LAND SETTLEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1930, Page 7

LAND SETTLEMENT

DEVELOPMENT OF GUMLANDS

(Auckland Star.)

Within the next few months the new policy of land development launched throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion this summer should be sufficiently advanced for everyone to appreciate the lar-reach-ing importance of tile land legislation passed during the last session of Parliament. Never before lias the development of Grown lands'been encouraged in such a liberal and practical manner.

“With the easy finance available, the scattered areas of 2000 or 3000 acres each in the North will be developed satisfactorily and economically,” said Mr <J. N. Campbell, Commissioner of Crown Lands for the North Auckland district.

What applies to North Auckland applies to the other districts, except that the kauri gum lands are of a different character from, those in the southern districts. The North has Lien the happy hunting ground of the gumdigger in days gone by and the sites of former kauri forests have been left to hake hard, and in many cases they are devoid of vegetation. going on quietly.

Already the advantages of the undeveloped lands in the North have begun to make their appeal In telling proof of this, Mr Campbell states that since April last 211,400 arc res have been selected and 109 new holdings established. This Ims gone on quietly and without the encouragement of advances form the Government,

Great as the response lias been, it should be better in the future, The Lands Department is now inviting applications for its lands on a basis th,at provides for an advance of 90 per cent on the value of the improvements. To give some idea of the appeal that the Lands Department expects this to make, Mr Campbell has provided in his district for 120 holdings, with a total area' of 20,500 acres to be taken up immediately the. dp ilia nd sets in. “ Gradualy there will be a marked influence upon the districts' in which these areas have been allowed to remain idle,” said Air Campbell. ADVICE TO LAND HUNTERS.

Of course, a man cannot expect to get suited with' a piece of land at a moment’s notice, and ]Vlr Campbell suggests that as soon, as he makes up his mind to go on the land he should get particulars of all lands available for selection. If there is nothing suitable, he should leave his name and address in the Lands Office and plans ol all lands becoming available will be forwarded to him. Sooner or later he will see someithing to his liking, and ho should then lodge his application. Mr Campbell says that each application for Crown land will be treated on its merits. The suitability of the applicant and the suitability of the land will be fully investigated and approved before making advances. The tennant is required to submit details and estimated costs of the proposed works. The Development Board, set up under the recent legislation, then decides on the amount of the advance to be given, and the progress payments commence after the settled has started work.

No extravagant or flimsy improvements will bo financed, is one of tlie important safeguards. A.t tho same time it is acknowledged by the Lands Department that tho remaining Crown land is not too easy of development, but nevertheless a great deal of it is capable of being dealt with on an economically sound basis. EXPERIENCE AND ENERGY WANTED.

Applicants should (be men of experience and energy, and should be possessed of a little capital to sustain themselves until they have achieved some work against which a payment could bo made. The advances should then bo sufficient to enable the settler to go on until the property is selfsupporting.

Inexperienced men with no money who are desirous of taking advantage of the settlement scheme would be well advised first to secure employment on the land and gain the. necessary experience before applying for assistance.