THE LAND QUESTION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 271, 16 May 1874, Page 3

THE LAND QUESTION.

(To the Editor of the Mount IdaC'iikonicle.) Sin, —The cry for..land now being so loudly raised all over the Province is most satisfactory, and gives us reason to hope that the good agricultural lauds yet in the hands of the Government will be possessed by the people instead of being acquired by a few land speculators. The arguments adduced by agriculturalists and pastoralists for and against throwing open lundiuour istrict, or rather in our immediate neighborhood, are conflicting, and shows that a deal of misunderstanding exists on the subject. When I say pastoralists and agriculturalists I do not mean squatters and farmers, but rather their votaries, as both the former and latter seem rather indifferent on the matter. It is maintained by one party, who in my opinion are the most experienced, and therefore the most capable of judging, that there never can be a successful settlement on these plains on account of the want of rain, want «f shelter, and lightness of soil; while the other party contend that although the land may not be all tliat can be desired, yet it is fair average land, and argue in very strong terms that the locality is a desirable one for settlement. But, as you. have often stated, the people themselves should be the best judges in this matter, and if a man chooses to risk his money in making a home for himself and his family on these plains, he has a perfect right to do so. You, however, go further, and strongly advise, as in a late issue I note the following.—"The Jaud is there in abundance—land enough on the three flats we mention to keep IUOO families in comfort, and a fast increasing prosperity, dependant only upon the opening up of the country." Upon such recommendation inexperienced people may take up land on these flats, and by so doing find themselves ruined men in a few years. I do not believe for a moment that you would knowingly advise any one wrongly, but you know if the blind lead the blind, both are apt to fall into the ditch. As an old resident on these plains, and having been brought up to fanning, I have carefully considered this question of settlement, and am of opinion that it might partially succeed near the base of the ranges, but not on the centre of the plains. Nearly the whole of the land anywhere within a circle of five miles from this centre is much of the same character. Its depth of soil varies from one to twenty inches, and beneath this there is from one to two feet of loose gravel, which is the reason for the ground dryingjup so quickly after rains. For three or four mouths in summer and harvest this part of the plain is in every sense a desert—no water nor a blade of green..grass to be seen. The sheep have to bo driven to the mountains to save them, and not taken back till theautumn rains revive the. long parched ground. Yet here people are advised to make homes for themselves. The good lands in Strathtaieri and Shag Valley are too far away to benefit our " Mountain City," and if the " Cockies " on Maniototo be poor they will have to sell us their produce at our own prices, then we can live cheaply. But, putting all joking .aside, Mr. Editor, it is really too bad to advise pcop]« to an almost'certain ruin. ■The difference between the man whd'seLitles upon good land and he who settles upon bad is simply this: the Ipnucr becomes a permanent and successful'settler oi the Province, while the latter—not I being successful probably leaves the i (Province, ft ow* while there are countless numbers of acres of good agricultural laud yet unsold, it should be the duty of every journalist, and every one else who has-the good of the Province at heart, to 1

advocate the settling of the people on the good lands, and to prevent people, as much possible, from settling on that which is inferior. The only practicable plan of augmenting the population on the Maniototo is to cut up the runs, and make a number of small ones; but of course this cannot well be done until the expiration .of;the present leases. Hoping you will insert the above—l am, &c, Old Identity.