RIFLE RANGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 205, 4 October 1900, Page 1

RIFLE RANGES.

Oh Thursday, 13th., Mr. J. W. Thorn- ' wb asked the Minister of Lands the fallowing question:—Whether, when surveying Crownlaodsor landaacqaired under the Land for Settlements Aete, he will instruct his officers to be on the look-oat for land suitable for riflemnges; that when areas which chey consider suitable are found we will withhold them from sale pending further inqeiries as to suitability; and that, when recognised as suitable, he will take steps to have them reserved permanently as rifle ranges f In support of this, Mr. Thomson said they had heard a good deal lately about the desirability of acquiring new rifle ranges, and that a large sum of money would be required for this purpose. Begret had been expressed that they had so long delayed to acquire rifle ranger, but nothing had been said as to looking out for rifle ranges in new districts. The were still going on with the work of settlement on Grown Lands and on lands acquired under the 1 Land for Settlements Acts, Probably in some of these new districts there would yet be large populations. He thoßghtjtherefore, that the GaveromenUMpShrieying new country, •hoan|(|roi!fc surveyors to be on the looK%jjjjß|ygtfreaß suitable for rifle ranges, anortbat when found these areas should be set apart permanently for this purpose just as reserves are made for schools sites and other publio purposes.—The Premier said it was a great mistake that something had not been done in the past in the direction ' indicated, but for the future iof laying off lands where large populations would hereafter exist, a general instruction would be given to reserve sites for range*. It would be necessary by legislation for the Government to get power to acquire ranges in settled districts. The question was a very 1 important one, and the Government intended to deal fully, and he hoped satisfactorily, with it,