SMALL FARM PLAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21515, 12 June 1933, Page 11

SMALL FARM PLAN

AREA IN KING COUNTRY SUBDIVISION OF 1000 ACRES LAND IN RANGITOTO DISTRICT [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] TE KUITI, Saturday When in Wellington this week Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, M.P. for Waitomo, had an interview with tho Minister of Lands, tho Hon. A. E. Ransom, regarding tho Rangitoto district to the east of Te Kuiti with a view to having the suitablo Crown lands in that district cut up into small farms. Some months ago Mr. A. H. Cockayne, assistant-director of agriculture, visited the Rangitoto district and was most favourably impressed with the district as a location for a branch of a small farm scheme. Mr. C. N. Campbell, commissioner of the small farm scheme, who visited Te Kuiti recently and was taken over the district by Mr. A. B. Jordan, district valuer, was also very much impressed by the possibilities of the Rangitoto district and the other surrounding districts. He forwarded a recommendation to the Small Farm Commissioner in Wellington* In order to facilitate matters Mr. Broadfoot went to Wellington and discussed the project with tho Minister, with the result that a promiso was given that steps would be taken to deal with approximately 1000 acres. Mr. Broadfoot received a message to-day from tho Minister stating that orders had been issued for work to be started on tho necessary reading of tho property known as Wyatt's, which was acquired by tho Government in 1929. This property comprises about 1800 acres, but for a start 1000 acres will be taken in hand and cut up into 15 or 20 farms. Further development of this and other properties may be taken in hand at a later date.

In the opinion of many practical farmers there is room for enormous development in the Rangitoto district. Most of the land is ploughable, and if the steep country can be brought under an afforestation scheme, in time it will create a valuable asset and at the same time prevent the spread of noxious growths. In 1929 the Government bought between 3000 and 4000 acres of Maori land held under lease by European settlers, and the bulk of this can be cut up into small areas for closo settlement. The start being made to open up this country is of immense importance to both the town and district. The quality of the land is very much tho same as that in the Otorohanga district, but is heavier than the average Waikato land. The success of this small farm scheme is likely to lead to further development in the district. Tho Rangitoto district is well roaded, although with the subdivisions more roads will be required. There is no doubt that there will be a demand for the farms, as thero is a large number of practical farmers on relief works in and around To Kuiti. The stock taken from the Rangitoto district is of high quality and the root crops grown have been excellent. Maize, wheat and oats have also boon successfully grown. NAPIER VILLAGE SETTLEMENT PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT [from our own correspondent! NAPIER, Saturday Much of the preparatory work in connection with tho Napier village settlement scheme, under which homes on small farms are to bo established for selected unemployed men and their families, on an area of 250 acres of the Richmond Block, adjacent to tho borough of Napier, has been completed, and applications are being called for from men wishing to take advantage of the opportunity of establishing themselves and their families there. Tenders for the ploughing of the area have been called. Tho necessary protective works have already been undertaken, and the property is being surveyed for the roading and subdivision of the area. The cottages to be erected have been designed and the plans show them to be attractive dwellings. Tenders for their erection will be called at an early date. The list of conditions which is being issued to prospective settlers states that the holders of sections will be decided by a ballot of approved men among the applicants. The ballot will he to decide tho holders of 40 sections, each of approximately five acres.