The Land Commission.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7724, 28 January 1905, Page 2

The Land Commission.

Its Personnel and Itinerary.

(Government Memorandum.) WELLINGTON, .fan. 27. 'Die following is Mm text of the Land Commission : | The chairman is Mr W. S. Keid. I who was, Solicitor-General for very juiHiiy years, and has a thorough knowledge of the land lawn of tile colony,. j Mr James MeKerrow was for many 'years Surveyor-General and Secretary for Lands, and his knowledge of land settlement, cultivation and 'occupation is extensive and »atisfactory.

I Mr W. J. McArdie is a farmer of many years' experience. 110 was for many years a member of live Wellington Land Hoard and Kducation lionrd, and also a member of one of the councils under the Maori Lands Administration Act.

j Mr J. M. Johnston, of I'almerston North, is an ex-banker, and is Iwell versed in financial matters and land values, and he is treasurer of 'the Manawatu Agricultural and j Pastoral Association.

Mi- Itobert Ilall, of Auckland, is a fanner of'large experience in the Auckland Provincial District. His opinions on land matters are held in high estimation'. He is one of the trustees ol the lMlworth Estate. Mr Donald McLennon is a Crown tenant in Otago. Mr (I. W. Forlx'S' is a farmer on the Cheviot Estate, and had a lnrgu commercial training before he went facming. He has been chairman of the Cheviot County, and throughout Canterbury commands the confidence of the settlers. Mr J. Anstey is a well-known farmer in South Canterbury, and for many years a director of the Farmers' Co-operative Association. He is a (lessee on an educational reserve. Mr W. B. Matheson is a farmer of large experience at Eketahuna and is an oflice holder in the Farmers' Union. Mr J. G. Paul is the president of the Otaigo Trades and Lalrour Council. It is noteworthy that every interest is represented, both in town and country. Apart from Mr Mo Kerrow and Mr Reid there are two members representing Canterbury, i two Otago, two and two, the Wellington districts with | Messrs MeKerrow and Ileid. The official side of the question lias l not Wen omitted. It will |>o seen that no member's of Parliament and no members of Land Boards and no officials have been appointed. The scope of the commission is wide and covers all and every ground and phase of the land question 'demanding investigation. Mr 11. A. Loughnun has been uppointed secretary, ami the commission will proceed at once with its labours. * It will be seen that the time for the commissiioin to report has been fixed at May Ist, but provision is mado for an extension, which probaib'ly will be found sary.(Here follows the warrant of up-; - poin Unent.) Tlkj Suggested itinerary of the commission is as follows It is sugpwted that the commission meet first in Wellington to settle preliminaries, then proceed direct to Invercargiil, and take ev'idence. Then it will work through to Dunedin land through the Otago district, talking special evidence as to pastor|al runs and proposed resumptions lor cfoser settlement, also as to terms for regrassiiig runs mwl their generai improvement by licensees. Tlie commission will then work northward to Christohurcli, and after working the Canterbury district proceed by coach to Hokiiika, and take evidence in Westland. From there, iby way of Greyniou'th and Heet'ton, i£ will proceed to Nelson, and thence to Blenheim, returning I/O Wellington and making up a report for the South Island. In tlio North Island the commission will proceed direct To Auckland anid take evidence in that city ; then go direct by steamer to Mongonui, returning by steamer to the Bay of Islands and across by coach to Ilokianga, thence by coach and train via Towai and Hukerenui to Whungnroi and take evidence in that district. From thera it will' return to Auckland, then go through the Waikato and Kawhia districts, using the main trunk line as a base, and from the Mokau settlement drive through to New Plymouth and take evidence in that district. Thence it will go by rail to Napier, and taking evidence in the Hawke's Day district, will go by steamer to Gisbomq, returning to Napier ; thence to Palmerstoil North and through by rail to Pahiaitua, etc., finishing in Wellington, where the final report will be prepared.