INFERIOR GUM LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19778, 27 October 1927, Page 13

INFERIOR GUM LAND.

NEW SETTLEMENT SCHEME. I * ~ THE RIVERHEAD SECTIONS* SELECTION OF APPLICANTS ANOTHER BLOCK IN VIEW, The allotment of five out of eight sections of the Riverhead block is the first step in the settlement of inferior lands under the legislation of 1926 in the North Auckland Land District. Already an area of pumice country has been so disposed of in the South Auckland district. Thus both land boards have made a practical start with a scheme that carries great possibilities It makes an alluring appeal to the imagination, because it means free land provided the conditions are observedThose who are familiar- with the Land Guide know there is much land that may be obtained at the nominal value of 10s an acre and, of course, a charge of 10s an acre for the Riverhead sections, which vary from 100 to 130 acres, would not make much difference to the ultimate prospects of the settlers. In both cases the fact of the matter is that the land has practically no unimproved value, and that when developed it is not likely to be worth more than the cost of its development. This, however, does not deny the undoubted promise of inferior land of the North, which responds so wonderfully to fertilisers and cultivation, or the reasonable hope of the new Riverhead settlers that after the initial struggle is over and their places acquire "heart," a fairly comfortable prospect will lie before them. History ol the Legislation. The settlement of inferior lands has long been the dream of governments. As far back as 1870 the Auckland Waste Lands Amendment Acf. was passed authorising the Auckland Land Board, with the assent of the Governor, to dispose of land under the homestead system. This was repealed in 1892, but was re-enacted in 1819 v when provision was made for the special settlement of inferior land. It authorised the raising of £1,000,000 a year for the purpose of assisting any licensee in the development and profitable occupation of such land. Last year this Act was amended by repealing the provision for making advances for improvements, etc., and authorising the issue of titles to holders of sections proclaimed under the Act provided they carried out improvements extending over six years. It is under this section that the Riverhead block has been opened. The obligations are that in six years the holders will have to clear, cultivate and lay down in permanent grasses and clovers half their area and place on their sections permanent improvements to the value of at least 30s an acre. Upon completion of these conditions the holder becomes entitled to the fee simple of the land.

Free Bonding. ' Actually the settleft will benefit to the extent of about £2OOO for roading. This will be roughly the cost of providing clay road access to the sections which will not be loaded with the amount This reading will be carried out next summer The work was purposely delayed so that the selected settlers might be employed upon it to help them in the first season after taking up the land For such settlement certain qualifications are essential, and the Land Board requires to be satisfied not only as to the financial resources cf applicants, but also as to their experience. Of the "25 applicants for the Riverhead block about half were considered unsuitable, either because of lack of capital or of practical qualifications Some who applied had not seen the land, and for that; reason they were not considered, the attitude of "the board being that an applicant must know what be is prepared to attempt and, further, that a knowledge of gum land and its treatment is essen-r tial. There were, however, a number of settlers of an exceptionally suitable tjpe, and practically all who participated in the ballot wore men who had a sound knowledge of gum land. The successful ones included two or three young men who were born and bred in the district, and thus ought to be particularly well qualified in dealing with .their land. Mainly Ploughabie, The land over which the gum-diggers of former days operated is considered to be of rather better quality than that of Puwsra, near Wh&ngarei, where great success has been achieved by the Depart* ment of Agriculture in turning wet pipeclay land into good pasture country. The bulk of it is plongnable, ivnd labour and fertilisers can make i£. good dairy farms. A considerable amount of the inferior gum lands most suitable for settlement on this plan is not available, it being held as kauri gum reserves, and the time appears to be approaching when this "tapu" should be lifted from some of them, and their permanent settlement made possible In the meantime the Land Board is considering the question of throwing open for settlement upon the same terms as the Riverhead block an area near Whangarej