The Horowhenua Block,

Manawatu Herald, 6 January 1894, Page 2

The Horowhenua Block,

The Minister of Lands has replied to Mr J. G. Wilson, M.H.R., as follows, respecting the above : — " Department of Lands and Survey. " Wellington, Dec. 27, 1898.

" Sir,— l am directed by tho Minister of Lands to acknowledge the receipt of your letter ot Bth inst., and in reply thereto have to state, that it is proposed to cut off 800 acres of the Horowhenua block lately purchased, and divide the rest into small sections suitable for occupation by workmen employed at the sawmills in the neighbourhood and others, say from 5 to 50 acres. The 800 acres will be devoted to the purposes of a state farm. " With regard to your second question as to the price of village settlement sections in Levin, I have only to reiterate what has already been said several times, that the price charged for these allotments is only what would have been paid in cash if the sections had been offered on that tenure ; and the Minister

noes not at presum ace uu^ i» »«/ iJbSsible to i ; eflutje the raleß, utilesß the tehatifcs abatidon or Sttl-rende* their holdings. You are aware that the Selectors Lands Revaluation Act does not apply td lands bbtaihett sB receHtly as thbse in (Juestioti. The Land Board will be informed of your suggestion, that the unsold sections should be offered at an ettrly date at a reasonable price. With regard to the sections at Hautere, which is partly afc the disposal of the Manawatu Railway Coy," and partly Crown Lands, I have to state that recently the company hag been offered again the lands which the Crown has available for selection by them, and informed that the offer would remain open for three motions, at the end of which time the lands unless taken up by the company, would be opened to the public in the usual way. I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant, A. Barron.