FOR SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15301, 24 August 1920, Page 5

FOR SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

OPOU OFFERED TO GOVERNMENT

Mr. John Clark's* well-known Opon i>roperty, comprising about 2000 acres, has been offered to tbe Government for soldier settlement. Opou is situated across ihe Matawhero bridge, about seven miles from Gisborne. and comprises some of the pick of the Poverty Bay flats, and somo of tho finest land m the Dominion. It is estimated that the property would provide for about SO to 100 settlers. Its sub-division for closer settlement purposes would undoubtedly be of the greatest importance to the district. . Opou extends from the Patutahi road io Manutuke. Its jntrchasc and subdivision have been the subject of, agitation from lime to time for many years past. The o\vner Mr. Clark; has now agreed to plare thc property under offer to the Govornument, the, prce, it is understood, being m the neighborhood of £100 per acre. The executive of thc Gisborne . Returned Soldiers' Association has decided to petition the Oovernment, through the Minister of Lands and the local members of Parliament, urging the purchase oi the property for the settlement of discharged soldiers. The Dominion executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association at Wellington is also taking the matter up m the interests of returned soldiers ffonerally. and a big effort is being made ao impress the Government' with the great importance which the opportunity now presents. - '.'.-■ Speaking to ,a Herald representative today. Mr. G". Darton, president of the Oisiiorne U.S.A., said the area was eminently suitable for the settlement of the men on the land m all branches of farm .-md agricultural life. It was all rich ■flats, and New Zealand contained no bettor, its purchase and sub-division had been advocated from time to time for years back, aiid m the interests of the p i-og rc-ss an d .fut vre wolf aro of the di strier the purchase of Opou would be sin nf greatest importance. lie trusted tnl/it other local organisations would back «p their recommendations m connection with the matter.