SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 May 1919, Page 5

SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

14,000 ACRES TO BE OPENED. IN BAY OF PLENTY AND WAIKATO. r The Auckland Crown Lands Commissioner (Mr H. M. Skeet) announces two new areas of land to be opened! up shortly for settlement by returned soldiers. The first is a block of 11,200 acres of Crown land, situated about 30 miles fiom Botorua, beyond Lake Rotoma, on the road to Whakatane. The land is under course of survey, and the only areas reserved by the Crown will be those carrying timber. Practically the whole of the block is in bush. The present intention is to carry out the reading of the block in conjunction with settlement, with the object of enabling settlers to earn wages pending receipt of returns from the land. Selection will be in the ordinary "way, sections being allotted to suitable applicants, and a ballot being held where there are two cr more, applicants, A further estate of over 3000 acres, located about ten miles south-east of To Awamutu, has been purchased by the Government under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act. The vendor is Mr W. G-. Park, who is retaining 700 acres. The purchase price has not been disclosed. This block is placed in the category of first-class settlement land, and it is intended t osubdivide it closely. The land probably will be available in the spring.