GALATEA ESTATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21314, 15 October 1932, Page 13

GALATEA ESTATE

SETTLEMENT REQUESTED COUNTY COUNCIL'S VIEWS AVOIDING ACCUMULATED COST A case for the further development of the Galatea Estate, and the opening of the area for immediate settlement, has lieen set out by the Whakatane County Council in a communication to the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands. The letter said that considering more than £IOO,OOO was invested in the purchase and" partial development of the estate, and independent of the sad reading of the National Expenditure Commission's report regarding it, it appeared essential to practical farmers on the council that at least half of the estate should be immediately opened. It would then bo left to private enterprise to finance improvements. It was considered that the estate, in occupation, would bring about increased production,, with attendant benefit to the community, curtail the expenditure of Government overseas loan money and partially satisfy, at least, the present demand for land. Ardlussa, Remuera and other Crown estates had shown a loss of capital money, but Galatea, it was considered, could bo made a success, as local settlements such as Opouriao and Wairnana had been, if too great an expenditure in interest on purchase money and developmental and administrative charges were not incurred. Immediate opening of the portion ready for 'Settlement would be in the interests of the general taxpayer and the ultimate successful financial working of the estate. The letter drew attention to probable misrepresentation of the topography and capabilities of Galatea, and commented that such misrepresentation no doubt explained the Government's hesitant attitudo respecting the opening of the greater portion lor immediate settlement. The National Expenditure Commission's final report had stated that the development and purchase of private estates had, in several casos, meant a considerable loss of capital funds, and that, during the past two years, the cost of placing a single settler on the land had been £2BIO. It was submitted that, even disallowing the value of unemployed labour used to assist in the developmental work, there was a possibility of Galatea falling into tho same category as Remuera and Ardlussa, were further loan capital expendod, opening deferred further, and the estate allowed to carry interest on the purchase money and loss on operating costs, if any, and administrative charges until the date of selection. The council requested the Minister to consider making representations to the Cabinet with the view of opening the estate to settlers.