LAND COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1404, 15 March 1905, Page 4

LAND COMMISSION.

EVIDENCE TAKEN AT QUEENSTOWN. The Land Commission had a pleasant trip to Queenstown. A small army of commissioners and others signified their intention of mnking the ascent of Ben Lomond next morning, but on the morrow the army had dwindled down to a regiment consisting of one commissioner and two reporters. Theso three thoroughly enjoyed the olitnb, and the romarkably fine view from the summit. A fow members of tho Commission made a steamer trip to the head of tho lake ; the others sat at Queenstown and took further evidence. Andrew Fraser, a farmer with a freehold and a leasehold, spoke of the necessity for allowing more favorable terms in connection with valuation for improvements on the leasehold. A man should be able to take up land with the right to purchase, but be would not like to see the freehold granted under the Lands for Settlement scheme. The area to be held by one man ehonld be limited.

George MoKonzie, Crown lands ranger, said settlement at the head of the lake was going baok. The land was poor, and was not being improved. Mining in lhe district was declining, and tho district was coming gradually to be a pastoral one, though there was some good agricultural land between QueoDstown and Arrowtown,and on tho Crown Terrace excellent barley was grown, and the wheat yield was 70 buahßls to the acre. The Chairman said he had known afield of oats on tho Crown Terrace to yield 112 bushels to tho acre.

Witness noticed changes in the seasons, and the harvest was sow two months later than it used to be. The majority of the Hawea Flat settlers wore doing very well. James Gorge, Government district valuer, said the value of land in the lower end of Vincent County was rising fast, on aooount of 'the pushing on of the Otago Central railway. It was also increasing in the Lake Country, on account of the rise in the prioe of stock. Land that was worth 30s an acre years ago was now worth £3 to £3 10s an acre. He referred to the unimproved value. Sales of agricultural land in the district had been at prices in excess of the Government capital values. There was no dairying except for local use. There was a strong desire amongst settlers and miners to have the large runs subdivided, so that they might engage in shsepfarmiDg. John Edgar, minor, and at one time chairman of the County Council, said mining was not progressing in the district at present. The agricultural and pastoral occupations'were never more prosperous than at present. Francis Moßride, farmer, said rabbits were still numerous in the district.

3 THE PICNIC CONTINUED. (Eeu Press Association.) Dunedin, last night. The Land Commission is making a flying tonr of of the interior of Otago. Evidonoe was taken at Cromwell yesterday, and a start made at 7 a.m. for Clyde. Here evidenco was taken, the witnessee for the most port favoring the freehold. The great cry was that not enough land was thrown open and the necessity for water conservation for irrigation. A splendid display of fruit was made by a witness named Sheehy, for which he was specially thanked. A start was made for Alexandra, and on the way a visit paid to Mr Iversens’ orchard. Hero more fruit was shown, the Commissioners admitting they had never seen anything equal to the peaches. Mr Iversens gave ovidonoe strongly in favor of the freehold, instancing Denmark, his native country,' where it was found that leaseholders took all they could out of the ground. Tho land had been converted into freehold, and now Denmark produced nineteen millions worth of produce. Other witnesses referred to the land hunger, and said that wherever water was available land would be taken up. A lease in perpetuity enabled a poor man to' take up land. The deferred payment system should 1 bo included in the tenures. To-morrow the Commission proceeds to Omakau.