LANDS FOR HOMESTEAD SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9016, 31 March 1888, Page 5

LANDS FOR HOMESTEAD SETTLEMENT.

It will be recollected that some time since application was made to the Lands Board to open certain lands for settlement for homesteads in the Pakiri district, as the sons of settlers in the district were anxious to take them up. The matter was referred to the Government, and the reply of the Minister of Lands, which was published in the report of the proceedings declining the request was read at the meeting of the Crown Lands Board held on Thursday last. Mr. W. I'. Moat, M.H.R., who is also a member of the Lands Board, has interested himself largely in getting the request of the settlers granted, and lie telegraphed to the Minister urging the request. He received the following telegraphic reply : —

To W. P. Moat, Esq., M.H.R., Auckland : Sir,—Homestead lands : Over 20,000 acres now open in Auckland, including 5000 at Pakiri. Meanwhile the supply appears to be in excess of demand.G. F. Richardson. Mr. Moat sent the following reply : —

To the Hon. G. F. Richardson, Wellington : Sir, —Nearly all homestead lands now open in Auckland have been so for years, and are either unfit for agricultural purposes or inaccessible. It was formerly the practice here to open for homestead settlement lands which could not be disposed of in any other way, and it is the refuse of such blocks which is now available. Almost all land opened of late years though not first-class has been selected.—W. P. Moat.

He received the following final answer, under date Wellington, March 23 : —

To W. P. Moat, Esq., M.H.R., Auckland. Sir,—Referring to your telegram of the 14th instant, relative to homestead lands at present open for selection, and representing that they are either unfit for agriculture or inaccessible, I have the honour to inform you that the Government do not propose to open any more blocks at present under that system, as money must he provided for raiding. If the lands are opened at a low price the demands for settlement and road-making can be met.—G. F. Richardson, Minister of Lands.