ROMANTIC SCHEME

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 451, 7 June 1937, Page 6

ROMANTIC SCHEME

SUNDAY ISLAND SETTLEMENT Frowned On By Minister Press Association —Copyright. "Wellington, June 5. *Tt has come to my knowledge that to syndicate is being formed in Auckland in. his own right and it is anticivelopmjent Syndicate,” stated Hon. F. Dangstone, Minister of Lands, in a statement to-day. “According to a circular issued offering shares at £-10 da ch, each share entitles the owners to four acres of land in his own righ and it is anticipated that it will take from three to six months for members to get and to iget the syndicate in working order. It is proposed to allow members £2O on joining up >and the balance at the rate of £2 a month. “In. the event of a full number of members having been obtained it is anticipated that there will be sufficient funds available to pay for the charter of a vessel, so providing free transport for members,” continued Mr Langstone. “The managing committee on behalf ’Of the Kermadec De. velopmet Syndicate will give a certificate of title 't,o each section of land and issue a membership card.

“As Minister of Lands I wish to discourage any person from investing in thi£i enterprise. Sunday Island comprises 7200 acres, of which 275 acres is freehold. I do not know how the syndicate proposes to give separate titles for the subdivision of the freehold, but presumably it will arrange for any necessary survey and registration of su bid i visional plans, etc.

“Thera is no harbour or access to the island other than by small boats,” said the Minister, “iand even they have great difficulty in landing passengers and goods on the beach. There is very little chance of direct communication being established between Auckland and Sunday Island, and it will be seen therefore that there would be no opportunity of marketing any produce which might bb grown there. “The Government has sufficient problems to face in providing access to New Zealand settlers situated fait relatively short distance from railways and harbours. Sunday island is 600 miles from Auckland, and it would be unfair to allow prospective settlers to think that communication would be made on their behalf by the Government. In the event of any sickness or outbreak of epidemic disease on the island the Government would be forced to find* ways and means of transporting the people affected. This would be most unfuir to the general taxpayers of New Zealand, who should not be expected to meet situations of this sort simply because some people want to plant themselves or others in such an outlandish plLJce as Sunday Island. “I trust that those who purpose inventing money in this venture will give full consideration to the facts and disabilities I have referred to,” concluded Mr Langstone.