LAND FOR SETTLEMENT ACT.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 51

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT ACT.

• (FHOM Ouii OW2f OOHRBSPOWDEST.) • ■ WELLINGTON, July 27. .7.y° n the " L^ for Settlements Act 1894," by the land purchase inEpeetor for, the year ending March, 1900, states that 57 estates, of a total area of 331,213 acres wore offered^ during the year. Of this area 81,318 acres were declined, not recommended or aiea ot 191,830 acres Ms under consideration ~ and an area of 108,065 acres was recommended for purchase, with the result that offers were ■ SFIIkb J* U f of an aggregate area - oi 79,889 acres for. the sum of £353,718. The ' total purchases under the Land for Settlement' Act since its commencement are 77 estates TpTwIW tl™,t I ™, oi ™>™ acres, at a cost of £1 523,927 for land, and £74,165 for road iormations, surveys, and administration, in all a total of £1,598,092. It has been found a clitticult matter in some cases to obtain suitable land for workmen's homes in a, position and aU price within the means of workmen who would travel to and, from their work daily, by railways to the city. The act expires on the 14th day of the cloee of the present session, and provision is being made for its continuance in a bill consolidating the principal act and its amendments.- « *!i S « r y, ey ° r " general in his report etatea . that the following figures will show the position as at March 31 last :— Cost of estates that havo beon offered for selection, £1,4-13,149; cost of roads, surveys, administration on estates offered for selection, and preliminary expenses, £73,313 ; —total, £1,486,4-62. The lands disposed of are let at an annual rental of :072,656. The lands unlet, exclusive of roads, reserves, etc., are valued at a rental of £3671; total, £76,327. Takdng the lands actually let, it will be. seen that the rentals will pay interest on the capital expended at - the rate of 4.8 per cent., or exactly the same as for the previous year. If the unlet lands are included the interest would be at the rate of 5.1 per pent, on the capital. It is-understood that part of the capital raised on loan is paying interest at the rate of not quite 4 per cent., consequently. the estates ' are more than paying their way, even after.' ■ allowing for the arrears of rental due, which, - however, are a good asset.

The Matajra Ensign understands that, owing to continued ill-health, Constable . La.w- ! rence, formerly of Gore and Waikaia, and " latterly of Balclutha, has been obliged to resign his position in the police force.

His Excellency the Governor has revoked the warrant of February 13 appointing the Gore Borough Council as trustees for the West Gore Public Cemetery, and Messrs James Boyne, George Low. and James MacGibbon have been appointed in their stead.

Mr John M'Lean, of Redcastle, has (says tho Oainaru Mail) presented the Oamaru North School with a handsome flagstaff and a well-made British ensign. The ceremony of unfurling the flag will take place on Thursday.

The Premier's statement thai. Hie scarcity of coal -in the centres is due to the limited number of coal-carrying vessels will (says the Westport News) be taken with a, pinch of salt by those who continually see vessels waiting in the river for supplies of coal.

Two sons of Mr White, of Kaikora (Hawke's Bay) went to South Africa recently to try their fortune. On arrival at Durban Mr Duncan White went ashore, and was at once engaged for the Natal Mounted Police, and on returning^ from the ship with his baggage Algernon ctfoe with him, and was a day or two later attaohed to the African Light Horse, and at once sent" up- to, the front with Sir Redvera Buller's com-, pany.