LAND FOR SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 September 1919, Page 5

LAND FOR SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

TAIHAPE PROPERTIES REQUIRED. The secretary of the Taihape and District Returned Soldiers’ Association recently wrote to the Minister ‘of Lands and urged that an effort be made to provide land for settlemcant by returned soldiers in the Tailmpc district. The Minister was advised that a large number of discharged soldiers with practical experience of local farming conditions were being compelled to seek land in other «listricts and the disadvantages of the present ‘system were pointed out. Representations were also made with refernce to the Ngaurukehu estate. The Minister of Land has forwarded the following letter in reply, dated September 26th:— I

“I am in receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, on the subject of land for returned soldiers in the Taihape district. “In my reply to your previous communication on this subject, I said that the Mangahaone Estate was under consideration -by the Land Purchase Board_ The position is that the acquisition of this property has been considered by the Board "on more than one occasion; and I am now advised that with the exception of isolated portions of the property, it is quite unsuitable for soldier settlement purposes. The only other property in your district that has been offered to the Government and is under consideration is that of Mr Ledward‘. “Mr R. ‘W. Smith, M.P., asked a question in the House yesterday in regard to this matter, and the only reply I can give him is that with the exception of the twop ‘roperties re—' ferred to above, the only block that has been definitely brought under my notice is one on the Rangitikei river which has been reserved on account of the large quantity of niillingltiniber, o’n'it. -- . _.

5“I':~::£IIL'-m0St anoxiou-s go.-meet _3_{9}l;r Association-. in ,its. desire ~ to~.bo.bviate the necessity .for the local men having t_'o“go out of the district to secure se‘t-' tlement. sections; and 11. -should be __in-‘ debted to your Olfganisafion if it‘ would assist me in this‘ ma-tteVr securing options over any suitable "land in the district_ Any offem forwarded to me will be considered without delay.”