MINISTER OF LANDS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16430, 25 January 1919, Page 9

MINISTER OF LANDS.

VISIT TO CA^TEHJBUR V SOLDIERS- SETTLEMENTS VISITED In accordance with a promise mndfi sometime ago. the Lion. D. H. Uuthr.e, Minister of Lands, arrived in Chnstdiurch yestcrd.iv on a visit to Canterbury and Ota go to discuss matters connected with the working of the Lauds Department in both districts. T„e Mmictpr who was accompanied by Mr 1. Brodrick, the Under-Seci'dary T.nnds (formerly Cnmmisi'.onev of Crrv.w; Lands in Cante, i.ury) spent a d ,l >' and crowded a large amount of dep.u t- ' mental work into a comparative.}' brief lunch Mr Guthrie attended a snecial mooting of the Cant'rhniy Lan.l Ed, which v;as attended i.v to T H. Skinner (Commissioner of Crown Lands). R. Macauhy, I> Stowoll, and V. Cunningham, an anolo-v for absence being received from Mr the remaining mem her ot tno The meeting was called at the M n'ster s renuest to give him an opportunity to talk over matters of administration, particularly in resist ot the administration of soldiers' settlements. The Minister also took advantage of the opportunity to say good-bye to the Commissioner (Mr W. 11. Skinner), who is leaving the service shortly on rctuoment Tho Commissioner an:l themciuhers of the Board were the Minister s guests at lunchcon. . In the afternoon the Minister. Jli Brodrick, Mr Skinner, and tho members of the Board motored to Leeston and Southbridge, and visited and inspected tho Leeston soldiers settlement arid the Homcbrook soldiers settlement. At tho Leeston settlement, which is just outside the township, tho matter ior consideration was the desirableness r.t increasing the Mze.of soino of the holdings by-amalgamating; one or two of the sections. At tho Homebrook Settlement, which was acquired some time ago, ind which is to be thrown open for selection by discharged soldiers at the end of next month..the Minister made a fairly cioso inspection of the area, motoring right across it. Ihe li.w acres comprised in the sottlement is partly heavy and parti;; light land, and in • sub-dividing it an endeavour has been made to include portions of each class in each section. Judging by tho . Appearance of *.ho crops and the pastures, this settlement, which is quitehandy to the township of Southbridge, should prove suitable for dairying and cropping. Tho Minister, who showed keen practical interest, in tho settlement, closely inspected Section 11, cn which there is at present a fine crop i-t wheat, which it is estimated wnl yield from 3o to 40 bushels to the The settlement has been divided into 16 sections, ranging trom 50 to 70 acres, and as 'a number of soldiers have been already out to see it, the likelihood is that there will be many appli- 1 cants for the sections ;when they are thrown open for selection. To-day the Minister will visit Rangier a. Oxford, Ashley, and tho Lees Valley soldiers' settlement. He will spend to-morrow in Christchurch, and on Monday will leave for South Canterbury and Ot ago. arriving at Ktirow on Wednesday. Mr Guthrie, has a big pro§ramme of work in Otago, which will eep him occupied till February 19th, when he will.leave Dun'd'n for Waimate and Timaru( the next day he will visit Temuka and Ashburton, and plans to teach. Wellington on February 21st.