SOLDIERS' FARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25300, 6 September 1945, Page 7

SOLDIERS' FARMS

LABGE AEEAS ACQUIRED

PREPARING FOR SETTLEMENT (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The compulsory acquisition by the Oiwvn for the settlement of ex-service-men of a property of 2593 a ores at Rerewhakaitu, near Rotorua, owned by Sir Ernest Davis and two others is referred to in the annual report of the Lands and Survey Department which has been tabled in the House of Representatives. The property is to be developed for dairying and the amount of the compensation has yet to be fixed. The power to take land compulsorily under Part 2 of the Act if it is suitable for subdivision, but leaving the owner an economic holding if he so desires, has been operated sparingly, according to the report, and only two properties, totalling .'3830 acres, have thus been acquired. Notice of intention to take over a further five properties, of a total area of 6312 acres, also has been given. Although this part of the Act lias been little used, the fact that it exists has had an important effect, states tho report. Landowners have, been the more ready voluntarily to offer to sell their properties and the Grown has been enabled to conclude the purchase of a satisfactory number of properties by private treaty. Tho right given to tho Crown under section 51 of the Servicemen's Settlement and Land Sales Aci to intervene in an application to sell farm lands has been exercised in 89 cases, resulting in the acquisition o! 26,302 acres capable of settling 130 servicemen. The greatest single factor delaying the subdivision and settlement of land by ex-servicemen is stated to be the difficulty in erecting buildings. However some progress has been made by the Department of Housing Construction and it is estimated that approximately 250 holdings will be made available shortly for disposal by ballot. Buildings will not be available in all cases, but where they are not, successful applicants will be given employment pending the erection of buildings. Some of the larger properties and the purchase prices in the Auckland Province were: Kstatc of W. H. Reid Walton, 2020 acres, £37,500; T. M. Chambers, C. N. H. Worker and E. W. R. Leslie. Tokoroa, 2945 acres, £32.149; Finance Corporation of New Zealand, Reporoa, 9836 acres, £38,000; est at* of A. Hell, Helensville, 4600 acres,* £27,750; Parker Bros., Oknhukura, 9041 acres, £25.000; T. M. Hall, Hamilton. 299 acres, £19,468; Bank of New Zenland, Te Kuiti, 1254 acres, £17,84(J; C. W. Cower, Taupiri, 734 acres, £17,840; Logan Land Co., Tokoroa. 334 acres, £6346.