CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13708, 26 March 1908, Page 6

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

AUCKLAND CROWN LANDS

NUMEROUS APPLICATIONS.

Applications for the 16,993 acres which have been thrown open for selection in the Auckland district, and particulars of which wore published in the Herald of the 13th in.st., closed at the Crown Lands Office yesterday. Though the exact, number received ' will not bo known until to-day, it is anticipated that they will total between 700 and 800, which is considered highly satisfactory. The- most, coveted sections appear to he those in the Kawhia and Waitomo Counties. Ballots will take place on the 26th and 31st inst. A number of other sections, comprising some 3083 acres, have also been thrown open for selection untie]- the optional system in the Waitomo, Waipa, Kawhia, and Opotiki Counties. . Applications for these close on April 15, and on April 24 a ballot will be taken. The particulars of the different sections offered are as follows: — Waitomo County: Sections 1. 2, and 3, Olanake survey district, 257, 311, and 471 acres respectively, first-class land, broken country suitable for pastoral purposes. Section 1 has about 100 acres fern, with patches of grass and rough feed through it; section 2, 50 aces, and section 3, 30 acres, fern land ; balance of both sections covered with heavy, mixed forest. Section 7, Block 11., Otanake survey district, 164 acres, first-class land, with about 70 acres in mixed forest, and the balance in 6 Waipa County: Section 212, Pukete parish, 15 acres, first-class land; sections 89 and 91, Karamea parish, 50 and 36 acres respectively, second-class land. Kawhia. County: Section 5. Block XVI., Kawhia. North survey district, 382 acres, second-class land, undulating and broken Opotiki County: Section 7, Block IV., Waioeka survey district, 1327 acres, of broken second-class land, covered with fairly heavy mixed forest; section 164, Waimana pariah, 69 acres, of second-class land, most of which is broken, and covered with fern and scrub. THE OTEKAIKE SECTIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION] Duneuin". Wednesday. Sections in the Otekaike Settlement, comprising 6280 acres, advertised by the Government; as open for public application on April 7, have been withdrawn from selection pending the decision of the Court of Appeal on the application by McKellar and Mitchell for mandamus and injunction in respect to certain sections which it is alleged have already been allotted in terms' of the Act, by the Land Board, and sanctioned by the Minister, to plaintiffs. TE ARAI ESTATE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Gisborne, Wednesday. The local Lands Office was besieged all day to-day with applicants respecting the Te Arai Settlement, which is to be disposed of by ballot on Friday. The Commissioner of Crown Lands for Hawke's Bay (Mr. H. Trent) arrived from Napier this morning, accompanied by Messrs. Hyde and Eustace Lane, members of the Land Board. The applicants will appear before the Board to-morrow for examination. ,