THE MANGAONE BLOCK.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 83, 15 October 1879, Page 2

THE MANGAONE BLOCK.

In our last issne We noted, with sincere pleasure,-the fact that, Mr. J. G-. Holdsworth, the Crown Lands Commissioner, had agaiu brought under the notice of the Qovernment the absolute nescessity of opening up "Crown Lands by 'roads and cutting drains. His- remarks;, have especial application to land iv the Upper Mana,vyatu, where it may be classed as forest, and, as he points oi^t, not likely to be purchased m large blocks for speculative purposes, but by intending settlers of moderate means. A couple of years ago a deputation from Manawatu interviewed oertainlmembers of the Ministry upon the advisability of doing so with the Karere Block, and not only r did the suggestion, meet with a favorable . -reception .at tl\e hands oF Ministers, but the meiivbei's of ft he' deputation were complimented upon the idea, and told theni that- they might fairly lay claim to the credit qf being its originators. .--. The Government have since adopted' the suggestion, and it is now put m force m Ihe Taonui Block, iiairanga Settlement, -where roads and drains ace being made before being submitted to auction, when the money expended -Avould be refunded by the enhanced value. The main object is to place the landVupoh such a footing that settlet s with small -'means could upon purchase immediately have access' to the land, and that instead of expending their capital at the outset, the State Would place them m a position to work the 'land profitably, yet by the 'upset price recoup itself for the outlay.