LAND FOR CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 23

LAND FOR CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

DEPUTATION TO THE HON. R. M'NAB. FEILDING, February 11. During his visit to the Fcildinu; district veoterday afternoon the Hon. R. M'Nab ((Minister of Lands) received a deputation at Cheltenham, which pointed out the desirability of acquiring some estates in the district for closer settlement. Tho=c included Messrs Elkingrton's. Johnston's, and E. J. Riddiford's. the latter being an i absentee. It was pointed out that the land could be well cut up into from 50 to 100 aor-e farms. In replying, the Minister *aid it was desirable to have closer settlement in a fertile district like Cheltenham, co as to work the land to its fullest extent. It seemed a pity that land covering surh largo areas should emp'ov so few people. He did not know any nlace whcip closer settlement could bo more advantageously carried out than Cheltenham. Ho did not like to have to enforce the compulsory clause of the act. always preferring to i negotiate for voluntary fc-alo. Immediately on his return 1o Wellington hf would instruct the chairman of (ho Land Purchase | Board to communicate \\ ith tho owners of , the land referied to r.nrl a-eenuti whether thsy would d]»no«e of t'rtf lai.d at a reason- ' able fijru-c. If not (he fmtK r oue«rion would arise a- fo what steps the (to\ciii- ' ment should take If tho owners of lame ' ni-TOorti's did pot i that tlm time j had co:r° wlun land mu-t be c u*>'li\ hlcv'. j Miev could not bo allowed (o block clc~.or ■^.'trlemoar. and th 1 oueifiot of coinpjlaoiy j aequieirion must comp m ; ASHIU'RTOX. February ]5. ' XeirK TOO fariiicrs attended a =übdi' i-. on sale of PSH acre* of Mr 15 A. M V,w k- - iov'-, wol' known La.-n^iri F.^rate ,o-<la_» The land was offeifd in 29 blocks, and brought from £2 per aci(> foi \on i or.. 1 country to £32 for hoaw i-Pdch land lbutting on the Ashbm ton Riut tho a\ej - a = 2 price per aero boinff £9 Ev»i-y section fontid a nurehaber. the bidding hein<i ictv brisk The total amount realised wa:> £'8.013. The pi ices obtained for lie A hrco highest sections were £^2, £32, suid £29

' 10s for 315 acres, 350 acres, and 280 acres respectively, the purchasers being Messrs James Quigley (Tinwald), Samuel Holland (Tinwald), and Thomas Wooiley (Heriot, Otago). The same land was offered to th* Government about 18 months ago at an average of over £2 per acre less than what was obtained to-day at the end ii a specially dry season.