LAND SETTLEMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3847, 20 September 1928, Page 3

LAND SETTLEMENT.

FEW) PURCHASES MADE. Only 2233 acres of land, representing a cost of £22,552, were acquired by the State during the last financial year, according to the annual report of the Land Purchase Controller presented to Parliament on [Tuesday. The report explains that the number of properties considered during the year was 84, of a total area of 171,788 acres,-but for various reasons very few purchases were made. Some excellent sheep country was placed under offer to the State, but the blocks in question were unfortunately not economically suitable for subdivision, although no doubt they had proved payable propositions when capably farmed in large areas. It was found as a general rule that even those properties which were offered at fairly reasonable prices considered as going concerns could not bear the extra charges entailed by subdivision, roadirig, etc., and be thereafter offered for selection at prices affording prospective settlers a fair chance of success. The extra loading entailed in the provision of new homestead buildings, fencing, roading, etc., was the chief obstacle to the acquisition of lands for subdivision for closer settlement, and it was only on s comparatively rare occasions that suitable land could be bought at prices that would allow of a reasonable return on the capital outlay plus the necessary additional charges. The Land Purchase Board had given the most careful consideration to the offers submitted, but in the great majority of cases had been unable to make a favonrable recommendation for acquisition, as the subsequent economic position did not appear to be assured. Several properties were, now under investigation.