ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. THE POMAHAKA ESTATE.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8165, 20 April 1895, Page 1

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. THE POMAHAKA ESTATE.

TO TUB EDITOK. Sir, — Your evening contemporary, dis-« playing his usu4 cupidity, wishes his readers to believe that "it is a flattering testimony to the character of Pomahaka " that the Balclutha S.M. said he could nofc rate Pomahaka settlors higher than L 2 when the improved estates alongside were valued at from L 2 to L 2 10s. It is very flattering to ihe Minister of Lands that he should take 3a Gd an acre rent from poor settlers when the land ia only worth L 2 in capital value. When it takes an acre and a half to keep a sheep how is it possible for the settlers to live with sheep at 3s and 4s a head 1 Your contemporary would have the value of Clydovalo and Wairuna estates raised in order to justify the purchase of Pomahaka by his idol, th 6 Minister for Lands. Of course your contemporary is so blind that he cannot see that if these estates wore raised in value the owners would throw them at the Government ab its own valuation. Your contemporary also impeaches tho Stipendiary Magistrates all over tho colony as being "men who have neither the necessary knowledge nor the instincts to qualify them for such a task " as settling tho value of property ; and that tho " legal education, training, and traditionary sentiments of Magistrates are all favorable to the protection of property and their owners " Not satisfied with impeaching their impartiality, your contemporary would casb a slur upon tho integrity of all tho Magistracy. This is like his impudonco* Your contemporary's l< education, training, and tradiouary sentimonts " — whatever theso may be — are all favorable to the destruction of property and property-owners ; but then your contemporary is qualified by "education and training " for tho des'ructi'jn of society. — I am, etc., Junior Junius. Oamaru, April 18, 1895.