SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1919, Page 10

SOLDIER SETTLEMENT.

. THE POSITION IN TARANAKI. By Wire—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. Reporting on soldiers' settlement in Ttiranaki. the Lands Commissioner says that during the year, one estate, Croydon settlement, of C4O acre 3 in seven holdings, was opened for selection by di.-eharged soldiers. The hard season and influenza epidemic prevented the j soldier selectors getting good conditions for a start, but raost of them seem to be of the right stamp and. with reasonable luck, should begin to feel their ftct next season. They have put in crops and saved hay f«r winter feed. They were actually supplying to the factory this season. The other soldier settlements, Parkes and Tutntawa, are not yet through their initial difficulties, but are bidding fair to surmount them. A number of single improved farms have beep acquired for individual soldiers, but it is yet too early to speak decisively as to their success. In several instances they are already doing well. It is a difficult matter, with land at present prices, to successfully start men with the limited capital, possessed by the average soldier, even if his experience is entirely satisfactory. During the coming season I hope to have about 8000 acres of Crown land on the market.