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Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 131, 22 March 1879, Page 3

The ' Argus' gives an illustration of the difficulties farmers, free selectors, and storekeepers in the country have to meet with in consequence of the tightness of money and the withdrawal of almost all banking facilities from such districts. "We may mention (says the Melbourne journal) as an instance of peculiar hardship, which only this week has been brought under notice, the case of a small storekeeper who possesses land which he farms to the extent of 900 acres. This person, with liabilities amounting to the paltry sum of £6OO, has actually had to meet his creditors, though owning the land referred to, valued with improvements at L2BBO. The sheep and cattle, besides horses, drays, &c, on the same are reckoned as worth L4OO ; the stock in store is worth L3OO more, while the debts considered good due to him amount to L7OO ; and though thus in poscession of surplus assets unencumbered to the extent of L3G79, lie is unable to raise on these the paltry sum which would clear him of all his difficulties. We give these facts without comment. Perhaps it may suit those who talk so glibly of our prosperity to give some explanation of a state of affairs, wc believe, never before equalled in the Colony in the worst of times."