REPATRIATION WORK

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1920, Page 3

REPATRIATION WORK

TOTAL OF £24,000,000 SPENT. f

The latest monthly return issued by the Minister of Lands shows that the repatriation of New Zealand soldiers, including advances authorised, but not yet made, has involved an expenditure of almost £24,000,000 to -the end of October. Details are as follows: — Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act, advances for stock and purchase of houses and private land, £17,000,000. Land for Settlements Act—(a) Capital value of 268 estates, comprising 352,662 acres, purchased, sub-divided, and offered to soldiers, £4,370,000. (b) cost of 38 estates, comprising 138,603 acres, purchased, and now being subdivided and prepared for settlement, £1,065,000. Total £5,435,000. Repatriation Act, financial assistance for establishment of businesses, for purpose of furniture, tools, etc., and for sustenance, etc., £1,540,000. Total (not including cost of administration), £23,975,000. The average cost of placing returned soldiers on settlement land has been £3003, the average capital value of the sections being £2460, and the average advance for stock and improvements being £543. The average advance for the purchase of private land has been £1633, and the average advance for the purchase of a dwelling has been £669. These figures show that the Lands Department has been keeping well within the limits set by law in the making of advances.

During the present month 86 sectons, comprising 18,599 acres, are be ing offered to soldiers, and arrangements have been made to offer a further 96 sections next month. The land that is now available for settlement by soluiers or that is being prepared for settlement totals 625,095 acres. This includes 38 purchased estates, which will provide about 337 sections. The 306 estates purchased under the Land for Settlements Act for returned soldiers have had a total area of 491,265 acres, and have provided 2020 holdings.