SETTLEMENT OF LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20560, 10 May 1930, Page 13

SETTLEMENT OF LAND.

SCOPE FOR DEVELOPMENT.

VALUE OF KAPIRO BLOCK.

TOURS BY LEAGUE ARRANGED.

The executive of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League met yesterday, Mr. M. G. McArthur presiding.

A report was received from the Bay of Islands branch of the league reporting on the visit of (lie Minister of Lands, Hon. G. W. Forbes, and his inspection of the experimental plot of the Kapiro Land Block. It was urged in the report that there were 80,000 acres of similar Crown land available for development and that a privately developed farm in the neighbourhood was able to carry a cow to two acres. The department had stated that tho cost of developing gum lands was £25 to £4O an acre, but the local branch was prepared to develop, fence and build in the Kapiro land for £lO an acre.

Keen disappointment was expressed by the meeting that in view of tho importance of the large area under consideration the Minister had failed to take cognisance of tho development possible with this typo of land. Members also urged that since the Government was adverse to making a move in the matter, private enterprise should be given an opportunity to take land for settlement. It, was resolved that the league in its forthcoming tour should confer with the Bay of Islands branch to consider the settlement of the Kapiro Block.

Tho league expressed dissatisfaction at the Minister's rejection of the proposals made to him by the league's deputation on Tuesday, particularly of tho proposal for group settlement. " Only by using the latest developments in agricultural machinery on a large scale which could be furnished by collective capital," said Mr. N. G. Gribble, " can wo hope to settle land cheaply." Tho proposed itinerary of the forthcoming tour of members of the league was considered and approved by tho meeting. The party to tour the southern towns will comprise Messrs. W. J. Holdsworth, K. Glover-Clark and N. G. Gribble. They will leave Auckland next Monday. The towns to be visited will include Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wanganui and Wellington, in each of which meetings will be held with kindred associations.

In addition to Messrs. Holdsworth, Glover-Clark and Gribble, the party to visit the northern towns will inc'ude Messrs. H. R. Jenkins and M. G. McArthur. Tho arrangements are for tho league to visit "W'arkworth, Maungaturoto, Waipu on May ID, Dargaville on May 20, Whangarei on May 21, Ivaikohe, Okaihau and Kohukohu on May 22, and Kaitaia on May 23.