SUNNYSIDE RUNS.

Southland Times, Issue 18853, 19 June 1920, Page 2

SUNNYSIDE RUNS.

To the Editor. Sir, —In one of your issues it is reported that a reporter called on Mr Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands, to make a statement regarding complaints made at a meeting of soldier settlers held at Tuatapere re Sunnysido runs. Mr Brook, in his reply has evidently evaded some of the main points at issue. The query is how the present occupier of these runs again secured the lease when the former lessee had to stand his chance at public auction after the runs had been duly advertised etc. It may be interesting for the public to know that the present lessee has been granted a 21 years’ lease when an application for an extension from a 14 to a 21 years’ lease was promptly turned down by the then Land Board when the former lessee made 'an application to that effect. With the enhanced value of grazing runs at the present time if the usual procedure had been followed (re advertising and being sold by auction) by tile Land Board in regard to Sunnyside run the annual rental would have advanced considerably. To prove the assertions made by me I am prepared to pay three times the annual rental at present paid for these runs. Therefore in the face of these facts it is to be ho perl that the ILS.A. will not rest on their oars but will have the matter thoroughly investigated.—l am, etc., FACTS. June 12.