DEVELOPMENT OF LANDS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1930, Page 11

DEVELOPMENT OF LANDS

STATE SCHEMES’ PROGRESS 16 BLOCKS UNDER TREATMENT. WORK REVIEWED BY GOVERNMENT By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Sixteen blocks of land from North Auckland to Southland, with a total area of 61,000 acres, are at present under development, or are being prepared for that purpose, according to a comprehensive review of land development activities covering the past two years issued by the Government to-day. It is pointed out that the Government was committed to. a policy of increased settle-, ment. and in setting out the extent of operations in hand, and especially the widespread activities of the Lands Department since the passing of the amending legislation of 1929, it is emphasised that the fruits of that policy are already apparent. ■ Since the passing of last year’s legislation the Lands Development Board has advanced £358,000 to settlers for the improvement of Crown holdings, the review'states. It has also authorised the expenditure of £128,000 for the development of Crown areas prior to selection. < Large areas are being brought into production, and the Government’s efforts in this direction are summed up in the announcement that a total of 61,000 acres is included in 16 separate blocks upon which attention is being, directed at the moment. Rural holdings totalling 1477, aggregateing 572,000 acres, have been disposed of during the two years. It is pointed out that the real test of the settlement policy was to be found in the number of rural holdings made available and the average cost per settler. The number of holdings selected was 574, and the average cost per settler was £1343. It is also intended to offer a further 110 sections during December and January. For the putting’into effect of its. policy the Government has purchased 48 properties with a total area of 87,000 acres. The amount involved was £737,000, and the number of holdings made available as the result was 228. Of tljese 191 holdings had already been offered and 182 had actually been selected. NATIVE LAND SCHEMES., In addition to the Lands Department’s activities the Minister of Native Affairs has attended to comprehensive proposals for the development of native areas, his policy being to foster farming among the Maori people. A total of 30 separate schemes is stateci .to be in operation or under-consideration, in various parts of both Islands. The area involved in this work is about 80,000 acres. An interesting and highly important experiment is being carried out on the Easterfield block on the West Coast of; the South Island. This comprises 250 acres of Pakihi land which is being placed under experimental cultivation. These lands have been viewed as of comparatively no value for pastoral purposes. Researches made, by the Cawthrpn Institute, and earlier experiments, show that good pastures can be produced without extensive cost. Recent work by the Cawthron Institute in establishing excellent pasture by the use of lime and liberal top-dressing has given considerable promise that this land can be brought into successful operation. The cost of all operations will be carefully recorded and checked . The value of these experiments is ilustrated by the fact that 43,000 acres of this land is lying idle at present. The sum of £40,000 has been authorised for the development and roading of the Wharekohe block, near Whangarei. This block comprises 3700 acres, and in the meantime a total of 2000 acres will be developed. , ■ . Interest attaches to the work being done on the Tapuwae block, near Te Kuiti. Its area is 3350 acres, of which two-thirds is unimproved milled bush land. The sum of £lO,OOO has' been authorised for development work. Felling contracts have been let and 800 acres will shortly be ready for burning. Felling operations will .be carried out over 1200 acres next year. An access road is at present under construction and 300 acres is being', drained. Accommodation is being made available for.workers, and the proposal is that a small community will be iestablished on the block, with schooling facilities for the children. It is expected that the whole block will be ready for offering by 1932. In a detailed examination of’each other individual scheme it is shown to what stage the work has. advanced in each district.