A SUCCESSFUL SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 277, 17 August 1921, Page 6

A SUCCESSFUL SETTLEMENT

MINISTER’S VISIT TO TIRATU. The Hon. D. 11. Guthrie, Minister of Lands and Repatriation, returned to Wellington, yesterday after visiting the Tiratu soldier settlement, near Dannevirkc, where he officially opened the soldiers’ co-operative dairy factory. “1 was very pleased with the progress that has been made,” said Mr. Guthrie to a Dominion reporter, "and my visit has confirmed the good impression I formed when I inspected the property prior to its selection in August, 1919. I stated then that in view of the quality of the land and the conditions under which the men would take up their sections, the successful tenants should consider themselves very fortunate. Three years ago the land comprised a 5000-acro sheep run. To-day it is a well-established settlement of thirty-four settlers, most of whom are dairying. The Department has been fortunate in securing settlers of a very fine type, in whose success I have everv confidence.

“Although they have been in possession of their sections for less than two years, permanent improvements of a substantial nature are visible on all sides. With ths assistance advanced under # the Repatriation Act they have erected a throevat co-operative dairy factory, which will deal with the milk of 600 cows. The factory occupies a site in the centre the block, and is equipped with the latest appliances for the, manufacture of cheese. There was a very large attendance at Ihe opening ceremony, and I have te acknowledge the great interest that is being taken in tho settlement by settlers and others throughout the district. At the close of (ho official opening ceremony. Mrs. Gunderson, on Irhalf of th:- soldier settlers, presented a floral tribute in memory of our fallen soldiers. It was inscribe'F’From Tiratu. A tribute to the Empire's dead.' It was a touching incident, in that these soldiers, while registering a step in the advancement of their soldier settlement, did not forgot their comrades who laid down their Fives for the Empire. I hnvc since placed the tribute in the soldiers’ cemetery at Karori.”