Land for Soldiers.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1921, Page 4

Land for Soldiers.

THE PRICES PAID. | WELLINGTON, Nov. 2(i The figures in the annual report of the Land for Settlements Branch have been given in more up-to-date form to Parliament this session than usual, and there are some interesting points, such ;is the reply of the purchase officer to criticism that some estates have been bought at too High a price. Tiraumea, in the North Wairarapa district, and Erina, in the Upper Wairau district, have been criticised, states the report. The former contains 1.0,135 acres, nearly all pastoral, the price paid being £* per acre, of winch Lot),(KM) was taken in war bonds. The carrying capacity for some years prior to purchase was 10.500 Romney sheep (of which 0000 were breeding ewes) ami 000 head of cattle, with the necessary horses. The property was well subdivided, with a main road running through, besides by-roads and a school on the block. ‘The inspection was made in the middle of winter,” adds the Land Purchase Officer, ‘ and 1 have no hesitation in saying that on no other property inspected were tin stock found to approach those on Tirattmen generally in condition and quid-

••The Erina Estate contains 75. T acres. It was purchased in March 1917, and the price was £5 5s per acre of which £20.000 was taken in delicti t„,es. Along the frontage and abut ting on the Wairnu River there is r considerable area of medium to goo. flats suitable for lucerne growing, tin balance being low hills covered wit) dnnthonia.

“Notwithstanding the conditions exbiting at the time of purchase, the price must he accepted as extremely reasonable, and any reason for the nonsurress of some of the soldiers on these properties must he looked lor otherwise and not attiihutod to the price paid for the land. Both these properties were early war purchases, so that die soldiers were in possession for some considerable time before the slump. As for the lands now being offered to the Purchase Board, the report states that large areas are being submitted, hut it cannot he said that there is anv marked reduction in the prices asked. Dairying lands are still verv firmlv held, hut few properties are Changing hands, and it is therefore somewhat difficult to arrive at presentdav values.