TARANAKI LANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 201, 14 August 1908, Page 2

TARANAKI LANDS.

This report of tin: Commissioner cf Lamia in Taranaki for Liu; past year lately laid before Parliament, is not v, ithout interest to the people of tiie pi' .i!ite. Tiie C'omuiissiottur says: "Had ill' l i-'inl. been available, nu doubt lie-' result., would have been very nnnii larger, i'lt towards Ike end of l!)o7 every available section was taken up, and there were no new lands ready u> oiler." it appeal's that some odd lots "ere got ready, and in all there ,vas now about (i(),0IJI) acre* available, of which 52 selections were made; and al the close of the year ended 31»t March, 1008, only iiaoo acres were open for selection. The selectors paid the usual tribute of preference for the option of purchase. As to the rural land oli'ereu, -15 selections, totalling 42,150 acres, were taken up on the o.r.p. tenure; onlv one selection was taken with a lease-in-per-petuity title; and for cash not one selection was made. As to the conditions and progress of settlement, the Commissioner says the evidence of substantial advance has been very marked, i''or instance, the improvements required jy law in the central and southern divisions would have totalled in value £48,01)0 odd; the improvements actually cll'ecled were valued at £97,323. Jn the northern and more lately settled districts the work of improvement was equally satisfactory. The arrears of rent were less this year than in (he previous year, £1487 as against ;C1!I23; but the Commissioner remarks that it is Diily by constant attention and occasional resort lo legal proceedings that this fairly satisfactory position can l'e maintained. There have been comparatively few forfeitures, and mostly these have been for failure to improve. Waul, of experience, shortness of capital, and difficulty in obtaining the services of bushfellers at anything like a reasonable rate are set down as the contributory ci uses. During the current year an area n[ about 17,000 acres is expect":! to be available. In his references to the special settlement estates the CoinmissiojuT is able to say a good word in "nearly ail ea-a-s. As to the Tokaora settlement, where he progre-s „s very steady, if is reported that (here are OS persons resident and the totil value of improvements is e-l2;18. Clandon and Iluinga settlements are well spoken of; but the Spotv.vood sellleinciit, near Mew Plymouth, remains ■ s bad a ''frost'' as ever. There are beUveen 25,0(10 and 30,0110 acres Rsorv'.'d under tUo National Endowments Act. Hie oretl|MllU of wliieh will haVP to contemplate Hie vonewalile lease as tlieir lemire. Most of this land, howevjr. is a good way back.