SUCCESS ON THE LAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 18, 23 January 1919, Page 3

SUCCESS ON THE LAND.

EX SOLDIER’S EXPERIENCE. A very gratifying instance of 'he success of an _fex -soldier who was assisted “on to tne land’’ was before the executive of the Canterbury Patriotic Fund this week. The man in question bad fought on Gallipoli, and ne was the firs- man assisted by the Canterbury Patriotic fund in farming operations. “id was successful in a ballot for a section of land nt Takapau, Hawke’s Bay. The Patriotic Fund Executive lent him £SO, free of interest, and repayable jti ins.alraents within two years of .the granting of the loan. He repaid the money in the time, «Wu the Agricultural and Farming Committee of the fund then made him a grant of *2O. In thanking the commi tee tor this grant, the ex-soldier wrote: “I will invest the money in a few sheep, which 1' was saving up to get later on, to follow up the cows, as they: do very well like that. I will be able 'to put them Qti right away, and when I sell them oil' will double .the money on them. I might tell you that the shed I spent the loan on is spoken 1 of as. the best shed on ;li e whole block of 25 sections. (Being of solid concrete, it is a valuable improvement on the place, and is dry and warm; I can milk in comfort in all weathers, having the concrete flooring. ‘“■When I drew this section I only had the deposit money, but a life-time of experience in all farm work. I drew a good section, wi hj plenty of grass and natural streams. The Government advance enabled me to get the hotist and a dozen milking cows. As the cream ' cheque came in I was able to invest in a plough and discs. I built up the herd to 21 cows. I got the ex ra cow« through the Hawke's Bay Co-operative Association, pacing 7 per cent, interest and the principal in instalments. They were very good, and allowed me to pay just what I could spare each month. I have them fully paid up now. It was a grea; struggle

ii'-t. but now x find I any .getting on well. I might mention that I have never had a day’s off the place since I got it. but I am quite sa isfied, as I see good prospects ahead of me. This year is good eo far, and the feed is wonderful. I have already, taken off a splendid crop of barley. There ij no doubt that the Government has given us'good land.”