MR M’NAB INTERVIEWED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2153, 31 March 1908, Page 3

MR M’NAB INTERVIEWED.

ACQUISITION OF LANDS. experimental farms. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 30. Interviewed at Christchurch before his departure for Wellington, tho Hon. R. .MoNab, asked whether tho Government intended to incline a favonihlo ear to the agitation for tho completion of tho South Island main trunk railway, said: —“Tho matter is not in my department. However, I think it is understood that tho through lino to Picton iis one of tho works tho Government will ultimately carry out, and it is a subject lor consideration when tho lino from \Vollington to Auckland is through whether the timo lias arrived for its more rapid construction. No new works are being embarked on until tho big railway is through, and then, of course, tho whole position -will liavo to bo reviewed. Docs tho Government intend to establish comurehensivo experimental farms at Culverdeu? tho reporter asked. . ~ , Tho Minister gave a very decided answer in the negative. “It was suggested, but I don’t think seriously,” ho said, “and it is not going to be done. Wo must have it in a place whero there will be moro convenionco for tho great bulk of inteiested neoplo to visit it.” “Could you indicate a likely locality?” was the next question. “Wo don’t want to push up tlio price of laud in a likely locality, was tho non-committal reply. “But you aro going to lnvo an oxperiineutal ifarin in Canterbury? tho reporter insisted. . , “We have not come to a decision vet,” said Air. McNab. “My own idea is that to have the scheme complete wo require one for Canterbury and one for Otago. The fruit-grow-ors are very anxious that wo should have something experimental in their line, and that should be a .portion or an experimental farm. An error of judgment has been made in Auckland in scattering small stations in different parts of the country.” Asked when tho Culverdeu Estate would be open for selection, Mr. McNab said that the Lands and Survey Department’s work in connection with the estate was all complete, and it was .hoped that the printing ot tho: maps would bo put in hand to enable applications for the ballot to be in within a month. Tho Department was adhering to its original intention to have the estate cut up into 26 holdings. . , , , On the question of further land acqnisition .by the State, Mr. Mc2sa»b stated that there were a good nmnber of estates under offer. The Government was .being-urged by settlers to acquire others, while the Department was “casting sheep’s eyes at several. Wheiii the reports came m from the officers of the Land Purchase Board, the Government would be ablo to come to a decision. Reports were being secured in regard to several estates in Canterbury.