CROWN LANDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22368, 15 September 1934, Page 3

CROWN LANDS

REPORT OF DEPARTMENT YEAR’S OPERATIONS REVIEWED In his report, which was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday, the Minister of Lands (Mr E. A. Ransom) deals as follows with the past year’s operations of the Lands Department. The aim of the department, he says, lias been to keep deserving tenants on their holdings, and, at the same time, steady progress has been made with the development of suitable land with a view to making new areas available for selection. Selections of Crown and settlement lands on all tenures during the year totalled 285,160 acres. This subject is dealt with more fully at a later stage of this report. At March 31 the tenants on the books of the department numbered 37,758, occupying a total area of over 19,000,000 acres. Pastoral runs account for nearly 9,000,000 acres, while 1,876,058 acres of purchased estates are. held under lease under the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act. LAND DEVELOPMENT. The Lands Development Board has not authorised developmental work on any new' blocks of land during the year, operations being confined to areas on which work had already been commenced. It had been hoped to dispose of 20 dairy farms on the Galatea Estate, and 21 dairy farms on the Ngakuru block, to enable selectors to commence operations, during the forthcoming season, but the uncertain outlook in respect to the dairy industry has precluded attainment of this project. In the meantime, share milkers will he established on the available dairying land on the Galatea Estate, and the pasture on the Ngakuru block, additional to that comprising the 12 share milking farms and the demonstration farm, will be grazed by the department. 1 The satisfactory prices ruling during the year for stock and wool have enabled the board to realise profits in respect to farming operations undertaken on all the blocks where sheep comprise the major portion of stock carried, after allowing for interest on the purchase price of the land and the cost of developmental work. New loans to Crown tenants under the provisions of the Act have been granted in 50 cases, but additional loans for improvements and for live stock and chattels have been approved also. A total of 455 tenants have now been assisted, loans approved totalling £IBB,OOB. DISTRICT REPORTS The report also contains statements from commissioners of Crown lands in the various land districts of the Dominion. OTAGO The commissioner of Crown lands in Otago (Mr N. C. Kensington) reports as follow's: — The Otago District, with its large areas of pastoral country, has received the full benefit of the sharp rise in wool, which has been reflected in the good prices obtained for Surplus stock. In addition, the excellent climatic conditions which prevailed produced abundance of feed, with the result that there is no fear of stock going short this winter.

In all parts of tlie district heavy rape and turnip crops arc reported, and in North Otago the abnormal growth is far ahead of crops for many seasons past, as beneficial rains have been general in that part of the district since the new year. Unfortunately for the wheat crops, the early summer was dry, and a set-balk resulted, and, although revived by later rain, lighter crops were reported, and with the delayed harvest a good deal of damaged wheat is in evidence. Difficulty was also experienced in harvesting the pea crops in North Otago, and, although the potato crop is fair, blight has become apparent in some crops. In Central Otago a late frost in the fruit-growing area had a disastrous effect; most fruit crops were entirely wiped out, consequently orchardists in the affected areas find themselves in a very difficult financial position, having in many cases booked the working-costs of the orchard against the anticipated yield. The rabbit nuisance has been very apparent in nearly all parts of the district, the pest having increased during the past difficult years; but with the rise in the price of rabbit skins it is anticipated that the increase will be stayed and the pest reduced to reasonable limits.

The difficult position of the dairy farmer has been keenly felt in parts of South Otago, and the small mixed farmer in that part of the district is deserving of the fullest assistance that can reasonably be extended. With this exception, however, it can confidently be stated that the general rise in wool and lamb prices has had a very heartening effect on the majority of Crown tenants. SOUTHLAND Mr B. C. M'Cabe (Crown lands commissioner in Southlatid) reports:— Favourable climatic conditions have been experienced throughout the district during the past season, and a splendid growth of pasture has been maintained throughout the growing season. With the exception of a severe snowstorm in April, the run country experienced a favourable winter, and, except in isolated cases, no heavy losses of sheep were experienced. A heavy lambing was experienced, and lambs have again fattened well. The season has been too wet to suit grain growing, and very few oats, in particular, will grade as firsts. Large numbers of rabbits have been trapped for export, while fumigation and poisoning arc now being carried out to an increasing extent, but up to the present little impression has been made on this pest, which is becoming an increasingly serious problem for Southland.

Dairymen have experienced a most disappointing season, as, although production has been satisfactory, the extremely low price received for butterfat has made the carrying on of a dairy farm extremely difficult. On the other hand, sheep farmers have experienced a very substantial rise in the value of their products, and this has been reflected in, receipts on account of rent and interest, these items showing a large increase over receipts for each of the last two seasons.

Stock should go into the winter in first-class condition, and, although the turnip crop is not as satisfactory as usual, there should be pimple feed available to carry the animals over until the spring growth commences. Concessions have again been granted in many cases to help carry farmers over the difficulties they arc facing, and it is evident that substantial assistance must still be given to farmers dependent entirely on dairying. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT Mr N. C. Kensington reports as follows: No new areas were opened for selection under the Land for Settlements Act, and the majority of settlements purchased are in the northern part of this district. It is fortunate that most of the settlers .on these settlements carry a fair number of ewes, so that the rise in wool and lamb prices has been of material benefit. On present prices

grain growing, for which North Otago is particularly suited, is not a payable proposition. Mr B. C. SrCabe reports as follows : No new estates were purchased in this district during the year. The position of many settlers on land-for-settlement estates shows no improvement, owing to the continued low prices being recevied for butter-fat.