SIX THOUSAND FARMS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15595, 11 August 1921, Page 8

SIX THOUSAND FARMS.

THE CEEWKRA LANDS. SETTLEMENT l,\ SB HIT. WELLINGTON, Aug. U.— The negotiations bet ween Hie Governmeul and Iho natives regarding the Lrcwera lauds are making very good progress, and is stems certain now that- the .sthenic' of consolidation will be adopted. Some of the tribes have already agreed. and the others are showing a, decided disposition lo come to terms with the Government. The negotiations have been protracted. Tlif'V began more I ban a year ago, when the'Minister for Lands, the Hon. D. H.< Guthrie, suggested consolidation to the native owners, and Ihey have required a great, deal of patience and effort. The. result, will tie the opening of (he t'rewera country for settlement and (he solution of (be outstanding problem of the native land question. One result of Ibe recent negotiations has been (o cause some additional native owners to come forward as sellers. Ithas been the policy of (he Government for years past In buy all the interests! that were, offered in 'the. llrewera, and the Government's purchases amount I'o a. tolal area of about'33o,ooo acres, leaving Koine 180,000 acres in Hie hands of Maoris. It■. appeared a year ago I batVirtually the limit of purchase had be; n reached, all the 1 remaining owners bung non-sellers, but-'additional sellers are now appearing. The Government is prepivcd still to buy all (he land that iss offer; ing in Ibe [Jrew'era. The Maoris ht'tVe agreed lo give. I lie Government 20,000 acres of land as their Contribution toward Ibe roading of Ihe llrewera. c'ountry. The roading will be a fairly expensive business, and rai nr.illy if: will'add greatly lo Ihe Value of Ibe land that- remains in the hands of (he Maoris, who are nol generally in a position to pay in cash their share of (be cost. If is anticipated thai Ihe remaining Maori interests will be concent rated into, three blocks, and, as- 'already announced, if is i lie intention of Ihe Gov eminent |o proceed with the individa.ilis.ilion of lilies in these blocks, so lhaf the natives may lie in a ptfirition to occupy and develop I heir land. The set dement' of the Government purchases in the Crewera will he one of the greatest oneral ions of Hie kind' ever taken in band in Ibis country. ' The Lands Department, will have some-o*so.o-f/0 a'res to dispose of, and il is anticipated that, the holdings Will be from 3CO aires to 1000 a.res in area. There will be sections for over 6000 settlers, and the Minister for Lands hopes to he able to make the seclionn available with very little delay after the negotiations with the Maori? l have reached finality.

The Ureweia country is capable of carrying a large amount -of profit able .settlement, and of a'ddirig appreciably to the production of the Dominion. -