The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1882.

Kumara Times, Issue 1667, 1 February 1882, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1882.

Whex the Kumara Education Reserve Act cume into operation on the first of Jane, 1880, the dwellers in this town very naturally supposed that many of the difficulties which had hitherto stood in the way of permanent settlement would disappear. The only good result of the Act as yet is in the sale of some land to certain section-holders who held it under lease. With regard to mining privileges held within the borough there was for a long time a kind of interregnum, during which the mighty question of fees and charges was being considered. That at length settled it was found that apart from that things were in a ten times worse condition than before. The fact'id that there are now three sets of masters to sue to instead df one as formerly. First we have the Warden, who, under the Mines Act and the Regulations, has absolute power to grant or refuse any mining applications made within the Reserve. Then we hive the Borough Council, which passes resolutions about the Reserve, re-considers, and rescinds them. Then mora resolutions, slightly varying from the former onea, hut having fm their object the prevention of the Slling-np the gaps in the streets, which gaps would have been built upon long ago if every obstruction in the « r ay of settlement had not been thrown in the way. Next we have the School Commissioners in Hokitika, who of late appear to be rather nonplussed as to the position they shall take up with regard to the Reserve. When first the Act came into operation, the Commissioners, after consideration of the question, arrived at the conclusion that they

had no power to let or lease any more sections ; but some of the clauses of the measure are so loosely worded that it is imposs ble to say with any degree of certainty what they really mean. It is now stated, however, that the •School Commissioners have seen reasons for altering their former opinions However this may be, it is quite certain that if the Act is to work usefully and smoothly, it must be considerably amended. In the meantime, concessions should be made on all sides, so as to lessen the difficulties which are placed in the way of obtaining the land. The Borough Council appear to be afraid that if residence areas were granted within the Reserve, that the cultivation of such areas will not warrant the striking of a rate which would produce returns as large as those from other parts of the town. But if these sections remain unoccupied, how about the revenue-then ? The very first duty of a municipal body obviously is the improvement of the borough over which they have control, and no mere trifles should be allowed to stand in their way in carrying out such an object. The law provides obstacles enough, so that it is unnecessary to create others. There are many parts of the town where the streets will not be formed for many years to come, and surely it would be far better to allow people who are willing to clear and cultivate this land, to do so than to leave it in its present wild and unproductive condition. The majority of the sections within the Borough of Kumaia require expenditure in labor to the extent of one hundred pounds per acre, at the very lowest estimate, before a crop can be put in, and yet when we find men who are willing to turn the miserable waste we see before us into gardens, their are rebuffed at every step, and frequently their applications rejected without the slightest reason being given for such rejection. Gridironing the Canterbury plains was not one whit worse than the obstruction which is now being carried on in connection with the permanent settlement of this town. In other boroughs throughout the colony it is customary for candidates for municipal honors to explain their views publicly to the burgesses previous to the day of polling, and afford an opportunity of being questioned upon matters of interest. If a similar course was pursued in Ivumara we should not see so many unoccupied sections as we do at the present time.