PUTARUTU LAND.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 154, 16 October 1919, Page 4

PUTARUTU LAND.

As the result of a discussion at a meeting of the Putaruru District Development Board, arising out of remarks made by Mr H. M.

Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands, concerning the value of Putaruru land, the chairman, Mr W. C. Hewitt, travelled to Auckland and interviewed Mr Skeet. Mr Skeet explained that at the time Putaruru land was disposed of by the Government the rentals were based on a valuation of ten shillings per acre upwards, and that the success of the settlement was due to the fact that the tenants always had sufficientgood-will in the property ■to enable them to raise sufficient funds to improve their allotments. To speak of the land being worth only 10s an acre at the present time was absurd. Mr Skeet told

Mr Hewitt that ho had great hopes in Putaruru, and he believer! some fresh legislation would be brought down soon which would help considerably in the breaking up ofland like that near Putaruru. Mr Skeet said Mr Campbell and other men who had taken up and were working land in large areas at Maraetai were doing a national work. It was better, he thought to allow private enterprise to undertake the breaking in of such .country if private individuals were prepared to do it.