SPARE-TIME FARMING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 660, 11 May 1929, Page 10

SPARE-TIME FARMING

LAND FOR MINERS OFFER MADE TO CROWN especial to THE SUIS’) HUNTLT, Friday. The suggestion was made to the Hon. G. Y\\ Forbes, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, at Huntly this evening that an area of 3,200 acres of land near Rotowaro, offered to the Government on behalf of Mr. W. J .Ralph at £4 12s 6d an acre, should be used as a miner-farmer settlement. It was suggested that the land should be worked by miners in their spare time. Many of the men were said to be working only five shifts a fortnight. Mr. W. Lee. Martin, M.P. for Raglan, said he had inspected the property and thought the offer was reasonable, but he agreed that a thorough inspection should be made. Mr. T. Mclndoe, agent for Mr. Ralph, said it had been suggested there might be difficulty in securing water on all parts of the area. While Mr. Ralph believed water could be secured by boring where required, he was quite prepared to#withdraw these parts from the area if difficulty was experienced. Mr. Ralph was making a very liberal offer in being willing to accept payment in debentures at 41 per cent, over any period the Government desired. The area also had excellent possibilities for tobacco culture. The Minister said he understood there was difficulty in the way of cutting up the sections, but when that question and the question of water had been decided, the matter would be placed before the Land Purchase Board. Neither the Minister nor the Land Board Committee had anything to do with the matter of purchase.