LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1916, Page 4

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

DEFENOE MINISTER'S STATEMENT. Mr. D. J. Hughes is in receipt of the following letter from the Minister for Defence (the Hon. Jas. Allen) Office of Minister of Defence, Wellington, May -0. 1910. D. J. Hughes, Esq., New Plymouth. Dear Sir, —When I was in New iPlj. mouth on the 25th of April last you represented to me that'land ought to be set aside in Taranaki for returned Taranaki soldiers. The matter has been placed before the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister, and I have received a report as follows: The following areas of Crown land in Taranaki Land District have been proclaimed under Section 3 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, and are now advertised open for sale or selection by discharged soldiers under the ordinary provisions of the Land Act, 1908. The date of opening is Tuesday,, June 27, 1916, and the sale poster (No. 307) is being printed. Section 3, Block 111, Piopiotea West S.D., -213 acres; Section 8, Block XI, Mahoe S.D., 807 acres; Section 3, Block 1, Mapara S.D., 348 acres; Section 11, Block VII, Omona S.D., 391 acres 2 roods; Section 13, Block VII, Pouatu S.D., 440 acres. ■ In addition, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, New Plymouth, will select the lands most suitable for settlement by discharged men from time to time as surveys are completed, and schedule them for proclamation under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915. The survcv of an area of 3000 acres in Blocks IV, Pouatu S.D., and XVI, Waro S.D., is nearly completed. This land is subdivided into, three sections and is situated about six miles from the route of the proposed Stratiord-Okahukurft railway, There is also some fair country under survey In Blocks VII, VIII, XI, and XII, Waro S.D., and it is anticipated that four or five sections of from 300 to 500 acres will be ready for offering in the spring. There Is another block of about 6000 acres near Poro-o-tarao tunnel, most of which will be suitable for discharged, men, and the survey o c another suitable fyea near (Vhangamomona has not yet been commenced. < It is difficult to find much suitable land in the remaining Crown areas in Taranaki, but the question of settling discharged men wherever possible is being kept in view by the Commissioner.— Yours faithfully. J. ALLEN, Minister for Defence, •