LANDS DON SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7870, 4 August 1911, Page 9

LANDS DON SETTLEMENT

RECORD OI 1 LAST YEAR’S PURCHASES. PRICES EXCESSIVE IN THE NORTH Tho La til Purchase Board spent JC'158,798 last year in tho purchase oi 11,339 acres of land from private landholders for 'the purposes of closer settlemeat. Since tho Lands for Settlement Act came into force in 1892, the expenditure on tho purchase of land, has beer .£5.566,588, and tho area acquiree 1,253,-195 acres. FOURTEEN PURCHASES. Eighty-one properties wore offered t( tho Crown iu the year, but only lourtecr were purchased. By far tho largest num her of tho properties offered were tron Canterbury, and, although at prices considered high, still not so excessive as those demanded further north lh( board, however, did not feel justified u recommending any great area tor purchase, as the margin between tho purchasing and letting value was not considered sufficient to warrant the Stat< in accepting the responsibility or plpninf settlers upon the laud. One important transaction the board was pleased u conclude was tho exchange ot some ‘•out «icrQs ot* freehold lands belonging to tuc trustees of the late Mr J. B. Aclandj Mount Peel station, Canterbury, to? Crown lands adjoining the balance ol their freehold. These irccholds were early- selections. and “ gridironed ‘ through the Crown leaseholds; therefore it was very important that they should bo secured. In addition, tho trustees are to surrender in February next some 50.000 acres of Crown lands of which they hold tho lease i nntil 1017, and tor which they arc to receive valuation. for improvements in the shape of Crown lands and an extended lease for twenty- [ one ‘year's of some 35,100 acres, the greater proportion of which is summer country | only. The area surrendered with freeholds will provide a considerable num- . ber of excellent small runs. Since the close of the year tho Waihao Downs property, renamed tho, •‘Douglas" settlement, has been satisfactorily ciisposed of. The purchase of the Sherwood Downs estate, near Fairlio, and tho Conical Hills estate, near Tapanui, has also beep concluded. The former consists of 11.8-12 acres of freehold, nearly all agricultural, and tho lease ’ of XS.OW) acres of Crown lands adjoining. The latter contains acres, the largest proportion being good- agricultural land. Delivery of both properties will bo in February and March next. These estates wiU provide room for a considerable number of settlers, and should be largely competed for. “Xt is evident/’ the Commissioner says, “that there is an. unsatisfied demand' for land, and every endeavour is being made to meet suen; but at tho same time the interests of the Dominion, as well as of the settlers, havo to be considered.” ; ' LAND SETTLEMENT FINANCE.

Tho operations under the Laud Settle’ inent Finance Act, tho Commissioner adds, “may bo considered as highly satisiactory. The Act has really only been in existence for i\ year, and already cloven associations luiVo been incorporated, i with a membership of sixty-eight members and au area of ULxJ acres, vain, ed at *0132,803. Nino other associations arc under consideration. Ten have been declined for various reasons—a few on account of their- unsuitability, but the largest number owing to the high vaauo placed uxkui the land. There is a tendency amongst members to enter into the agreement without first, making themselves thoroughly conversant, with its provisions. Probably the desiro to get a piece of land without any great immediate outlay has something to do with this. Notwithstanding' au agreement, tho board has in nearly every instanced seemed a material reduction on the price agreed u£xm, and at the same tinib arranged foi z, more equal apportionment of tho purchase money and a bettor division of tho area. Tho amendments passed last session have simplified tho .preliminary proceedings, but there are still several defects in tho Act which should bo remedied. The intention of tho Act as regards residence is not in all cases being complied with. To effectually meet this, and at the same time to insure the expenditure of a reasonable amount on buildings, 'it- is rocom mended that a deposit not exceeding .10 per cent, of the purchase money should bo deposited at the time of application, upon the certificate of the Commissioner of Crown Lands for tho district that buildings to a like amount have boon erected, such sum or part thereof shall bo refunded as-payment towards tho cost of such buildings, any surplus to go towards reduction of purchase money. The personnel of tho members of, tho associations is highly satisfactory, and they are likely to do full justice to their allotments. Judging from the number of inquiries for information, the provisions of. the Act are becoming better known, and, as time goes on, it is anticipated that lar&o areas will bo successfully settled under this Act."