LAND SETTLEMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1930, Page 7

LAND SETTLEMENT

ACTIVITIES OF. THE YEAR. SELECTIONS OF CROWN AREAS. A total of 402,900 acres was taken up on various tenures during the year, states the annual .report on the settlement of . Crown lands presented in the House of Representatives. The number of selections was 2091 under all headings. These included some 728 .. sections, comprising altogether an area of 88,859 acres, taken up under miscellaneous leases and licenses, so that the. selections on permanent tenures numbered 1363. sections, covering a total area of 314,041 acres. The following table .gives the selections of Crown lands under all tenures for the last five years:—

The great importance of bringing many, areas of 'Crown land's at present lying idle into a state of productivity is fully recognised, and with this end in view itis intended to utilise the provisions of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1929,, for the development and settlement of such areas in all suitable cases, says the report. Before the' close of the year under review a great deal of preliminary work was carried out. The necessary regulations and forms of application were prepared and printed, ac-. countancy instructions issued and other arrangements completed. The. personnel of . the Lands Develop-, ment Board, established under, the Act, was completed by the appointment by the Governor-General of Mr. J. R.

Franklin, of Wanganui, a gentleman possessing extensive experience both in the farming of ordinary land and the breaking in of undeveloped areas. The annual report on the Land for Settlements Act, 1928, was also presented. It was stated, that 804 offers of estates were considered and 24 properties were purchased. The total area acquired was 40,040 acres and the amount paid out £438,994. Included in the purchases were four properties totalling 1115 acres acquired on behalf of approved applicants under the provisions of Part 11. of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1928. Thirteen settlements were opened for general application, the number of subdivisions being 92 and the total area 17,434 acres. Included in the report was a table showing a return of land purchased and paid for during the year ended March 31 last:—■ Brinklands, 1123 acres; £17,318. Welburn 562; £20,528.' Moanaroa 1003 j £18,469. Scotston, 493; £8647. Fernhill, 474; £B3OO. Fernhill, ,1010, £16,205. Tamatea, 731; £16,098. Tamatea, 241; £5062. Brydone, 855; £5701. Westella, 836; £46,241. Rockford, 1742; £13,558. Currie; 170; £7780. Murrayfield, 1076; £8519. Gower,-186; in part, £6029. Raupp, 907; £5719. Phillips, 266; £12,271. Mangakura, 940; in part, £6500. Aponga, 3178; £22,600. Aponga, 412; £3993. Roseberry,- 2029; £36,524. • Roseberry, 1880; £28,213. Tapanui, 1939; 1/11,999., •Wilden, 24,064; £81,016. Clunes, 423; £11,704. T0ta15,'46,040;-£438,994.

Year. Number, Area in Acres, 1926 ..... 1 1,390 347,716 1927 ... 1,711 456,590 1928 ..... ... 1,913 400,590 . 1929 ...... ,.. 1,011 462,563 1930 2,091 402,900