DETERIORATED LANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20106, 27 March 1928, Page 8

DETERIORATED LANDS

SETTLERS’ STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE

Land Board Completes Tour of Wanganui’s Tangled Hinterland

In the rugged country behind Wanganui, and extending for many miles through the centre of the North Island, is that vast tract of country estimated at about 100,000 acres, on which relentless war is being waged against the enemy of the backblocks settler—Second Growth. The area is being held by many of the Dominion’s best settlers, and from a production point of view alone the question of their success becomes a national problem. A vivid story of the struggle for existence, together with suggestions for giving further relief, were conveyed to a ■Chronicle” reporter yesterday by Mr C. H. Burnett, the Crown's tenants’ representative on the Wellington Land Board. Mr Burnett lauded the work of the Deteriorated Lands Commission, but suggested an extension of the powers of the land boards enabling cases to be dealt with immediately on their nerits. Members of the Wellington Land Board have just completed a tour of the Kaitaike and Retamke blocks.