CLOSER SETTLEMENT IN MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8478, 4 July 1907, Page 6

CLOSER SETTLEMENT IN MASTERTON.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

Some time ago the Masterton Borough Council brought Jthe matter of closer settlement in Masterton under the notice of the Minister of Lands. The reply that was rjeceived by the Council in connection* therewith showed that the Minister had misunderstood the Council's wishes in the matter. The Council again wrote explaining that it desired to have land near Masterton set apart for closer settlement, and not for Workers' Homes. The following reply has now been received from the Minister of Lands by the Town Clerk (Mr R. Brown), through Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R.:—Re land for closer settlement I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of this date, forwarding a communication from the Town Clerk of Masterton. If, as the Council represents, it has never made application in connection with workers' homes, and has no knowledge of any offer submitted to the Land Purchase Board, perhaps it would bring things more to a head if they would indicate what property they are referring to. Enquiries could then be made." You know the circumstances surrounding the matter, and the fact that if the land is required for settlement in the towns it comes under the jurisdiction of the Labour Department to state whether they require such lands for workers' dwellings. I am at all times ready to consider the claims of any district for the purchase of land under the Lands for Settlements Act, but I would prefer the Council in this case to state what properties they wish to secure. It would then be possible to ascertain whether the purchase of the land is feasible or not.