LAND SETTLEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1932, Page 8

LAND SETTLEMENT

STATE ACTIVITIES

RECORD FOR PAST YEAR

EEVIEW BY MINISTER

The land settlement activities of the Government were reviewed by the Minister of Lands (tho Hon. E. A. Eansom) in an interview with a "Post" reporter to-day. The Minister supplied figures showing the number of men placed on the land during 1931, and also the purchases of privately-owned" land made by the State. He referred to the difficulties cunnected with' the purchase of land at the present time, and said this was being kept under strict control.

The Minister stated that during 1931 the selections made totalled 509, and the total area of land affected was 139,450 acres. During 1930 the selections totalled 607 and the area involved was 156,186 acres. Selections' of entirely new rural areas (land offered for the first time) numbered 276, as against 316 during 1930, and the area involved was 52,048 acres, as compared with 74,076 acres in 1930. Provincial'totals for the year were,as follows (the figures for 1930 being shown in parentheses):— ■ AIL SECTIONS. Number of . Selections. Total Area Acres. Auckland (Including North Auckland) . 320 (347) 55.032 (62 SIS) Wellington .. 44 (33) 15.85G (15 2TI) Canterbury .. 3 (27) 172 (1,949) Otago 26 (44) 3,259 (30,026) NEW SECTIONS ONLY. Auckland ... 100 (177) 36,129 (26,271) Wellington .. 12 (S) 2,759 (1,607) Canterbury .. — (9) _ (^jo) Otago 25 (41) 3,241 (30,026) During 1931, said the Minister,' twen-ty-five privately owned properties had been purchased, the area being 63,261 acres and the price £348,792. The prospective number of subdivisions was 225. In 1930 twenty-one properties were acquired, the area ,boing 39,587 acres and the purchase price £348,788. Twelve of the areas, totalling 29,225 acres, were purchased in the Auckland, district. Eighty-five settlers had Been placed on. those acquired properties in 1931, as against 162 iv 1930. GOOD PROGRESS. "Good progress is being made in the development of various blocks," said the Minister, "but the scheme has not yet reached the stage at which permanent settlers are being placed on areas developed by 'the State. At present development work is in progress on eleven blocks totalling a , little over 70,000 acres, of which over 31,000 acres are being developed. Twelve thousand acres have been cleared, 7800 acres cultivated, and 5000 acres laid down in grass. Authorised expenditui j amounts to £269,000, of which over.£llo,ooo has actually been expended. It is estimated that these development areas will provide 260 holdings, practically all of which will be devoted to dairying." The Minister said the number of settlers placed on undeveloped or unimproved Crown lands during 1931 was 284, as against 345 in 1930, and the total area involved wafc 63,701 acres, compared with 79,531 acres in 1930. AID FOR SETTLERS. "The information given above," said Mr. Hansom, "clearly indicates that the principal activity in land settlement ■ matters during the year has been the development by tho State itself of areas of unoccupied Crown lands that can be made suitable for settlement, plus the selection of undeveloped Crows land by individual settlers who receiv.c development advances for carrying out the improvements required. Tho system of granting development advances under the legislation of 1929 has greatly facilitated the opening up of numerous areas of unimproved land, and has resulted in a fairly steady demand for this class of country. Additional areas will "be opened from time to time under this system, and at present six blocks totalling over 22,000 acres and capable of subdivision into over 100 farms are being prepared for, offering, while other areas are under investigation. The various advisory committees have carried out a fairly complete investigation of idle lands remaining in the hands of the Crown, and while the areas available and suitable for settlement are not nearly so extensive as could be wished, yet reports indicate that- a very real contribution to increased settlement and production can be made by the development and settlement of ail suitable blocks. MANY DIFFICULTIES. ' regard to tho acquisition of private estates for closer settlement a feature of the year's operations was the purchase, and particularly that of: Galatea, of several estates offering scope for development by the Crown prior to opening tho land for selection. Land purchase operations in general are surrounded by many difficulties at the present time, and are being kept under strict control. It Beems probable that for some time at least operations will be confined chiefly to the acquisition of suitable areas on behalf of approved applicants under Part 11. of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1925."