LAND SETTLEMENT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 257, 22 June 1932, Page 2

LAND SETTLEMENT

MINISTER REVlfcWS THE PROGRESS OF" THE YEAR. MANY FARMS SELECTED. A reiview of the progress of land settlement in New Zealand during the last three years was made by the Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) in the course of an interview with the -Wellington Post. Mr. Ransom said that steady progress had been maintained in the placing of new settlers on the land. During the three years endad on March 31 last 2080 farms were selec-. ted, the total area taken up amounting to 738,400 acres. Of ■these farms, 955 comprised properties that had never previously been selected. The total area of these entirely new farms was about 200,000 acres, and they included 247 farms provided out-of estates. purchased and subdivided for closer settlement. The remainder, 1125, chiefly comprised partially improved and deteriorated sections which had been forfeited or abandoned, and which were reselected with advances for development. "Good progress has also been made

with land development ojoerations," said the Minister. "Development work has been carried out on twelve blocks, totalling 78,000 acres, of which 31,000 acres are being developed. So far over 12,000 acres have been laid i down in grass while 8600 acres have been cleared of scrub and hush and will be burnt and sown in due course. "The expenditure on these blocks amounts to £171,000, and it is estimated they will provide 275 holdings, practically all of which will he devoted to dairying. "No settlers have yet been placed on the development areas, but 34 partly developed farms on which it will possible to carry dairy stock right away are being offered to the public this month. Selectors of these areas will be able to apply for development advances to assit them in the further iniprovement of the farms. "The system of granting development advances to individual settlers under the legislation of 1929 has greatly facilitated the opening up of numerous areas of improved * land, and has resulted in a fairly steady demand for this class of country. Over £141,000 has already been authorised in advances to settlers, and fresh applications are being dealt with from month to month."