NATIVE LAND SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20761, 2 January 1931, Page 13

NATIVE LAND SCHEME.

OPERATION NEAR ROTORUA. INTERESTING UNDERTAKING* [I3Y TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] ROTORUA, Thursday. Tlio scheme of bringing native lands into occupation under tho control of Sir Apirana Ngata is iposfc interesting. A block of nativo land under tho shelter of tho great Horohoro range, facing tho north-east, is being developed on what may bo termed communistic lines. Six hundred acres aro being dealt with in this block. There are at work two parties of about 20 each, one from tho Gisborne district and tho other composed of' local natives. Tho men employed aro paid for the work done, three-fifths in cash, the remaining two-fifths being credited to them as payment for their section, so from the start they have a cash interest in the section which is being brought into cultivation. Much of tho work of brcaking-in tho land has been dono by tractor, disc harrows being used and the grass surface, sown. This practice is being watched with interest by other settlers and compared with the ploughing dono by tho Agricultural Department. The land has been laid down in grass, which is now looking very well. Tho subdivision v/ill bo into blocks of about 80 acres.

Already a number of small cottages have been erected, milking sheds will bo built, tho necessary plant provided and the land stocked. All that will remain for tho nativo settler will bo to do his work under supervision. It is also intended when fiio time arrives to erect a co-opera-tive da.'ry factory on the block, where tho milk will bo received. The supplier will receive a proportion of the butter-fat payout, and tho balanco will bo credited to his account to pay off his holding. This is or.ly a start of Sir Apirana Ngata's scheme. Thcro are thousands of acres of nativo land between this block and Rotorua, at tho most not more than 15 miles, and at tho nearest point about tlireo miles from the town. The land that is being dealt with is situated on tho right going out from Rotorua, and other native lands exist on the left.