LAND SETTLEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 September 1926, Page 1

LAND SETTLEMENT

REPORT TO PARLIAMEXT. WELLINGTON-, Sept. 7. The annual report on land for settlement was presented to Parliament today. Mr John W. Ritchie, the Land Purchase Controller says the extremely high prices ruling for, wool, mutton and lamb during 1924 and the early part of 1025 had the effect of hardening the values asked for pastoral lands, and consequently the sides of large properties, either to the Crown or privately, had been practically negligible during the financial year just closed. During that period, however, the Board had closely inspected several large properties, which at first glance, appeared reasonable in price, but careful calculations showed that the loading necessary for reading, .fencing, and buildings would have raised the rental values to prospective settlers to such a high point that success could not be reasonably assured, and therefore purchase by the Crown could not be recommended. Offers received during the present calendar year indicated that owners of largo properties suitable for subdivision were .now willing to offer them at a more reasonable figure, and since the close of the financial year three estates totalling 14,252 acres had been purchased, while negotiations in respect of two other properties approximating 20,000 acres had reached a stage that gave a reasonable prospect of successful negotiation.

During the year. also, considerable areas of second and third-class lauds, mostly in localities difficult to access, had been placed under offer to the Crown, hut the Board had not been able to recommend the purchase of such areas for the reason that it was of the opinion that they were entirely unsuited for closer settlement, being only suitable for holding in comparatively Urge, areas by those having capital available to work them. Tt was considered that in purely sheep-grazing land of low-grade fattening capacity, a minimum of from 1(100 t:> 1500 acres was required to assure a reasonable living for a family, for the reason that with such land there was a strong tendency towards reversion to manuka and natives grasses every few years. For many years investigations under the Discharged' Soldiers’ Revaluation had gone to show that this type of laud could be settled successfully in small areas if it were in close proximity to good transportation facilities which would permit the use of lime and other top-dressing mixtures at the lowest possible prices. During the year there had been several applications for the formation of associations under the. Land Settlement Finance Act, which undoubtedly oflered facilities for the subdivision, of improved properties. The legislation, however, was in need of amendment in several respects before it could be applied with any prospect of success, and pending action in that direction, it was not proposed to form any now associations.