TE AKAU BLOCK BALLOT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14188, 11 October 1909, Page 6

TE AKAU BLOCK BALLOT.

KEEN COMPETITION FOR SECTIONS. PREFERENCE TO THE LANDLESS. The number of applications lodged at the Lands Office, Auckland, up to Saturday, in connection with the opening to selection of the Te Akau Block, was approximately 500. There are nine lots of firstclass land and 21 of second class. Mr. Munroe, of the Lands Department left Auckland for Ngaruawahia on Saturday, to receive further applications at that centre. The time for closing at both places is four p.m. today, and the ballot will be taken on Friday, in the Public Hall, Ngaruawahia. On the day preceding that, however, the Land Board will meet at Ngaruawahia to examine the applications, and it is understood that the Board intends to rigidly adhere to the provision for the giving of preference to landless applicants. -.

It is provided by section 103 of the Land Act, 1908, that all application!, must be accompanied by particulars of the area, if any, of land already held by the applicant, together with the tenure and capital value of same. In applying for rural land for occupation with right of purchase, the applicant must state what land is held by his or her wife or husband, as the case may be. Applicants are not regarded as landless if their husbands or wife hold landed interests. In the case of married persons, it must also bo stated whether land already held is sufficient for the maintenance of the applicant's family. Applicants are also asked to state if they have competed unsuccessfully at any other land ballot; or whether they have been successful in any previous ballot. Lastly, applicants are asked to state generally their experience in farming and their capability to take up and work an unimproved section. This information has an important bearing upon the decision of the Land Board in granting preference. The Board will, doubtless, be set a big task in sifting the applications for the ballot.