THE LAND HUNGER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14109, 10 July 1909, Page 5

THE LAND HUNGER.

FOUR HUNDRED. SECTIONS.

ADVANCES FOR CLEARING.

[fit TELEGR.U'H— CORRESPONDENT.]

• ■ ' Wellington, Friday. "It. has been finally decided," said th& Acting-Minister for Lands (the Hon. D. Buddo) to a Post reporter this afternoon, "to have 400 sections prepared under the improved farm , settlement regulations. The lands that are. suitable for this purpose are i reasonably near the railway, or harbour, and are in the Wellington, Taraflaki, and Auckland provinces. The area available, for each settler will bo from 100 to 200 acres, according to the quality of the land.

"It is not intended to make'a distinction between retrenched Civil servants, general workers, or others, who may apply for these improved farm settlement lands. The Commissioners of Crown Lands will receive applications from all classes of people, and then the various land boards, as empowered by regulations, will select those applicants who are eligible to ballot for choice of sections.

"The principal point in connection with this system is the fact that the. Government advance money to enable, the settlors to clear their lands and bring them into profitable occupation. Each class of land will be carefully scheduled, so that the advances will be made in proportion to the work to be done. For instance, open land-would not cost so much to bring into occupation as fern or bush land, and, in such cases, of course, the advances will be less. The advance will be sufficient to cover the cost of clearing 50 acres, and the settler will also be allowed funds to assist him in building and fencing the homestead. The regulations are stringent in regard to residence and transfer, and arc. devised to ensure that the land shall only bo taken up by bonafide settlers. It is expected that these sections will be open for selection early in the spring, and the Commissioners of Crown Lands are at present engaged in the necessary work of preparation, with a view, to their being opened' for selection at that time." . TE AKAU BLOCK. [BY telegram.—press association.] - Wellington. Friday.

Information supplied by the Native Minister (the Hon. J. Carroll) shows that an officer is at present making further valuations of interest in respect of the Te Akau Block area, which the Government is acquiring from the native owners. About 10,000 acres are concerned, and it is reckoned that the valuation will" be in Wellington in about 10 days' time, when an officer will be detailed to complete the purchase arrangements. About 13,000 acres of this block have already been acquired, and are now being roaded, prior to settlement. A total of 51,619 acres in the North of Auckland and 134,153

acres in various parts of the King Country have also been passed for general settlement, and will be disposed of in equal parts by sale and lease.