THE LAND HUNGER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 17, 13 February 1909, Page 6

THE LAND HUNGER.

WHEKK JS THE LAUD! Ttoro lias been u oouot as to how a shipload of desirable immigrants would fare if they called upon the (jovein-; menfc to place tliem on the land. The gentleman who could settle taut question is tin' l.'nder-.Secrctary of Luntls (Mr. Kensiiigioul. A eonursatioa with him by a Times reporter indicated ili.it he take, a keen ijcixiual interest in tlio immigrant who ..uiiw to i* a settler, and sends iiiii. away well primed with knowledge and advice, the hitler even extending to minute typewritten directions how to liiid various areas of Crown land open for selection. Tannin was at. mice mealione.i iiy Mr. Kensington as a ilesL.uiie place for the new settler, aad he also indicated future importunities. A ballot for three grazing runs oil the main road from .Napier In Tuupo take, place mi 2lith I'Vbrimry, mid there are ten sections in Hewi settlement near Tnupiri, in the Waikato, which may he taken up at once mi the renewable lease, the rentals varying from A'.22 half-yearlv for 2:.0 acres to t.)2 fur &SI ae'res of belter laud, though it is all good dairying country and there is a creamery on (lie spot. Once a section has been put up In ballot and fail- to draw im applicant, ihe first man who pick, it can occupy, and there are thousands of acres thus awaiting utilisation. The I'liucr-Sccietary a„,i'imarised ihi- position in the various hind districts:

Auckland: ;M4,0(H1 acres open for selection, including 724(1 acres pastoral j runs. About 40,(10(1 acres suhdivided. Nearly 1,000,000 acres for future disposal. Ilawke's Hay: Available lor future disposal, 170,000 acres. On 23th March 8400 acres in the Waimarama estate near Hastings to be opened under optional system, and (ibli acres under hand for Settlements Act. Turaiiaki: bund ready for settlement nearly all gone, but 200,000 acres for future disposal, a great deal of it being under survey and to be opened for selection in the spring. Wellington: 14,178 neves to be open for settlement on 20th February in the (South Waimarino Block, fourteen miles from Raetihi and thirteen from the Main Trunk line; bush country. Available for future disposal 250,000 acres. Nelson: Ready for selection 21,000 acres. For future disposal 700,000 acres. Wcstland: Ready for selection 10.000 acres rural runs. 720,000 acres pastoral vivas; left for future disposal 40.000 arccs. Southland: 41,000 acres open for selection, and IioO.OOO awaiting survey in the future. Only in Canterbury and Otago have (he pioneer's opportunities practically disappeared so far as Crown land is concerned. Eighty surveyors are now engaged hi preparing Crown lands for settlement, and their labors will result in 7(i."),000 additional acres of land being put on the market at no distant, date.