LAND SETTLEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1924, Page 3

LAND SETTLEMENT.

LAST YEAR'S RESULTS

WHI.UXOTON, Sept. -. The Lands Department shows, in its *■ annual report, that during the \eai 035,771 acres were taken up. under all tenures, hv hSS selectors, the aietage holding being about -HI acres. There is a .good demand for hind in favourably situated localities, hut attractive Crown lauds, naturally. !,ll> becoming less in idea as the settlement of the country progresses. A table of areas under survey fur settlement shows a total of 177,010 acres, the largest . areas being in Otago, 50,5-I0 acres. There is no land under survey for early settlement in Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson or ( anMcrbury, hut the total area actually „ open at present includes areas in all provinces aggregating -IOS.SI 7 act os. Westland contributes 110,1110 acres to this total. “The Department,” states the Under-Secretary. “is approached from time to time v to purchase estates in favoured localities for subdivision, this, of course, being the function of the land purchase controllers. Experience has proved that, unless the lands are acquired for subdivision at a price based on average sheep values, it is not possible to cut up estates into dairy propositions and offer the same for selection at suitable rentals. Rood lands suitable for dairying m the Dominion are generally tmnly he.il, and it is only possible to acquire the _ same at a price which immediately presents difficulties when subdivision is proceeded with. The policy he Department for closer settlement "» t he on sound lines regarding all pU" chnses for subdivision, and so long a the sheep industry continues in its present flourishing condition, it will * well ingh impossible to acquire dosnahle anil suitable lands for closer settlement. . “Again the question of aetual subflivHioj? of iv property, bought tvt That

would appear a reasonable figure, presents difficulties as overhead charges are at once multiplied, and the final result of subdivision is that it is difficult to maintain the original value as a whole, either in pounds, shillings and pence, or on a carrying capacity.”