DEMAND FOR LAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 228, 26 September 1929, Page 9

DEMAND FOR LAND.

MEN "DESPERATELY KEEN." POVERTY BAY REPORTS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) GISBORNE, this day. Commenting on Mr. D. G. Sullivan's statement in the House, that no demand for land exists in the Dominion, a leading estate agent to-day declared that within his knowledge eight small holdings had been disposed of in the last two months. Their areas ranged from 23 to 000 acres, and all were close to Gisbone. Further, he held a list of at least eight men wanting similar chances to get on the land, and all had some experience. Two of the areas were sold at under £20, and the others at from £30 to £70 per acre, while the smallest holding, 23 acres of rich land, six miles from the town, brought £120 per acre. There was some movement, too, in larger sheep farms, but,most men willing to take up bigger areas required longdated loans. An emphatic denial of Mr. Sullivan's assertion was given by Mr. F. S. Bowen, president of the Poverty Bay Farmers' Union, who said he personally knew of six first-class men desperately keen to get on the land. The Lands Department officers report plenty of inquiries, but they expect the demand to increase when land actually becomes available. A property at Opotiki, recently acquired for dairy subdivisions, should give an indication of the demand when it is thrown open for selection.