LAND SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21099, 5 February 1932, Page 11

LAND SETTLEMENT.

PAST YEAR'S OPERATIONS.

PURCHASE OF ESTATES.

TOTAL OF £348,792 EXPENDED

A statement' upon land settlement during the year ended on December 31 last has been issued by the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands. The selections of rural lands on permanent tenures totalled 509, accounting for 139.450 acres. For 1930 the selections were 607 and tho total area settled 156.186 acres. These lands comprise both areas which have been offered for the first time and areas which have become available for reoffering for various reasons. Tho figures for entirely new rural areas settled are interesting also. The total number of new sections selected was 276 and the total acreage 52,048. These compare with the 316 new sections; aggre- j gating 74,076 acres, selected in 1930. The bulk of the land involved was in the Auckland Province. The number of privafely-owned properties acquired during 1931 totalled- 25. Tho total price was £348,792 and the acreage 63,261. Prospective subdivisions are estimated at 225. In 1930, 21 properties of a total area of 39,587 acres were purchased at a cost of £348,788. Prospective subdivisions totalled 100. "Good progress," states the Minister, "is being made in the development of various blocks of Crown land, but the scheme has not yet reached tho stage at which permanent settlers are being placed on areas developed by the State. At present development work is in progress on 11 blocks, totalling a little ovei 70,000 acres, of which over 31,000 acres are being developed. Twelve thousand acres have been cleared, 7800 acres cultivated and 5000 acres laid down in grass. Authorised expenditure amounts to £269,000, of which over £IIO.OOO has actually been expended. It is estimated that these development areas will provide 260 holdings, practically all of which will be devoted to dairying." The settlers placed on undeveloped Grown lands—the term "undeveloped covers lands the greater part of which is unimproved as well as wholly unimproved sections—totalled 284, representing an area of 63,701 acres. I'or 1930 the number was 345 and the acreage 79,531. The Minister claims that the principal activities have been in the development by the State of virgin Crown land, plus the selection of undeveloped land by settlers. "With regard to tho acquisition of private estates for closer settlement," concludes the Minister, "a feature of the year's operations was the purchase, and particularly that of Galatea, of several estates offering scope for development by the" Crown prior to opening the land for selection. Land purchaso operations in general are surrounded by many difficulties at the present time and are being kept under strict control. It seems probable that for some time at least operations will bo confined chiefly to tjie acquisition of suitable areas on behalf of approved applicants under part 11. of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1928."