CROWN LANDS

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 18

CROWN LANDS

COMMISSIONER S REPORT. WELLINGTON, August 20. Reporting upon Crown lands in Otago during the past year, Mr N. C. Kensington, Commissioner of Crown Lands, says: “The conditions during the past year in the Otago Land District have been only fair as regards climatic conditions and production. In the southern part of*the district a good deal of snow fell in the months of August and September, and lay on the flat country for a considerable time. Wet and showery weather was experienced through the-spring and on till January. The result was that many farmers found it difficult to get in their turnip crops, and extra turnips will in some cases have to be bought to supplement partial failures.

“Dry conditions were experienced generally in North Otago, but notwithstanding this, the wheat crops have turned out remarkably well. Large areas are being prepared for the coming season, and a considerable increase in the area put down in wheat in the Otago district can be expected. This is accounted for by the fact that the growers of wheat were in the fortunate position of being among the few who showed a good profit during the past slump year; but the majority ot farmers recognise that they are not likely to obtain the same price next season as in the past. “The slump prices for butter-fat, wool, lambs,' and surplus stock have created in Otago, in common with other districts, an unprecedented state of affairs. It is unnecessary to dwell on this phase of farming difficulties; suffice it to say that the Land Board is prepared to recommend relief in all reasonable eases, and 1 think it can be said that mortgagees' and mercantile firms are prepared to extend equally sympathetic treatment.”