LAND SETTLEMENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4453, 14 August 1922, Page 4

LAND SETTLEMENT.

LAST YEAR’S OPERATIONS.

OVER 300,000 ACRES SELECTED.

Interesting comment on the progress of land settlement during the year ended March 31 last is contained in the annual report of the Department of Lands and Survey; “Generally speaking,’’ states the Undersecretary, “good seasons were experienced all over the Dominion, the pne exception being Hawke’s .Bay, where the fpurth consecutive dry year hampered fanning operations considerably; The mild wintei- of 1921 was followed by a good spring and summer, whilst autumn rains left the ground in a very good condition. Unfortunately, the very low prices realised for wool, iaeat, ajid dairy produce militated agaipst a satisfactory financial result. "Tire prices for store cattle and other stock having fallen very considerably, it was noticed that many farmers' went in for dairying in place of sheep, with the result that the dairying industry extended throughout Mew Zealand, and the yean was a record one for the production of butter and cheese. Notwithstanding the decreased returns experienced by farmers, improvements were, effected to a considerable extent, although the shortage of money prevented as much being done as was desired in this respect.

"One feature that was noticed during the year was the lessened changes of ownership of farm lands!; and in many cases where private lands had been disposed ofj during the pre-

ceding two or three years at high prices including heavy mortgages to the vendors, the purchasers were unable to make ends meet and had to relino.uish the holdings, which came back into the hands of the mortgagees or previous owners. An upward ten-? dency may, however, now be noticed, both as regards prices of produce and conditions generally. At the date of writing the price for butter and but-ter-fat has hardened, whilst there is a steady increase in the prices realised for wool, and it is hoped that the corner has been turned and that the farmers of New Zealand will soon be in the same satisfactory condition that they were in in past years.

“During the year 310,076 acres wore selected by 1710 persons. This must be regarded as very satisfactory in the circumstances, and it will be noticed that the average holding is less than 200 acres. As regards lands available for selection, over 400,000 acres are open for application by the general public, and an area of about 25,000 acres is open for selection by discharged soldiers only. It must be added that discharged 'soldiers have preference at ballots for lands open for general application, so that they are given every facility for acquiring land should they desire to do so. “In previous years it was the custom to set aside all good land for selection by discharged soldiers only; but as the demand has now fallen off. it has been found advisable to withdraw the land from proclamation under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act and open it undei- the ordinary conditions of the Land Act. Up to March 31 last 114,819 acres of

land had been so dealt, with. There still remains a further area of nearly two and a half million, acres, a large portion of which is now jn process of survey and sub-division for settlement.”