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Land Settlement

The first portion of the railway journey from Durban to Maritzburg, the Capital of the Province, conveys the impression that Natal is fairly well populated—so far as Colonies are—and it comes as a surprise to most visitors to learn that Natal has only some five thousand farmers in all, and that it imports most of its food-stuffs. The land has all the appearance of "flowing with milk and honey." and yet has to import over four million pounds' weight of condensed milk a year, as well as much of the honey it requires. The first settlers, the Dutch, led almost entirely a pastoral existence, and the British following in their foot-steps have led a similar life, with the result that the average farm-holding at the present day in Natal exceeds 2,000 acres (4.000 and 5,000 acre farms being common), and that Natal has to rely on the outside world for the bulk of its agricultural and dairy produce.

A step in the direction of remedying this state of affairs and bringing about closer settlement was, however, taken in the passage of a Bill, entitled •'The Agricultural Development Bill,*' through the Legislature in 1904. This Act authorised the foundation of a Land Board, consisting of four members of the farming community and one Government representative, with power, among other things, to select and render financial assistance to settlers and generally supervise the settlements.

HOW LANDS ARE ALLOTTED. — Crown Lands which may be open for selection by settlers are advertised from time to time in the Government Gazette, and intending applicants are required to make their applications upon a prescribed form to the Land Board, through the Secretary to the Land Board, Pietermaritzburg. They are also called upon to deposit an amount estimated to be sufficient to cover the cost of surveying the land applied for; to submit documentary evidence in regard to stock and capital, and to appear before the Board, or an individual member thereof, in support of their applications. In the event of there being more than one approved applicant for any particular farm or piece of land, recourse is had to the ballot. The term "ballot" is used as it is the one which appears in the Crown Land regulations, but the allotment of land applied for by more than one approved applicant is decided by the drawing of lots rather than by a ballot in the strict sense of the term. Should an applicant not be successful in obtaining land, the amount deposited on account of survey fees is returned to him.

In the case of the ordinary Crown Lands, the purchase price is payable in twenty annual instalments, the first of which is due and falls payable at the end of the third year from the date of allotment (being in respect of that year), and thereafter yearly at the end of every subsequent year. The purchase price per acre of the lands in Natal, suitable for stock and sheep-farming, averages from 10s. to 15s. Lands suitable for agricultural purposes vary considerably, from 10s. to £3 10s. per acre, according to the quality of the soil and to their proximity to the railway. No condition is imposed in regard to the value of the house to be erected by the allottees, it being considered that settlers should be encouraged to devote as much as possible of their capital to the development of their lands. Personal occupation, except in special cases, is insisted upon.

Special regulations are in force governing the disposal of lands which have been acquired by the Government at Winterton, Weenen, Varkensfontein. Eendvogel Vlei and Dubbelrecht. In the case of the Varkensfontein, Eendvogel Vlei and Dubbelrecht lands, the regulations are almost identical with those which apply to the ordinary Crown lands of the Province, the principal difference being that the first instalment of purchase price is payable at the end of the first year instead of at the end of the third.

In the ease of persons who are already the owners in freehold or quit-rent tenure of a greater extent than one hundred acres of land, the allotment of additional land rests with Ministers, after a recommendation in the matter has been made by the Board.