SQUATTER KINGS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 407, 2 July 1881, Page 2

SQUATTER KINGS.

New Zealand is not the only Colony in in which large blocks of the public estate are leased at a ridiculously low rental. Commenting upon the land question in New South Wales, the Sydney correspondent of the Brisbane Courier writes : —“ It is felt, and justly too, that the Crown tenants pay an absurdly inadequate rental for their property. During the debate it was shown that Sir Samuel Wilson, of Ercildoun—a gentleman who does not visit New South Wales once in five years—derives an income of £150,000 a year from stations which he .'eases from the Government at an annual rental o' £4BO. The Yanko station, which is the property of Sir Samuel Wilson, comprises some of the most valuable land in the Colony It consists of rich alluvial flats, magnificently watered and grassed. There are more dummy huts on the Tt anko than on any six stations in New South Wales. It may also he mentioned that Sir Samuel Wilson is the lessee of 116 runs in New South Wales. That the squatters are paying a ridiculously inadequate rental for the privileges they enjoy is admitted even hy themselves. But they object to an increase on account of the black blocks. Now these black blocks are the best of the grassed lands of the Colony, and water is easily obtained by sinking a moderate depth. If the opposition to a fair rental continues, there is every likelihood that in the indignation at their rejection of fair terms the squatters will have to submit to rack-retiring.’’