LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2215, 16 June 1891, Page 4

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

In giving information to working men in Christchurch recently Mr March spoke of the land in the North Island, of which there were thousands and tens of thousands of acres admirably adapted for settlement. He had, acting under instructions, inspected and reported on lands suitable for farm homestead associations and village homesteads under the amended regulations. A3£kelahuna,the block of land known as Mount Baker block contained 9200, a portion of which was suitable for sub-division into areas of 100 to 320 acres for farm associations and the flat country, containing 300 fo 600 acres, into 60-acre blocks for village settlements. It was bush country, generally billy, soil varying from fair to good, and watered by numerous small streams. A passing allusion was made to the Scandinavian settlement which was formed some sixteen years ago, and the township of Newman, which was in connection with the Wellington No. 1 Special Settlement Association. A number of late Canterbury people were anxious to take up 6000 seres on the Totara reserve hear by, and if the application were approved the settlement would be called “ The Canterbury Frrm Homestead Association.” The land was .fairly good and the country most undulating hills,-with a.little flat ground here and there. A portion of the' forest reserve to the north of the Masterton and Mangahae block to be dealt with, comprising 2500 adapted for settlement in 100 and 200 acre blocks. A large area of the Paketoi block at present under survey was to be opened, as would shortly be several village and township reserves. It was intented to provide settlements at North Puketoi, Woodville— Tiranmea, township reserve, Totara reserves (Mangahao), Gorge Forest reserve, Makuri township, Mangaone, Tairaumea, Tutaekara, South Puketoi Village, Ngaturi Tillage, Mount Baker, Forest reserve (Wellington special settlement), Mangataiaoka block. At TJnentoi blocks 1,2 and 4, from 5000 to 6000 acres were suitable for settlement, as there were blocks fit for a similar purpose between Hunterville, and Mnrumotu. In Taranaki 32,000 were open for selection, and by next September an additional 38.000 would Be opened. The Mimi block, 3000 acres, was adapted only for settlements in large areas of 200 acres. This also applied to the Mangamingi block, 9000 acres. The Maogaire block comprised 9000 acres, some of which would do for small settlement, and he understood that 200,000 acres of Native land was shortly to be purchased and opened up.