LAND COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1490, 26 June 1905, Page 4

LAND COMMISSION

The sitting of the Land Commission was brought to a conclusion on Saturday when about a dozen witnesses were examined. Captain Tucker, "as lessee of Campbell Island, urged that it should be treated ex ceptionally on account of the distance from New Zealand and the expense incurred each trip The Government did not spend a sixpence on public works in the Island. ELe did not ask for the freehold, but he desired some consideration for his improvements. Adams Knox, Willows state, hold 30 acres and his wife 20, under the lease in perpetuity tenure. Ho was not dissatisfied with the rent, but preferred the freehold if he could get it. He thought the "Willows had been cut up into too small holdings ; although at the time it was subdivided it was big enough for the number of settlers. The revaluation of the holdings would neither be fair nor honorable. David Shaw, Nuhaka, owner "of 100 acres freehold, represented the Nuhaka Farmers’ Union, and heartily supported the freehold. He referred to the hard times experienced by settlors owing to the want of roads. G. K. Joblin, Nuhaka, submitted an able statement which was read by the Commission. Witness did not think the right to purchase the freehold would have a beneficial effocti but rather the reverse. Thomas Todd, holder of a small grazing run at Waimata, spoke of the inability to rate themselvos for road purposes. He also desired to know what his second lease would he. He thought a provision should be inserted in the lease so that six cr seven years before the lease ran out they would know what they had to confc ibufco.

p. T. Konway spoke on the same lines as the previous witness. With his brothers ha had 6000 acres in the Waimata, and ho was also maoager for a company that held 16,000 acres. They held one small grazing run of 2000 acres, and were prepared to be rated for roads, but they would like the right to get the freehold. G. E. Darton, land agent, Gisborne, on behalf of Crown tenants, urged a rebate of rent for prompt payment. In Auckland and other land districts this wa3 given, but in the Hawko’e Bay district it was not. Ho also Epoko on tenants being represented on the Land Board. He objected to iho granting of the freehold, for once it was obtained it often went to augment some already large estate. J. Bulsfc, holder of 1000 acres occupation with right of purchase, at Bakauroa, contended that the Land Boar'd should have discretionary powers in regard to residential claims.

A. J. Cameron, holder of a lease in perpetuity of 11,000 acres in the Waiapu County, strongly urged the right of purchase. He considered the laud should rightly belong to those who could work it and bring it into a state oj production. W- L. ClaytoD, secretary of the Poverty Bay Farmers’ Union, as representing that body strongly supported the freehold tenure. He considered leaseholders were fully entitled to the freehold provided the State’s costs were paid. M. T. Trafford, holder of a small grazing run, urged that they should be allowed to rate themselves for road purposes. This concluded the sitting, and the Commission left for Wellington by the s.s. Talune last evening.