CLOSER SETTLEMENT AND PROSPERITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3890, 3 January 1929, Page 3

CLOSER SETTLEMENT AND PROSPERITY.

(To The Editor). Sir—When I wrote upon the subject of idle lands in the vicinity and also in the environs of Foxton, my object was to point out the possibilities and desirabilities of closer settlement, as it would effect the progress of Foxton. I know too well the drawbacks to Foxton’s progress, but that will not always be as progress cannot longer be stifled. We must march on, in spite of those drawbacks. A's to the question of that 400 acre lease, I find that it is an endowment for Education, and, as you state, that the Education Board receives no income from it whatever. Now I ask the question, why is it endowed as an Education endowment? I was certainly in error as to the rental. I find the rent is £26. per year, and why the Lands Department should administer this kind of reserve is past me. To say that the present rental is the worth or value of the area, I very much question, as I know of a practical farmer who is prepared to erect three homes on this area, making four, and place thereon four dairy herds, which would mean placing four families thereon. This area I find was once a grassland, used as a racecourse, and training grounds. What is it now? A manuka farm. There are other Education endowments close by, but I find they are highly improved, one carrying upwards of one hundred milking cows. .Further, I find all these reserves are supposed to be subject to a certain amount of improvement during the term of the leases. I am in no whit discouraged by adverse criticism, especially where it concerns the welfare of my adopted town, he it industrially or otherwise. There are quite a few subjects that one could write upon that concern the advancement of this backward town and surely it is not a ease for obstacles, but for encouragement. When any person' is willing to assist those ob jeets into being that m'ay ultimately advance Foxton. In conclusion you ask, Sir, who is going to be the compelling force as regards these idle lands, and the settling thereof. Well I think I am pretty safe in saying that the future land policy, will be to settle unused urban areas first then the backblocks after, so why should not “Foxton Prosper.” Yours etc. E. G. AEARTIN.