The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 64, 22 May 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1878.

It may be rememberedy that the Corny missioner of Crown Lands individually, and tiie members of the Waste Lands' Board generallyv at a recent sitting of that body •expressed /themselves as highly favorable to.; the '~ Go yernmeht felling bush; in, road lines,, and cutting, drains m purveyed blocks fpreyious to ■ their being oifered f or sale. Moreover^ when the deputation from Manawatu interviewed certain members of the Ministry on the advisability of doing so with the; Karere Blobk, not only did the suggestion meet with a favorable reception at the hands of Ministers, but the members bf ■ the deputation were complimented upon the idea, and told that they might fairly lay claim to/the credit of being its originators. Under thpge .circumstances, then,. we were con-

siderably surprised to find that m answer to a communication Oil the matter forwarded to the Waste Lands Board, the Government have sent that body the following reply : — " The Government regrets that it cannot comply with the request of the Board, inasmuch as there is not any provision under which -funds can be applied for such an undertaking. It is intended, however, to support,. a vote by the Legislature, during the next Session, for sufficient funds to render lands accessible to persons- wishing tp inspect them before* they are put up for sale." Setting aside the. manifest breach of faith conveyed m the letter, we would wish to ask the Government what weiare to expect from the very hazy promise thus, made, and what interpretation we are to put upon the word "inspect?" If by it we are to understand that a bush track is to be cut through the blocks to give intending; settlers a better view of the land, we respectfully submit that such' a course would be a mere farce. What is wanted, what the deputation from Manawatu asked, and what the Government , distinctly promised was, that roads and; drains should be made on the land before being submitted for purchase, and that by the price asked the money expended should be refunded. The main object was to place the land oh such a footing that settlers with small means could immediately have access, to their purchase, and that/instead of expending their capital at the, outset, the State, would place them m a position to work the land profitably; yet by .the upset price recoup itself for the outlay.