THE TEANERAKI SMALL FARM SETTLEMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 11

THE TEANERAKI SMALL FARM SETTLEMENT.

At the land ballot taken at Oamaru on 'Thursday for the Teaneraki small farm settle»ment sections the following were the successful applicants :—

OASIAB.U DISTRICT. Section 13s, block XII, 4a 3r 33p, to Johanah tDqyle, at an annual rental of 19a 2d per acre. Section 14s, block 11, 4a 3r 2sp, to Johanah Boyle, at an annual rental of 19a 2d per acre. Section 15s, block XII, 10 acres, to Catherine Darragh, at an annual rental of 18s 2d per acre. Section 16s, block XII, 10 acres, to Catherine Darragh, at an annual rental of 18s 2d per acre. Section 18s, block XII, 9a 7r 33p, to Minnie Taylor, at an annual rental of 19s 2d per acre. AWAMOKO DISTRICT. Section 265, block VIII, 20 acres, to Alexander MAuley, at an annual rental of 14a 2d per acre. Section 28s, block VIII, 20 acres, to John Gordon Allen, at an annual rental of 17s 2d per acre. Commenting on the experiment, the North Obago Times says: — " When it is known that nine allotments of laud on the Teaueraki block (and these the smallest areas) have bsen applied for out of 31, it will be assumed that there is an absolute rush for land —at 19a 2d an acre. For these nine areas there were 10 applications, and the officers of the Land department who visited Oamaru had the arduous duty of balloting for one area. The purchase of the Teaneraki block plainly shows that the Government cannot purchase good freehold land for settlement. Before the land is surveyed, roaded, and generally turned inside out a considerable sum is added to its already high value, which the tenants are supposed to pay the interest on. We should like to know from the Minister for Lands if he thinks it possible for a tenant to pay 19s 2d an acre (with improvement conditions) and make a profit out of the transaction. It is not likely that our suggestion will be adopted, but still we make it, and it is that the upsets for the land not applied for be reduced to from 10s to 12s 6d an acre, and that it be offered again. Of course there would be a large yearly loss to the State, but in any case there will be that, and it is best to face the situation at once. There is no use disguising the fact that the rents are far too high, and that the purchase is a mistake."