INFERIOR LANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20012, 1 December 1927, Page 8

INFERIOR LANDS

MINISTER INTERVIEWED GOVERNMENT’S OPERATIONS. [ Special “ Chronicle ” Service ] WELLINGTON, Nov. 30. In a conversation with a representative of the “Chronicle,” the lion. Mr A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, made some comment on the progress of the Government’s scheme lor the occupation and development of waste or inferior lands of tne Crown. Early in the year regulations were gazetted governing the disposal of in ierior lands for settlement. The classes of land to be dealt with under the Act embrace pumice lauds and the inferi >r poor clay lands of the north. The first block of clay lands (in the North Auckland district was recently opened for ballot, and all the sections were applied for, the number of applications received showing that there is considerable interest in this system of settling the Dominion’s poor kuihs. The block, referred to contained 977 acres and comprises pu-rt of the Riverhead Block, situated about 44 miles nurth-west of Auckland. It was subdivided into eight sections in areas ranging from IUB acres to 134 acres. The result of the offering of this block is regarded by the Department as being very satisfactory, and no doubt further blocks of similar country will shortly be made available for selection under similar conditions. The Riverhead Block is chiefly a brown clay with a light covering of sandy loam in the gullies and on the flats, the area being covered with ti-tree scrub with patches of danthonia.

The Act amd regulations provide that within six years from selection the licensee shall have Laid down in permanent cultivation grasses and clovers not less than half of the section, and have placed upon the land substantial improvements of a permanent character of a total value of not less than 30s per acre. All cultivation and improvements have to be maintained by the necessary application of manures. Provided the lessee resides on the land the acquired improvements are reduced to half of the prescribed value. After a period of six years and on completion of the stipulated improvements the licensee is entitled without payment to become the owner in fee simple of the land. No rent is, of course, charged during the term of the license. The area that may be selected by one person is limited to 1000 acres of thkrd-class land, except in exceptional circumstances. The license carries exemption from payment of general rates for a period of four years.

The Hon. Air McLeod also mentioned the two blocks of pumice land in the Auckland district, which had been previously’ offered on the same system. One block near Te Atiamuri was cut into seventeen sections, and another block near Te Kuiti comprl.sed four sections. The total area offered was 9771 acres, the areas ranging from 191 acres to 1336 acres. The result of the ballot showed that the smaller sections were niosf sought after. As the demand arises, further blocks of this class of country will bo offered for selection.