THE LAND COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 786, 31 March 1905, Page 3

THE LAND COMMISSION.

(Per Press Association.) I OAMAR'U, March 30. The Land Commission took evidence in the morning at Windsor, and in the afternoon at Ngapara, the centres for considerable areas of lcase-m-i>erpetuity lands. The tenants admitted, with the exception of several on the Windsor Park No. 1 Settlement, that they had done well in the past few years. The latter complained of want of water and defective roading ; also that in their case they were not allowed the 10 per cent, rebate for prompt payment of rents. The Chief Commissioner of Lands explained that the quesr tion of rabate was left to himself and the receivers of land revenue, and he cijisidered that this estate had been purchased on such favourable tcrma that the rebate should not be granted. Mr Livingston, a member of the Land Hoard, and a tenant on the Elderslio Settlement, said the Minister had •desired that the rebate should l>e allowed. The L'hiel' Commissioner oibjcctod to such a statement lK*ing made. The law was at fault, and not he. The Chairman of the Laud Commissioner said the Legislature should not have left such a matter in the hands of the Chief Commissioners and Receivers of Land Revenue. H had only been fiddling with the xiucsti4h. The tenants all expressed themselves satisfied with their tenure, and one went so far as to say that where rebates v.erc made through adverse seasons, the tenant should repay the amount. The Commission visits two other estates to-morrow, and sits in Oamaru on Saturday.