Land Settlement.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6714, 29 November 1889, Page 3

Land Settlement.

» THE VICTORIAN SYSTEM. MR RICHARDSON'S TOUR OF INSPECTION. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. Some time ago Mr Marchant, Commissioner of Crown Lauds, Wellington, requested the Land Departments of Victoria and New South Wales to furnish him with information as to their methods of disposing of Crown lands so as to prevent dumuiyisin. By recent mails he has been placed in possession of full particulars of the systems in vogue in those Colonies, in the form of copies of Acts, regulations, plans, &.o. Mr Marchant said that he had looked through the paper 3 relating to Victoria, and was of opinion that the land system of that Colony contained a number of features which were worthy of the consideration of the Land Board. In Victoria the system partook mainly of a leasehold nature, with the right of acquiring the freehold of a portion of tho land under special circumstances. The Land Boards there enquired into the hona fides of every applicant, and selected one from the number of applicants for a section as being the most eligible. The Boards also caused frequent inspection of sections to be made, bo as to prevent persons taking over land without permission. MrMarchaut abo mentioned thet the Boards in Victoria were veiy caieful as to the cluss of persons to whom it was proposed to transfer sections. The Hon G. F. Richardson, Minister for Lands, returned from his journey through the centre of the North Island this afternoon. Tiie principal reason of the Minister's visit was to inspect the Awaroa block on the Rangitikei, and the Waemarino block on the Wanganui river, with a view to aßceitaining the facilities they offered for settlement. Mr Richardson made Huuterville hi 3 starting point, and after visiting some land on the Napier side of the proposed Main Trunk line, proceeded northwards to Karioi. Leaving the latter place, he worked through to Pipiriki on the Wanganui river, and thence on to the Waemarino block. Prom thiß on to Te Kuiti he followed the proposed line, where a halt was made. After a short respite Mr Richardson retraced his Bteps to the Wanganui river, down which he was canoed, the journey occupying four days, and he reached Aramoho in time to catch the train through to Palmerston North last night, arriving here by the midday train. Mr Richardson declares that from his personal observation the references made in the House as to the poor quality of the land through which the proposed line passes were greatly exaggerated. He admits that some of the land is poor, but the greater portion is of good quality, while there is abundance of splendid timber throughout. Mr Elliott, of the Crown Lands Department, who accompanied the Minister to Te Kuiti, proceeded North to make enquiries into the silver discoveries at Puhipuhi, and will report fully on hia return here on Sunday next. Mr Richardson was accompanied Bolely by Maoris on his return journey.