LEASING OF RUNS.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 351, 29 January 1903, Page 5

LEASING OF RUNS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I enclose you a communication which I received, dated from Alexandra, from an anonymous correspondent. The letter, lam sire, will explain itself, and I append it for publication. It will be noted that it refers to the leasing of lands immediately along the route of the Otago Central Railway, between Ophir and Clyde. If the leasing of these lands is allowed, it will simply mean locking a vast area of fairly good arable land from close settlement; and in the immediate future may provide the Government reasonable grounds for excuse in not pushing forward our railway. Should any public steps be taken in the direction of protesting against the leasing of those lands, I shall readily assist such public protest to the best of my ability. Thanking yon in anticipation, I am, <fec. t Wm. C. Pitches. Clyde, Jan. 27tb, 1903.

"Alexandra, 24th January, 1903. "W. C. Pitches, Esq., Member of the County Council, Clyde. " Sir,—Doubtless you will have observed in the " Otago Witness " of the 21st inst., p. 33, the Land Board's advertisement notifying that certain. runs would be offered, on the 24th February, proximo, jon lease for a period of fourteen (14) years, possession of which will be given on the Ist March, 1904. As this notice includes the country known as the Moutere run being a portion of the Dunstan Riding in the Vincent County, of which you are I take the liberty of drawing your attention to the following facts:—The foot-hills on the Moutere are the only available agricultural and partly agricultural and pastoral land in your riding, for proof of which note the Strath-( 'lyde and neighbouring faims, and it is an indisputable fact that good wheat and oat land exists along the foot of the Dunstan mountains in this and the adjoining County of Maniototo. .If this land was open for selection no doubt close settlement would result. It must be apparent to you as an intelligent and enterprising business man, apart frdm your position as a councillor, that settlement even of a limited number of good sized farms or small grazing runs, means increased population and progress, and consequent wealth to your county. I need not delineate on the proximity of the land to a local market for all kinds of produce as well as its position to the railway now in course of construction, the possibilities of irrigation, &c. Hoping you will give this matter your careful thought, as, in my opinion, an opportunity is afforded you to materially improve the general prosperity of your riding and the whole county.—l am, dear sir, respectfully yours, A Ratepayer.