The Thames Star. Resurrexi MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1901.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9878, 25 February 1901, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1901.

OPENING THE PIAKO.

The Government owns very largo areas of land in the Piako district, only one block of 9000 acres, named Puha ngaturu being yet in possession of the natives. With the acquisition of this block, which lies by the river, the Government lands could easily be drained and cut up for settlement It is to be hoped that the Hon. Mr Duncan will be so impressed with the necessity for placing the land on the market that he will ask Parliament during next session for the sum, esti* mated at £200,000, necessary to do the preliminary work. . The amount appears large, but it would be a good investment for the Government, and would all be returned in a few years, ihe upset price of the land would my elude the expenditure on drains and roads, and thus each acre disposed of would refund a portion of the cost of the land to the State. This land is iii quitea different position from that of. improved estates purchased for settlement. The whole profit from the Piako transaction will go to the benefit of the occupiers and the State, no unearned increment into' the pockets of private owners, as in the case of improved lands purchased. We will await the result of Mr Duncan's visit before enlarging further on this

question, which to the Thames is ac very vital one.