LAND FOR SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21279, 5 September 1932, Page 11

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT

SUBDIVISION AT WAIKERIA EXTENSION OF AREA URGED LIMITATION CRITICISED [Fr.OM OT'R own C< )It RES VON PENT] TE AWAMUTU, Saturday The action of the Government in limiting the sub-division of the Waikeria Borstal Institute farm properly this season was criticised at a conference between representatives of local bodies and Mr. W. J. Broad foot, M.P. for the district, at To Awnmutu yesterday. The position was stated to be that the Cabinet had decided that 1500 acres should bo offered for settlement. However, itfter the ballot for a comparatively small area it was announced that no more areas wero to be made available.

After a general discussion in which much dissatisfaction was expressed the following resolution was carried unanimously :

"That this meeting, representative of Te Awamutu Borough Council, Waipa County Council, Te Awamutu ElectricPower Board, Te Awamutu Farmers' Union, Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce, Te Awamutu Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Tokanui and N T gahapo Settlers' Association, and Korakonui Settlers' Association, resolves that, in the opinion of these bodies, in the interests of the district, it is imperative that the balance of 1500 acres authorised by the Cabinet to bo subdivided should bo made available for occupation by incoming settlers not later than May, 1933, so as to enable those settlers to geL buildings and other accessories ready for the next dairying season. This should allow sufficient time to enable the improvements referred to by the Minister of Lands in his recent correspondence to be accomplished. "It is further resolved that, in the opinion of these bodies, future subdivisions should not, according to the contour and quality of the land, exceed an average of 60 acres. It is felt that the success of the first ballot for five sections indicates the number and the right type of settler applicants will offer to justify further sub-division." The conference also decided to invite the Minister of Lands, Hon. E. A. Ransom, to visit, Te Awamutu to confer with the local bodie s regarding closer settlement.

THE GALATEA ESTATE PRAISE BY A VISITOR "I was surprised to find that Galatea was not the rough country we have been made to believe, but a long plain with much reclaimed swamp land," said tho Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, at Palmerston North last week. "With comparatively little improvement, thip large area will be transformed into a thriving dairying settlement from pastures which still remain after years of neglect," Mr. Ransom continued. "One can easily conceive of its possibilities under modern intensive methods of farming." He read some extracts from a letter he had received from an experienced farmer who had visited Galatea.

"I have concluded that, the system of breaking in and trying out this ground and placing thereon approved settlers is tho correct one, and that tho policy of the Government in acquiring at a cheap rate and bringing these lands into productivity is fully justified, and that thiis work should be continued without interruption whenever circumstances will permit," stated the writer. "I have known something about the Galataa Station for about 30 years, but I had never visited until last; week. As my occupation for 30 vears has been the improvement of all classes of country ... I wish to tell you that from what I saw and heard of from unquestionable sources the Government has a first-class property in the Galatea Station. "If the land is ploughed and harrowed and rolled and sown with the right grasses and kept top dressed success is a certainty. I know of no land in New Zealand that is better suited for cutting up than this property. It is fiat, easily worked, and accessible now, and the new road certainly about doubles the value of the estate, ft will all be dairying country in a few years."