LAND COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1482, 16 June 1905, Page 3

LAND COMMISSION.

(Per Press Asatooiation.) Wellington, last night. The Land Commission took farther evideDoo to-day. ■ . Alexander Osborne, a bookbinder, holder of an aero in Epuni workmen’s homes eettlement, near Wellington, presented a petition signod by 14 other Epuni settlers favoring the leasehold, They objected to valuers taking the same view of leasehold property as the freehold for taxiog purposes. Already it was hardship, and some of the settlers feared if it wont on they would have to relinquish their holdings. The Government had increased the rent on forfeited holdiogs when letting them again, and this caused dissatisfaction when those taking np the holdings discovered. 'Sut for such drawbacks tho workmen’s homes system would be a success. Be[valuations at the end of 25 years would be reasonable, though tho existing leases could not be revalued. N. J.'N. Adams, another Epuni settler, 3tated that many settlers who signed tho petition mentioned by the previous witness misunderstood its purport. They signed another petition against the present form of tenure. The restrictions were most unsatisfactory, rendering the working o£Jihe land to advantage an impossibility. r rv ‘ N Honly remedy to fully overcome the - Ranees was to grant the option of purPfiPSlF 6 ’ Settlers could not get the value of US improvements made when they left their holdings

Auckland, last night. Tbo northern section of the Land Commission pr.ocoed south by tho Rarawa, accompanied by Mr McKenzie, Auckland Commissioner of Crown Lands, who will be examined in Wellington by the full Commission on Saturday.