OUR SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1917, Page 8

OUR SOLDIER SETTLERS.

THE PARKES SETTLEMENT. BALLOT FOR SECTIONS. A special meeting of the Land Board was held yesterday at the Lands office, for the purpose of examining the applicants and balloting for the right of selection in the Parkes Settlement, opened on 3rd instant, for returned soldiers. The settlement consists of seven lots, averaging slightly less than (JO acres, of rich dairying land, situated on the Eltham road, about one mile from Kaponga. The terms offered were cash, deferred payments or renewable lease carrying advances for stock, buildings and improvements up to £SOO, under existing regulations. The officials received 49 applications, covering all the sections, forty being the highest number for a single section" and the examination of each applicant in committee was carried out bv the Land Board at the Courthouse, which was courteously placed at the board's disposal by the stipendiary magistrate (Mr. A. M. Crooke). The board went carefully into the position of each applicant, more particularly with reference to practical experience as regards the purposes for which the land was suited. Nine applicants were struck out of the ballot for various qualifications, namely, non-appearance for personal examination by the board, and not being landless within the meaning of the Act, which places on the board the onus of determining which of the applicants is most suitable to occupy the land. After scrutinising all the applications, the ballot, was/ conducted by the board, under the supervision of the 'Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. G. H. Bullard), and the scrutiny Bishop (Hawera), who was deputed to act by the interested applicants. The following is the result of the drawing: Section Is, block XI, 49ac. 3rd. 37p. (37 applicants); 6. J. Lewis (Eltham); renewable lease (33 years); half yearly rental £42 15s. Section 2s, 53ac. 2rd. Op (39. anpacants); C. N. Gordge i&u-iu-ford); renewable lease. £- M I|IS - Section S, 53ae. 2rd, lp. (3i) wt>! I;eants); W. C. Haggan lU "'■• karongona); renewable £49 10s. ,'Jeotion 4s, 59ae. 3rd. 35p. (3(1 n^-': cants); G. W. Towgood f\Vanganui); renewable lease, £55 13s 9d. Section ss, COac. 3rd, 34p. (39 applicants); Leslie Jackson (Maiiutahi); renewable lease), £55 13s 9d, Section os, OOac. (40 applicants); W. B. Lavcll (Hawera);. renewable lease, £55 7s. Section 7s, GOac. (39 applicants); W. T. T. Jones (New Plymouth), renewable lease, £55 13s 9d. At the conclusion of the drawing the Land Board met the successful applicants, when the commissioner briefly explained the conditions under which the Government makes advances for stocking the land, and introduced the Crown Lands ranger in charge (Mr. E- A. Meredith), who acts for this department in negotiating for the supply of stock, implements, and other items under the !ieo<ling of improvements. The applicants gave the Impression of being a capable body of men, and possessing the requisite experience for handling such lands, so should, with industry, make a success of their newly-aequired holdings. Under the regulations the Land Board has the power to limit selections in ballot under the Act solely to married men, especially these with families, but the board decided in the absence of any notification (o that effect on the official plans, to treat all the applicants alike on this occasion.