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Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1919, Page 2

A very gratifying instance of the success of an ex-soldier who was assisted “on to the land” was before the executive of the- Canterbury Patriotic Fund this week. The man in question had fought on Gallipoli, anj he was the first man assisted by the Canterbury Patriotic Fund in farming operations. tie was successful in a ballot for a section of land at Tapapau, Hawke’s Pay. The Patriotic Fund Executive lent him £SO, free of interest, and repayable in instalments within two years of the granting of the loan. He repaid tho money in the time, and the Agricultural anj Fanning Committee of the fund then made him a grant of £2O. Hi thanking the committee for this grant, the ex-soldier wrote: —“1 will invest tile money in a few sheep, which I "'as saving up to get later on, to follow up the cows, as they do very well like that. I will he able to put them on right away and when I sell them off will double the money on them. I miglit tell you that the she,) I spent the loan on is spoken of ns the best shed on tho whole block of twenty-five sections. Doing of solid concrete, it- is a valuable improvement on the place, and is dry and warm : I can milk in comfort in all weathers, having the concrete llooring. “When I drew this section 1 only had the deposit money, but a life-time of experience in all farm work. I drew a good section, with plenty of grass and natural streams. The Government advance enabled me to get the house, and a. dozen milking cows. As the Cream cheque came in I was able to invest in a plough and discs. I built ii)) the herd to twenty one cows. I got tip. extra cows through the Ilawko’s Pay Co-operative Association paying 7 per cent interost and the principal in instalments. Tlipv were very good and allowed me to pay just what I could spare, each month. I have them fully paid up now. Alt was a. great struggle at. first, hut now I find I am glutting on well. I might mention that I have never had a day’s holiday off the place since I got, it, but 1 am quite satisfied as I see good prospects ahead of me. ’litis year is good so far and tho feed is wonderful. T have already taken off a splendid crop of barley. There is no doubt, that tho Government has given us good land”.