COMMUNITY SETTLEMENT

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVI, Issue 7907, 26 September 1929, Page 2

COMMUNITY SETTLEMENT

INTERESTING SCHEME PROPOUNDED WHANG A MATA AS LOCALITY Another advocate of closer settlement in the district is Mr A. J. C. who has outlined a scheme in the Hauraki Plains Gazette and suggests Whangamata as a suitable locality for the experiment. “My suggestion,’ - u ays Mr Schmitt,” is briefly that fifty reliable and experienced settlers —sharemilkers for preference —be found who would themselves form a company to the total value of the land to be selected the applicants to find a small deposit towards a debenture, to the value of each section, which would be even. They then have an undertaking from a finance company, under mortgage, to supply the necessary capital. At the end of 'he period, say three to three and a half years, if necessary, the State Advances give their valuation, relieving the finance company of some cf the burden. If theie should be. which is quite possible, a difference in i.he expended amount and the State Advances all -cation, then the linam o company would carry a second mortgage.

AMENITIES OF LIFE “The reason that success must attend the scheme of community settlement of this kind is, firstly, that the applicants start on the ground lloor, and, secondly, that by the:r very numbers, and being a settlement established from the start, 'they create a genuine community and enhanced value, inasmuch as their numbers are large enough to attract the conveniences and advantages which would be failing where the hardships had to be borne by isolat|ed settlement. For instance, after the second year, or even at the end of the first, allowing that 20 to 30 acres could be got in, there is an immediate necessity for a dairy company. There are a sufficient number of children to justify a school, aud a post office. There are sufficient to partially support a doctor, and a certain deduction from their weekly wage could be applied to the maintaining of a co-operative store, if they so wished. Unlike a ballot, whei'e people of more or less experience are allowed to take up land, the people entering into this movement would be selected on account of their knowledge of farming, and their integrity and ability to stand up to the work as pioneers, and, in addition, there are allowances made for the appointment of a qualified supervisor. QUESTION OF FINANCE

“After all, the main point is the land, and at present, from information from those who know the locality well, Whangamata offleis advantages, and it is thought that the area required could be obtained in that district, not so much on the bush country, but QU the tern laud, which could egsUy be got under with thq p'tqugh, and which is not too broken. There is also the advantage of the harbour. There need be no delay, should the Government’s assistance, where it can assist, without prejudice, be forthcoming.” Continuing, Mr Schmitt said he had forwarded particulars of his scheme to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Lands, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and Mr H. B. Holland, M.P., all of whom had written in reply stating their appreciation of the scheme. At the same time, while the Minister of Lands had cpmmpftt-

ed most favourably on it, he had indicated that no legislation would be brought down this year to deal with the matter. On receipt of this information a large financial corporation, which had previously been approached on the subject, and which had enthusiastically received it at a meeting, was again communicated with, aud was now awaiting a further letter from Sir Joseph Ward before go--1 in S into the matter more fully and probably deciding to launch the scheme. COST OF THE SCHEME Mr Schmitt estimates the cost of launching such a scheme to be £76,432, made up as follows; 5000 acres at £1 per acre . £SOOO 50 wage-earners at £3 10a per week, 3 years . . . . 26,250 50 3-roomed cottages and sheds at £3OO .. .. .. 15,000 Fencing, wire, staples . . <3OOO Grass seed for 3000 acres .. 3000 Implements 790 Horses and harness . . ~ 1000 Tools 150 1000 cows at £l2 each ... 12,000 - Separators, cans, etc., at £SO 2500 Sundries & wages supervisor 2500

£71,100 Interest on whole for 18 mths. 5332 Total £76,432 “From this £76,432 —he says—take the production from first and second years’ grass, £20,000 (which could be held by ' the Government and deducted from capital cost before handing over), leaving capital cost £56,432. This brings out the cost of each farm at £1129, at 6 per cent, annual rentals £6B. In three years' time the return from 20 cows would, be £ls each, and pigs, calves, etc., £25.

“In what better way—concludes; Mr Schmitt—could money be spent? In three years’ time a minimum export of £15,000, increasing to double; as time went on; a self-supporting:., community with a future to look forward to; and, above all, the expansion of an industry on which pur Dominion depends.”