GOVT. POLICY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 540, 25 May 1933, Page 5

GOVT. POLICY

: settlement blocks MINISTER INDICATES FUTURE INTENTIONS REGARDING SELECTION GOOD RESULTS ACHIEVED An important indication of his department's policy in regard to the Galatea, Ngakuru and Onepu d'evelopment blocks was given hy the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, in the course of his remarks at the official opening of the Rotorua A. and P. Association's new show building yesterday, together with the opening of the association's 1933 winter exhibition. The Minister said that although a great deal of criticism had been directed at himself and at his department in regard to the development of these areas, he was proceeding along a definite line of policy and did not intend to be diverted from the line of action upon which he had determined. He felt that he could justly claim that excellent results had been achieved and that his policy had been justified. Referring to the Galatea estate, the Minister said that this had been his first venture after he had assumed the portfolio of lands and he was prepared to accept the very fullest responsibility for it. Criticism had

been directed at the alleged delay in the settlement of this area, but it was his policy to proceed with the , consolidation of the pastures bef ore placing settlers upon them. In effect, he intended to develop the weaker portion of the block while running the better portion as a sheep and ! cattle station which would return interest upon the capital investment. Progress at Galatea For fifty years bef ore it had been taken over by the Government, Galatea had been a private cattle and sheep station. A great deal of its pastures had been neglected' except for an area of 10-,000 aeres which was in rather better grass than the remainder. The total area of the block was 22,000 acres and it was hoped in the final realisation of the scheme to settle at least 200 settlers upon it. The Government had now held the block for fourteen months and during that time had carried on the 10,000 acres of better class pasture as a run. At the same time, 2000 acres had been sown in new grass and the whole area had been adequately roaded together with many miles of f eneing. He was now prepared to give his first indication of the lines along which the settlement of the block would be carried out. The first ballot would be held in February of next year when 20 sections on which the new grass had been consolidated, would be offered'. The average size of the sections would

be in the vicinity of lOOacres which was considered adequate to carry a good dairy herd. In 1935 a further 30 or 40 sections would be offered with another 50 in the following year and so on until the whole of the block was taken up. It was anticipated that dwellings and buildings would be provided upon 50 per cent. of the sections, while the remainder would be left vacant. Settlers who desired to erect their own homes, could apply for the vacant sections. The same policy in regard to buildings would he adopt-

ed in regard to the Ngakuru and Onepu blocks. Water would be provided on each section and it was proposed that the cost should be paid off on an instalment plan. So far as Galatea was concerned, it was proposed to establish a demonstration farm this year on the same lines as the farm already being run at Ngakuru. He considered that the whole area could be d-e-veloped into a model dairy settlement of 200 sections. Ngakuru Block Excellent results were being obtained on the Ngakuru block. On this area, a demonstration farm of 170 acres had been established and was yielding very good returns. The progress could be gauged from the fact that the butter-fat production on the farm had risen from 13,3701b. in 1931-32 to 18,000.1b. in 1932-33- • During the same year, the butter-fat production per acre had risen from . 87.71b. to 1061b. At present there were 40 cows and 40 heifers on the demonstration farm, but events had ,proved that 100 cows could have been carried comfortably. In addition to the pasturing, 220 tons of ensilage had been stored and 60 tons of hay. The whole farm would very adequately have paid its way in the hands_of a competent farmer or share-mfiker. So far as Ngakuru was cqncerned, it was proposed to place another six share-milkers upon it immediately while 25 sections would be offered for selection in February next. j Onepu Block Another typical example of the progress which had been made in land settlement was provided by the Onepu block. This had at one time been known as the "Blaek Desert," and evpn by the older residents of the district had been regarded as a hopeless proposition for cultivation. Government operations on the block had commenced in January, 1931, and in June of the following year^th© t first ballot had been held. As an example of the results which had been achieved, he would take the I case of one section. This was by no means the best, but he thought the production figures spoke for them- • selves. This settler, Mr. Davies, in the first year had milked 70 heifers and his production at the end of the seaspn was estimated at 18,0Q01b. . This equalled 1501b. per acre jbutterfat for first year heifers and at 9d a lb. rppresented a return of £625 fpr the season and all this had been taken pff an area which g, year preyiously had been ^egqrded qs a barren waste. There" were" very few farmers, even in the richer parts of New Zealand, who could s|io^ a beL

:ter record. In addition to the 70 «; heifers already mentioned, the follow;ing stock had also been carried on this section,; 12 heifers, three bulls, ltwp horses, 109 head of bullocLs hafi been grazed for seven weeks, and a .further 108 head had been grazed over a period of four weeks while • 50 acres had been set aside for hay and ensilage. It was proposed to offer a further ' six sections on this area for selection ; during the next few days and applications would close on May 26. It was the Government's policy to give intending settlers an opportunity to acquire stock and accordingly 150 heifers in ealf, already on the block would be offered for sale at Te Teko early in June. It was also proposed to offer a further 12 sections for selection next year. A summary of the Government's programme during the next few iponths and until Fehruary next showed' that on the Galatea block, 18 sections would be thrown open for selection, on Ngakuru 31 sections, and op the Onepu block 20 secfious, making a fotal qf ^9 well grassed farms, all of which would fcie in permanent pasturq and ready to talce hprds. Buildings would b£ j Orected upon 50. per cent. of these • holdings and' advances for the erection of buildings jWould be available in other casqs.