LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

Otago Witness, Volume 06, Issue 2899, 6 October 1909, Page 11

LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT .

THE TE AKAL' BLOCK

(From Qra Own Ccp-eesposdext.) }VELUS'~yrO'S. F-ptember 28. In addition to the 15.^00 acne of th? Te Akau bloik. north of R;i:rhr>, which .ire now op.^i f-," >- '1-ttio:;. tliu Lir.-ds Oepaitment hns ju.-t, pi'iclia^d froi.i the Native owners fin. t'rer 15. C00 acres, wh ; "h ■will bo throvni open us .-oon as tkp preliminary woi k o{ surveying and ro.idii.sr can be carried out. As th-ere are no roade through the block* at present, it is expected that the land will not be ready for the *ettk*is until ifxt spring. The total area eff 30,000 acres acquired for {■ettlement purpopcs on the optional system comprises the Lest portion of the whole Te Akau I lock, and lies all together in its southern portion. An area of 60,000 acres remains in the hands of thu Natives. Thcrs scorns to liav-e been som-s Tni-sapprehertrion about the terms of application, but they aie merely tli-s us-ual terms for ballots under the optional system. An intending «ttler may apply for any number of factions so as to improve his chances at the ballot, but may only take ut> one unless the Land Board has previously derided that in special circumstances two adjacent sections may be taken up by one selector. It is not expected tliat this will be the case at Te Akau. as keen competition for the sections -is anticipated. If a person who ha/> applied for, say, two blocks draws the first at the ballot, he must decide immediately whether he will take it or

* not. That is to cay," h© cannot wait to, ©cc how he fares ia regard to the other, , which, perhaps, is tho one l*e would • prefer.