LAND DEVELOPMENT PLANS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1934, Page 7

LAND DEVELOPMENT PLANS

ROTORUA DISTRICT BLOCKS. MINISTER REVIEWS PROGRESS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Rotorua, Last Night. The Hon- E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands, concluded his official visit to the development blocks in the Rotorua district to-day. He made his last inspection of the Ngakuru block this morning despite heavy rain. Reviewing his inspection of the various blocks, the Minister said satisfactory progress was being made at Galatea. He anticipated opening 23 sections of 100 to 150 acres each about April. A gravitation water supply was being provided from the Mangamate River. Tenders had been let for’the erection of ten cottages. Nearly all the sections for allotment had been ring fenced and some subdivision fences had been erected. Wool for the year had brought £BOOO, and 8000 surplus sheep were being sold. The Murupara block of 2120 acres adjoining Galatea was being opened under the small farm scheme. The Unemployment Board was doing the work and ■the Farms Board was supplying capital. So far 20 acres had been laid down in grass and ten acres in turnips, and 700 acres had been cleared and ploughed. Cottages and sheds were being erected. Men engaged on the work would be given preference in selection in a few months. Satisfactory progress was being made with 1000 acres given the Government by Mr. Earle Vaile, which was being settled on the same basis as the Murupara block. Suitable men on the job would be given preference on this block. Three hundred acres had been cleared, 120 acres ploughed, 60 chains of fencing had been erected, and two miles of shelter belts planted. The Minister has great hopes of the block proving a success. The Ngakuru block was found to be in excellent condition.