The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1911. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 7, 24 August 1911, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1911. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

In n paper presented to Parliament the Land Purchase Inspector reports on the operations of the Lands for Settlement Act and the Land Settlement Finance Act up to the 31st March, 1911. He states that during the period there wore oighty-ono properties (containing 350,708 acres) offered, of which fourteen (containing 11,399 acres) were purchased, and nearly all have been taken delivery of and settled. The actual expenditure was £158,796, making a total of £5.566,588 since the Act came into operation in 1892, for the purchase of estates containing 1,252,195 acres. By far the largest number of the properties offered were from Canterbury, ■and, although at prices considered high, still not so excessive as those demanded further north. The Board, however, did not feel justified ie. recommending any great area for purchase, as the margin between the purchasing and lotting value was not considered sufficient to warrant the State accepting the responsibility of placing settlers upon the land. One important transaction the Board was pleased to conclude was the exchange of some 2500 acres of freehold lands belonging to the trustees of the late Mr J. 13. Ada ml, Mount Peel Station, Canterbury, for Crown lands adjoining the balance of their freehold. These freeholds were early selections, and “gridironed” through the Crown leaseholds; therefore it was very important they should be secured. In addition the trustees are to surrender in February next some 50,000 acres of Crown lands of which they hold the lease until 1917, and for which, they are to receive, valuation for improvements iii the shape of Crown lauds and an extended lease for twenty-one years of some 35,100 acres, the greater proportion of which is summer country only. The am? surrendered with freeholds will provide a considerable number of excellent small runs. Since the dose of the year the Wai-

han Downs property, renamed the “Donylas” Srttlf'inout, lias licon satisfactorily disposed of. The purchase of the Sherwood Downs Kstale, near Kairiie, and the Conical Hills Estate, near Tapamii, has also been cencluded. The funner consists of ILHI2 acres of freehold, nearly all iurrioulliii’id, and the les.se of Id,ooo acres af Crov/n lands, adjoining. The latter contains lO.dlX acres, the laryest pi'Ci p() rt! 011 heiny yood ayrienltnral land. Delivery of hath properties will he in Deb many and March neat, i'iiese estates will provide room Tor

a considerable number of settlers, and should he largely competed for. It is evident that there is an vmsal is tied demand for land, and every endeavour is beiny inane to meet s.uch ; hut at the same time the interests of the .Dominion, as well as of the settlers, have to he considered. The operations under the Land Settlement hi-

nance Act may bo comidcrod •as highly satisfactory. Ihe Act has really only boon in existence lor a year, and already cloven associations have boon inocrpoineed, with a membership of sixty-eight members and an

iron of 9153 acres, valued at £ 132,302. There arc nine other associations under consideration. Some ten have been declined for various rea-

sons—a few on account of their taxsuitability, but the largest number owing, to the high value placed upon the. hllid. There is a tendency amongst members to enter into the agreement without first making themselves thoroughly conversant with its provisions. Probably the desire to get a piece or land without any great immediate outlay has something to do with this. Notwithstanding an agreement, the Board lias in nearly every instance secured a .material reduction on the price agreed upon, and at the same time arranged for a more equal apportionment of the purchase money and a better divison of the area. The

amendments passed last session have simplified the preliminary proceedings, hut there are still several detects in the Act which should be remedied. The Board finds that the intention of the Act as regards residence is not in all cases being com-, plied with. To effectually meet this, and at the same time to, ensure the

expenditure of a reasonable amount on buildings, it is recommended that a deposit not exceeding 10 per cent of. the purchase money should be deposited at the time of application, and, upon the certificate of the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district that buildings to a like amount have been erected, such sum or part thereof shall be refunded as paymenttowards the cost of such buildings, any surplus to go towards reduction' cf purchase money. It is pleasing to say that the personnel of the members of the association is in the opinion of the Board, highly satisfactory, and that they are likely to do full justice to their allottments. Judging from the number of inquiries for information, the provisions of the Act are becoming bettor known. Therefore, as time goes on, it is anticipated that large areas will bo successfully settled under this Act.