LAND SETTLEMENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18484, 24 August 1934, Page 7

LAND SETTLEMENT

LAST YEAR’S OPERATIONS 21,000 ACRES LAID DOWN PROFIT FROM GALATEA (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. ■That a substantial profit resulted from the running of the Galatea block a, i a station last, rear is indicated in the course of the Budget statement presented 'to tho House of Representatives fast evening by the Minister of Finance, the Rt. lion. ,T. G. Coates, who made a brief review of land settlement operations during the year. Satisfactory progress lias been made with the development of various blocks under the supervision of the Lands Development. Board. As a result of the activities in this connection, an area of approximately 21,G00 acres of previously unproductive land has now been laid down iii grass, and, upon completion of the development work which has been authorised, some three hundred new holdings will have been created. Tire total expenditure to March 31 last on development purposes was £305,000, which amount included the cost of the surface development of 13 blocks and the survey and roading of 34 blocks, containing 2D2 sections where the settlors 'themselves have attended to the development with assistance front the board bv way of loans.

In connection with the Lands Development Boiird’s activities in the matter of granting loans to Crown tenants on undeveloped areas for improvements and live stock, the number assisted as at March 31 last was 455, and the loans involved totalled £183,000. MAORI LAND SCHEMES Much interest, 'has been .aroused in the Lands Development Board’s operations in connection with the preparation of the Galatea settlement for occupation. It had been intended to offer for'selection during this year some 20 sections; but the uncertain situation in regard to the dairying industry has caused the. offering of these sections to be postponed. In the meantime, arrangements have been made to utilise 10 available sections for dairying on a share-milking basis. This action will defer the permanent settlement of the land pending more stable economic conditions, and enable the board to. exercise control over the management of the new pasture. The remainder of the settlement is being run as a sheep and cattle station. After meeting interest, on the total capital invested in the' block ,and in the live stock thereon, a substantial profit resulted from the working of the station last year, . ■*.

•During the year good progress was also made jn the development of native lands for subdivision and settlement by members of the native race. In addition, where native lands are scattered in small areas, the work of development .has been continued successfully under the system of supervision and assistance to units or family groups. Up to March 31 last the total amount expended on schemes and unit farms was approximately £715,000, but as receipts amounted to £136,000 and subsidies from the Unemployment Board to £73,000, the net expenditure was £506,000. The number of adult 'Maoris living permanently on the lands developed or improved is 3600, and the children dependent upon them 4745.