. It is interesting to note (says the "New Zealand ' Times") what has recently been done in the way of acquiring estates in the I North and South Islands, which are. to j be made available to intending settlers ' at an early date. i The purchase of the Airedale Estate near Oamaru will enable the Depart- ■ ment to place 2662 acres of suitable ! country on the market. Portions of i Mr Gibson's Ashley Downs Station, • near Clinton, and adjoining Clydevale, has also been secured, and this will provide settlement for a, number of people. The Government made an offer to the owner of Clydevale property, but it was not accepted, and nothing ftirtaerilns been done in regard to this estate. The part of Ashley Downs : which has been taken over by the Government is said to be the pick of this run, divided into paddocks of suitable areas, so that the successful applicants will have to do practicaly no fencing. It is well roaded, . and is at present , under crops of grass, and well-watered. j The, CuKordon property, Canterbury, was inspected with a view to purchase, though no finality in regard to its acquisition has yet been reached. With reference to the Hillersden Estate, near Blenheim, the Land Purchase Board could not see its way to pay the price asked for it, and negotiations have closed for tho present. Nelson should shortly benefit considerably by the acquisition of the Whangapeka property, of -4880 acres. This land is very well adapted for close settlement. As the Nelson residents have lately been agitating for some of the large properties in their district to be cut up, so that tho young men need not be compelled to look elsewhere for land, the subdivision of this area should be hailed with satisfaction. The I Minister of Lands, on the occasion of ; his recent visit .inspected several esitates along -the Buller Valley, which cut off the Crown lands frontage. The question of developing settlement in this direction is now under considera- . tion. : Coming to the North Island: The' L.and Purchase Board is now in negotiation for estates in the Wairarapa district m the vicinity of Carterton and Featherston. It is felt that there is scope for more settlement in the Wairarapa, and ere Jong fresh settlers may t be seen in that part of the island. About 4500 acres will be thrown open for selection by the purchase of the Otanga property, between Dannevirke and Waipawa, Hawke's Bay, now "} Y l6 P° sses sion of the executors of the late Mr W. Rathbone. People in Hawke's Bay have been awaiting the opening up of the Olrig btation, so long associated with the name of Messrs Smith Bros. An area of 12,277 acres is to put on the market early next month. In addition, the' Board has purchased some 4000 or 5000 acres from the na- ; tives between Dannevirke and Woodville. This land is to be opened for selection at the beginning of April. In the Hawke's Bay district a number of Datlve areas formerly übrdened with timber leases which are about to expire, have also beqn acquired by the Orown, and these will shortly be placed reach of settlers. The Te Arai estate, of 13,000 acres, Poverty Bay, belonging to the Hon. Kandall Johnston, is being acquired by ■ the Government under the compulsory , clauses of the Act. * , Th 2, Assets Realisation Board refused the (..overnment's offer for the Waimana block, near Whakatane, and it fit 3 bee " , de "ded to take it compulsor- ' f;. T f he ,, Chief Justice held a sitting o f t he Compensation Court at 23 "it T ± he 10th inst - to settle the price that should be paid for the property The Assets Board has arranged, Oh mutual terms, for the disposals the Government of two of its other proper♦if» „* owl* are the Mangapouri Es- ' ami' fh aCreS> On the Eot ° rua line . *000 It Man S<>whero Estate, of about 0000 acres, close to Matamata. These next. Wi " be °P ened in M «<* ! JUtHS* } Wds have late 'y bean the ' Bay ?J 1 "ft 0 "' TaransW . Hawke's W 63000 Auckl; « d districts, comprisranaki n n a WeUi »eton and Ta. ranaki (junctionmg on the borders of the two provinces), 44,000 acres in TafS±. d £ net P r °P". 13,000 acres fn sfc ™l ? 8 ?' aUd r 12 '°°° ™ Auckland. thnLW ° DS for the a<:q«'«tion of these lands are nearly completed, and it is assumed that they ■will be made iant date. Inquiries are now proceedfof( a n f ad^ ltlOU to *"»• a «a» mentioned) Maori Kn^ f T\ °J acres '«»* of the N »l tV""?* in VarioUß P arts ered v«l /u and ' which are «»•«■ poses. SU l 6 for 86t « 6n >ent, purJ