SUBDIVISION OF LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15610, 15 May 1914, Page 9

SUBDIVISION OF LAND.

GOVERNMENT'S SUCCESS. .

EVIDENCE OF FIGURES.

[BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] • ' Gisborne, Thursday. When" referring to the operations of the Land for Settlements Department, the following comparative return was quoted by the Prime Minister in his speech last eteuing. It shows the area of privatelyowned land purchased by the Government during tho last' four years, and the amount expended in tho acquisition of these lands —

The Prime Minister stated that these figures were a conclusive answer to those who said the present Government was not pursuing a vigorous closer settlement policy. In addition, an area of 75,000 acres of native land had been acquired during 1913-11, and the expenditure was £176,149, Tho area purchased for tho past year was a class of land suitable for settlement in small holdings, comprising such blocks as Porangahau, Maungamairo, Tahoraiti, and Tiratu.

Tho following figures wore quoted in connection with tho subdivisions of rural land in Hawke's Bay, as a result of operation of the increased graduated land tax. During the 12 months ended March 31, 1914, a total area of, 37,500 acres of freehold land was subdivided and disposed of. The number of subdivisions was 336, or an average of 111 acres per subdivision. Mr. Massey added that the figures for othor portions of the Dominion were not yet available.

Year. Acres. Price. 1910-1911 ... 14,399 £158,796 1911-1912 ... 44,447 £381,483 1912-1913 ... 52,098 £428,044 19LM914 ... 141,062 £560,708