THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9263, 17 January 1889, Page 5

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.

[BY TEMIGBAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. Mr. McKeekow, late Survoyor-Genoral, had a long interview with the Minister of Lands this morning. Mr. Percy Smith, his successor, is expected here ab an early date. I understand that the post of Assistant-Surveyor-General will not be filled iramodiately. So far as the question of the settlement of the land North of Auckland is concerned, it will still bo in the hands of Mr. Percy Smith, who is personally acquainted with all that has been done, and is the most competent judge of what is best to be done within tho limits of action which may be ordered by the Government. lam informed that thore is soaio reason to fear that the utterances of the Minister of Lands in Auckland may be misapprehended. Ho has entire sympathy with the efforts of all those in tho North or elsewhere who are endeavouring to make homes for themselves. Such persons should receive evory legitimate encouragement. The most legitimate form of aid Avould be employment in the vicinity of tho settlement. It should be understood that advances of public money could not "go on" for ever. As a matter of fact, they'could go a very short way in any case, and are as nothing compared with genuine effort made by settlers themselves. The quostions which chiefly concern lands settlement will have to bo decided by Government as a whole.