LAND SETTLEMENT.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1476, 7 February 1903, Page 2

LAND SETTLEMENT.

(BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION). Wellington. List Night. Interviewed by Mr F. E. Biume, M.H.K., on the preseut-day burning question of the unlocking of our Crown lands for closer settlement, the Premier and Minister of Lauds, who, to their credit be it said, are doing all that they are capable of accomplishing in this direction, despite the undeserved criticism of their candid friends, as well as of the Opposition, were able to convince Mr Bauine that the throwing open of Crown lands was proceeding satisfactorily and expeditiously. In a memorandum to Ministers the SurveyorGeueral declares that within a comparatively short time there will be more than sullicieut land on the ma'ket to meet the requirements of all applicants. In a few weeks no less than a quarter of a million acres will be available in the North Island for settlement purposes. An important statement was made by the Premier to the effect that, in addition to Coibeck's estate, purchased by the Govcrnmant, negotiations were now proceeding for the acquisition of the Matamtlta, as well as five other estates belonging to the Assets Realisation Board. Iu the case of the Matamata estate the margin Was lon wide hutween the price offered by the Government and a private buyer to anticipate that it would be acquired by the Crown. As to the other (iv« estates, it was expected that in most instances the parties would come to a satisfactory agreement as to pviio.