Clifton soldier settlement

TWO MORE sections on Clifton have been taken up by returned soldiers (says the Clutha Leader). The unoccupied land on this settlement has been largely availed of by farmers whose grass fields and winter feed were damaged by the recent floods. The soldier settlers, who are getting more contented with their lot, are troubled by the rabbit nuisance, which is accentuated on account of no efforts being made to check the pest on the unlet sections. It is very difficult for the settlers to save their turnips from the depredations of the rabbits.

However, as members of the board and their officers are now giving practical proof of their sympathy with the soldier settlers, it may be expected that the board will give the settlers every assistance in procuring necessary wire netting. If the Government netted the dividing fences the incoming tenants could be loaded with their share of this cost, and the immediate benefit resulting from the wire netting would give the present settlers a better opportunity for paying the rent. In the matter of the rent the board is allowing remission or abeyance wherever deemed advisable. While appreciating the beneficial advice given by the rangers, the settlers would still like to see some local person appointed who would have the authority to give necessary advice. For this reason some of them are of the opinion that it would be helpful to them if a Government experimental farm were established at Clifton. Other soldier settlers are, however, averse to this proposal.