LAND SETTLEMENT IN THE NORTH

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 622, 27 September 1909, Page 5

LAND SETTLEMENT IN THE NORTH

■ ' >TE/AKATj' AEEA-PIAKO SWAMP. ~'. (Bi Toleeraph.—Bpcp|al OorreSDondent.i •,■".' ,■; , Auckland, September 23.' 'As showing large a' demand is likely to be experienced for ■ the first portion of the Te Akau block, wbich has been- acquired by the Government, and-whicb is to be opened for, selection on October 11,' it muy be. mentioned tbat the Land Board, has already received from all over the Dominion 12,000 for sale'plans, ft is, therefore, evident that there is going to be very keen competition tor these, lands. An erroneous impression is abroad as to the "areas, that may be taken up. A gooj many people seem to think that they can apply for-any-number of selections; oven, if thej only,want one. The block: contains both firstclass and secondrflass land. , All; applicants must, therefore, take their chance of securing one. prize in ' one .ballot; in other words, if unsuccessful, at the ballot, they are out out. 1 In. addition to the areas of land which will be . thrown open in Auckland province, in accordance with previous announcements, Mr. W. :C." Kensington,.Under-Secretary for Lands, 6tates that further, purchases at Te Akau and in tho King Country are contemplated.

' .The work of draining,that has'been proceeding on the Hauraki plains (better known as the Piako Swamp) Tot some time is now beginning to show practical results.' Mf. W. C. Kensington; Under-Secretary for.Lands, who is strongly impressed with the national'importance, of the 'work; returned to Auckland'yesterday, after 'a visit 1 to. Piako.:. He. states that some .15,000 to 1 available for settlement in April"! in "areas' of from. 150 to 200 acres.. In addition -to 'the -drains, which' have. had such good.effects, two, other, drains (one -parallel -to, the. present drains 'and \ the:, other across),' will be' put in hand at once in'orter •to'makd'.'tho'area to be opened in April'absolutely: safe'. - 'Another, area of .about; 15,000. acres lying between the Waihou River and the Piak'6 'River will' be available' for settlement' probably- next year, when- stop'banksbave been erected-.alone'.the. eastern'side of the Piako River : to make it iofe. ' The whole work of draining 'the- 90,000" aores'would probably' take' ;foiir..or.'five years.•, Mr. Kensington,stated that when it was completed Private iands"6ufround;ing; would-be: considerably -benefited. The land berng : drained >. would \ be-excellent for dairying purposes.; ; ,..., y: .:.-.:.:■" :.;...;-■ -. ~■>....'. -.-,-■;. ~