LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2151, 28 March 1908, Page 3

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

SOUTH WESTLAND COUNTRY. Press Association. HOKITIKA, March 27. For sections of land in Wa taro a Valley, South Westland, nearly four hundred applications were received, as many as forty applications being received for a single section. Twentytwo applicants wero excluded from the ballot as being ineligible, already possessing sufficient land. Tho acting Commissioner announced that tho Board had decided to enforce the provisions of the law as to improvements and residence, and successful applicants were warned to this effect; all, however, -agreed to submit to tho conditions. THE TAUMATA ESTATE.

DUNEDIN, March 27. Press Association. _ m Applicants in connection with the Taiimnata settlement of 3686 -acres totalled 80, who put in 109 applications for nine farms. Six applicants wero rejected, the Board not considering them to be classed as landless. The majority of the applicants wero residents of Otago, but there were several from Canterbury, one from Wellington, and oqo from Martinborough. The ballot took place to-day

A CASE FOR PREFERENCE. Press Association. DUNEDIN, March 27. In connection with the ballot to-day for sections in the Tamnatu settlement, some surprise apears to be expressed at the action of the Alinister of Lands in refusing to grant a preference section without- ballot to a man n ; a-uied William Patton. It appears that Patton had been employed on the- estate for nearly seventeen years, and that he loses his employment as tlie result of the acquisition ol' tlio property by the Government. It is stated that the -Land Board approved of preference being given to Patton, and also that the Commissioner, in forwarding a recommendation to the Minister, explained tint the -applicant -was ail able-bodied man, and could easily get employment elsewhere. The Minister refused to grant a preference, with the result that Patton had to take his chance at the ballot of being Unsuccessful.