SMALL HOLDINGS.

Wairarapa Age, 6 July 1932, Page 4

SMALL HOLDINGS.

COMFORTABLE COTTAGE HOMES. HELP FOR DAIRYMEN. The cottages being erected by the Government on small holdings under its scheme to absorb unemployed offer those taking up these sections all reasonable comfort. Yesterday a visit wab paid to a cottage being erected on tl»o ten acres given to the Government by Mr. W. Perry, of Penrose. Although the cottage is of modest exterior appearance, the rooms are compact and generally well arranged. The living room is 14ft. by 9ft. There are two bedrooms 9ft. by lift, and the kitchen is lift, by Bft., while a bathroom, Bft. by sft., is also provided. There is an open fireplace in the living room and the kitchen is equipped with a range, sink, copper and tubs. All the rooms are match-lined. In addition the Crown is to connect the cottage with the electric power, ring fence the section and lay on the water, for which a tank is also provided. A suitable man has been nominated for this section by Mr. Perry ai|d it is expected that he will take possession in about a week’s time. Arrangements are being made for providing the stock and generally tc establish the new settler on his holding.

A similar cottage is being erected on a ten acre section taken up under the scheme at Featherston. These are the cnly two small holdings in the Wairarapa so far finalised, but several others are being investigated. Referring to the extension of the plan, Mr. A. T. P. Hubbard, Departmental Officer in charge of the South Wairarapa area in connection with the small holdings scheme, said this offered great possibilities for the small sheep farmer who wished to go in for dairying to supplement his returns. In the case of any farmer who undertook to employ a married unemployed man on a share-milking basis or wages—he had to guarantee a minimum of £2 a week and allow the applicant sufficient land fco grow his own vegetables—the Government would provide a house and if necessary a cowshed. The owner has to purchase any buildings erected over a period of eleven years. No payment is made in the first year, the amount being wiped out in ten years by halfyearly instalments, to cover the cost of the building, plus five per cent, interest. Allowing £l7O or £lBO for the cost of the cottage erected on the holding a payment of £lB or £l9 per year would be required to pay it off in the requisite time. The extension of the scheme should be largely availed of, stated Mr. Hubbard, as the dairying industry has received a considerable im* petus.