The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1893. THE LAND PURCHASE BOARD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2905, 22 February 1893, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1893. THE LAND PURCHASE BOARD

In view of the fact that four months have elapsed since Parliament rose, it has been a matter for surprise-that the Government has not pushed matters forward more rapidly with a view to giving practical effect to the Land for. Settlements Act. It is true that dur* ing the past month or so offers of land suitable for settlement in small holdings have been invited on the part of private jowners, but that might and we think should have been done immediately the House rose. But though there was some dilatoriness on the part of the Government in this particulardue probably to the serious illness immediately after session of the Minister for Lands—the late Colonel Eichbaum, and the members for South Canterbury, certainly, and in all probability other members also, have not been idle, and have submitted to Ministers a maas of information as to the localities in which it is especially desirable to afford facilities for the extension of settlement, and as to L*nds which, as regards position, quality, and price, it would be desirable to acquire for the purpose. We have made enquiries and learn that in response to the Government, advertisements and through the efforts of the members and others referred to, a number of offers of land have been submitted, and it now only remains that these should be considered and reported upon by the independent authority set up by the Land tor Settlements Act to put the Government in a position to take action. That independent authority is the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners, whose duty it is to enquire as to the demand for land for settlement in the locality where it is proposed that the Crown should acquire land for the purpose, and as to the quality, value and general suitability of the land offered, thus ensuring, or far as it is possible to eneure ao desirable a result, that only the right sort of land should be bought, in theright localities and at prices which will enable it to be profitably disposed of and profitably occupied. We are glad to see that the Board has now been set up and its constitution is such as to entitle it to public confidence, consisting as it does of the SurveyorGeneral, the Commissioner of Taxes, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and the District Land Registrar. A more competent tribunal it would not be possible to select, and we feel sure that the matter will be dealt with by the Board upon safe lines and sound principles. The Board will sit shortly in Canterbury and thereafter in Otago.