LAND SETTLEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1589, 20 October 1905, Page 2

LAND SETTLEMENT.

LIBERAL ASSOCIATION’S PROPOSAL.

At the Cook County Counoil meetiog yesterday a letter was read from the Liberal Association asking the Council to join in urging tho Government to obtain

laods along the railway line., between Karaka and Motu for close settlement. Cr Clayton said that the greater portion of the Wahuka block was leasehold, whioh would fall into the Government’s hands, and there was only 10,000 acres freehold. If this were divided into six plaoos it would not increase the production or population. There were 40 people on the station at the present time, and the land was purely pastoral.

The Chairman said the Counoil certainly ought to impress on tho Government the desirability of taking tbo lands needod for the railway line at once. Cr Clayton said it was altogether boyond the provinoo of tho Council, and any way was ridiculous.

" Waihuka is only pastoral country,” Cr Whits explained. Cr Clayton asked if tho Liboral Association wanted laud cut up, why did they not got a blook taken on tho flats, where the land was suitabio for cutting up.

Or tlardiug said the Association had not specified oDy patt;oulir land along tho liue. On tho motion of tho Chairman it was resolvod that 'ho Co moil wrllo to tho Ministor of Railways, suggo-ting (bat tbo wbolo of tbo land inquired for the railway to Motu bo taken at chop, otherwise tf R woro loft tbo Government might have to pay twioo its presout valuo, owing to riito lavaluoi,