LAND DEVELOPMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 24, 29 January 1934, Page 10

LAND DEVELOPMENT

MINISTER'S INSPECTION WORK ON NEW BLOCKS (By Telegraph—Press. Association.) KOTORUA, This Day. The Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) concludes his official visit to the development blocks in the Rotorua district today, making a last inspection of Ngakuru. This morning, reviewing his inspection of the various blocks, ho said satisfactory progress was being made at Galatea. He anticipated opening 23 sections of 100 to 150 acres each about April. A gravitation water supply was being provided from the Mangamate River. Tenders were let for the erection of ten cottages.' Nearly all sections for allotment had been ring fenced, and some subdivision fences had been erected. Wool for the year had brought £8000, and some 8000 surplus sheep were being sold. The Murupara block of 2120 acres, adjoining Galatea, was being opened under the small farm scheme, the Unemployment Board doing the work. The Farms Board was supplying the capital. So far, 20 acres had been laid down in grass, 10 acres in turnips, and 700 acres had been cleared and ploughed. Cottages and sheds were being erected, the men engaged in the work to be given preference in the selection in a few months. * . Satisfactory progress was also being made with 1000 acres given to the Government by Mr. Earlo Vaile, to bo settled on tho same basis as Murupara. Suitable men on the job would be given preference. On this block 300 acres had been cleared, 120 acres ploughed, GO chains of fencing erected, and two miles of shelter belts planted. The Minister has great hopes of the block proving a success.1-. The Ngakuru block had been found to be in excellent condition.