FREE LAND.

Wairarapa Age, 4 February 1927, Page 5

FREE LAND.

NEW AND NOVEL SCHEME OF SETTLEMENT.

HUN. A. D. McLEOD’S PROPOSALS

A new scheme of settlement under which the Government is about to offer certain inferior lands to settlers for nothing, subject only to stated improvements being carried out within a definite period, was outlined in Wellington yesterday by the Hon. A. D. McLeod (Minister of Lands).

Under tho new policy, the settler will be given a license to occupy. This occupation license is for ten years, and is rentless. The conditions of the license set out grades of improvements (tWh yearly, four yearly and six yearly). That is to say, the total improvements required are normally expected to take not more than six years, but they may be done in much shorter time.

Completion of tho total improvements will give the right to free freehold, and if the occupation licensee completes them all in two years, instead of taking six, he i,s at once fully qualified to become a freeholder. In short, he pays his footing by improvements to land the fee simple of which then comes to him gratis. The requirements relating to improvements were explained by the Minister in detail. Briefly, the position is that the permanent grassing of half the area taken up, and permanent improvements of a value of not less than £1 10s an acre, will entitle a settler to the grant of his area in fee simple. The Minister pointed out that there were various difficulties in the way of offering lands which otherwise might be suitable to the purpose. He referred to certain National Endowment lands and Native lands. However, a start was being made, notwithstanding difficulties. “ With the object of introducing this system of settlement as early as possible,” said Mr. McLeod, “steps are now being taken to set apart two blocks, one of gum land in the North Auckland land district, and one of pumice land in the Auckland land district.

“The gum land is part of the Riverhead block, situated close to Auckland, and comprises about ten sections, ranging in area from about 110 acres to 128 acres.

“The block of pumice land is situated between Atiamuri and Waiotapu and contains about 15,000 acres, subdivided into large sections, considerable portions of which comprise undulating land in tussock, fern and scrub.” The new policy is being applied under the provisions of section 223 of the Land Act, 1924.