The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1883. THE LAND QUESTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1113, 2 June 1883, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1883. THE LAND QUESTION.

News has been received by the mail that the piojected London Land Company will amalgamate with the New Zealand Company. The Earl of Shaftesbury and the Bishops of London, Liverpool, and St. Asaph are said to be amongst those interested in the Loudon Company. We do not think that this is a matter upon which New Zealand can congratulate itself. We have too many Land Companies already, and it will be a bad thing for the colony if any more land gets into the hands of such owners. Large holdings are objectionable, even when owned by private individuals, but the evil becomes aggravated tenfold when land gets into the hands of companies. There is a difference between the two owners. The individual owner Jives on his estate, aud after his death it is invariably divided amongst his sons, In the course of time these sons divide their portions amongst their children, aud thus eventually the large estate gets broken up into small farms. A company does not live on its estate, and it never dies, neither ha? it any children to divide its patrimony amongst. It has no individuality, it has neither heart nor soul nor conscience, and all the interest it feels in the land or in the district in which its estate is, is confined to the dividend which accrues from it. But a Company, the shareholder* of which live in foreign countries, like the one referred to, is the worst of all evils. It i* a leech that sucks the very life, blood of the nation. If there is one thing more than another calculated to ruin any country, it is its land to be in the hands of foreign capitalists. Thia is one of the greatest of Irish grievances. Large tracts of land are in the hand s of London Companies, whose agents ex i ,rt all the money they can out of the poor starving tillers of the soil, not one farthing of which is left in the country, except (lie amount of commission paid to the agent for collecting the rent, Ireland is poor in consequence of this, and New Z-a and will not be as prosperous as it ought to be if it allows foreign capitalists to monopolise it® land. We hare no objection to the Earl of Shaftesbury, or to the Bishops of Loudon, Liverpool, an J St, Asaph,

or to any respectable man coming to New-Zealancl and settling down on a farm, and working it like a man. In fact we would rather like it, but we certainly do not like the idea of seeing the life blood of the colony sucked from it by London land sharks. Many no doubt, may think it a fine thing for the colony that a rich Company sends its money to us to purchase a portion of our Crown Lands. These are the people who do not think of the evil which will result from it. They do not reflect that for every pound sent out, ten pounds will eventually find its way back, and that the day will come when absentee landowners will be ap great a cirse to this colony as they are at present to Ireland. ♦ PERPETUAL LEASES. The first tenders for perpetual leases were opened at the Land Board Dunedin last Wednesday. Altogether 100 sections were opened for leasing, comprising 26,000 acres, situated in various districts. There were only twelve tenderers. Nino sections were leased to seven tenderers, and the total area disposed of amounts to only 1492 acre*. In some cases 7s and 7s 6d was the price obtained where the upset rental had been fixed at os per acre ; 4s where 2s 6d had been fixed, and Is 1-k J where Is had been fixed. This is not as satisfactory as we should wish. The prices realised seem to be very satisfactory, but we expected that the land would have been taken up more eagerly. Evidently a perpetual lease is not regarded as a favorable tenure of land, if we are to judge from the result of the first attempt in that direction. Why land on such terms should not be taken up eagerly we cannot conceive. So far as we can see there is no difference between a perpetual lease and a freehold. The freeholder loses his property when he cannot meet his engagements with his creditors, the perpetual leaseholder forfeits his tenure of the land when he cannot pay his rent. The lease tenure appears Bo us better, because very little capital is required compared with what is necessary to acquire a freehold. Why therefore the land has not been taken up quickly is difficult to understand, unless it is that the quality and situation of the class offered is not such as would induce people to invest in it. LOCAL AND GENERAL. Wesleyan Chuech, Tbmuka.— Mr W. S. Maslin, will conduct the morning and evening services in the above Church to-morrow. Echoes Fsom Dunedin.—A very interesting contribution by “ Rnsticus,” headed Echo*s from Dunedin, appear* on our first pageTital Statistics.— The following are the vital statistics for tho Temuka district for the month ended May 31st, 1883: —Births, 14 ; Marriages, 2 ; deaths, nil. Amusements. —Ben Allah, the world renowned ventriloquist and conjuror, announces that he will appear in the Volunteer Hall Temuka, next Monday evening. Thoaa desiring an evening’s amusement should not fail to attend. Local Industry.— We are glad to notice that a Committee meeting of those interested in fostering local industries in Geraldine is convened for Wednesday evening next at the Road Board Office, Geraldine, at 7 o,clock. It is to be hoped that there will bo a good muster. Victory yob Timabu. —An. Auckland telegram says :—A handball match for £25 a side between McAuliffe of Timaru and Hogan of Auckland took place on Wednesday, and was won by the former, who also won another match on Saturday for £4O a side. He leaves for Timam by the Waihora, but wilj probably visit Auckland again shortly and play another sjore of handball matches. SIK Geokgb Grey.— Sir George Grey, purposes to deliver an address next week in tho Theatre Royal to tho people of Auckland, on the principles which should guide them in founding their public library. He does not intend to address tho Auckland public on political matters before going to the Assembly. Sir George has presented to the citizens of Auckland three pictures. Road Boabd Elections. —The nomina tion of candidates for election to the Temuka Road Board was held yesterday. Tho following candidates were nominated riz , Messrs James Austin, E. A. Barker, J. Paterson, M Quinn, J, Talbot, G. Lorens, W. Wheel band. A poll will be taken next Welnes day. The nomination of members to sit on the Geraldine Road Board resulte d as follows -. —William De Renzy, Frederick R Platman.Jchn Kelland,William Postlelhwai e, William Upton Slack, and Charles George Tripp. The poll will be held on the 6th June, Attempted Suicide. A man named Michael Donovan was brought into Blenheim on Thursday from Wairau Valley with his throat badly gashed and his windpipe partly severed. He bad been drinking heavily, and is believed to have been suffering from delimm tremens. Ho disappeared on Tues day night, and on Wedn sday morning went, to an accommodation house in a fearful plight. He had apparently, from the jagged appearance of the wounds, tried to cut his throat on a barbed wire fence. His heed also is badly battered, and it is believed be did this himself with a stone. Notwithstanding his ■ injuries, it is believed he will recover. I

Coursing. — A meeting of those interested in the formation of a Coursing Club for the Geraldine district will be held this even* mg in the Bush Inn, Geraldine. Primitive Methodist Church. — We call the attention of our readers to tte sei'rices in the Primitive Methodist Church, Geraldine to-morrow, which will be conducted by the Rev. W. B. Hayes. Young men have a special interest in the evening service, as the reverend gentleman directs his discourse for their particular benifit. To those who hare not listened to the practical and eloquent sermons of Mr Hayes wo say do not miss tha opportunity next Sunday. Fraudulent Bankrupt.— Louis Lyons Levy, commission agent, well known in Wanganui as a trustee in a great number of insolvent estates for years past, was charged at the Resident Magistrate’s Court with fraudulently removing property belonging to hil creditors and within four months of filing. The evidence showed that four packages of miscellaneous goods, valued at nearly £IOO, were shipped to Auckland addressed to Levy’s wife, and were brought back here last week by the trustee, who obtained an order of the District Court to seize them. The defence i* understood to be that the property belongs to the wife under a settlement deed, and that the prosecution is instigated by spite on iho part of the,trustees and without the direction of the creditors, who have already accepted a composition of 10s in the £. Levy was committed for trial and bail accepted. In Luck at Last.— Our local police have felt the depression like other people lately. They have not to our knowledge made an arrest for the last month, and for want of something to do had to turn their attention to stray, cattle as witnessed by the largo number of owners who figured in the E-M. Court last Monday. When the police have nothing else to do, somehow there is always a large number of stray cattle going about. Luck threw a prisoner in their way last Thursday evening, however, and he was one of no ordinary kind either. He i* a strong ablebodied man, and went into Mrs Louis’ shop on that day. He priced a brush, and after brushing himself all over with it declined to take it at the figure, and went away. There was evidently something in the shop ha admired, for he came back at a later period of the day, and sat down on a chair with the air of one who was in no hurry to leave it. Mrs and Miss Louis went about their business'as usual, leaving him to his own musings. He sat their apparently quite happy for sometime, but by-and-by when Miss Louis turned round she noticed him pulling his hand out of the glass case, and putting something in his pocket. She accused him of having taken something, and was soon seconded by her mother, but the man indignantly denied the charge, and offered to allow himself to bo searched. Mr* Louis asked a lad who was near hand to search him, and as the lad was about doing so, tha man refused to allow him. The police were then sent for,and the man was about leaving tha shop, but the lad closed [the door on him and kept him till Constable Morton came and extracted from him a new meerschaum pipe. When the constable took him in charge he cut up rough, and a most desperate struggle tnsuc'l Ic' wnti the two men. Blood, hair and prof ,:iify r-i rded with a quantity of broken glass In wild confusion, and the constable was earning his living pretty hard just for the time being. Calling on a neighbour in the Queen’s name, these mystic words brought aid to the constable, and the hero of the hour had to succumb to numbers, and accept the hospitality of the police for tha night. The amusing side of the story is that the man was detained by a mere boy until the constable came, when ho might easily have got away. The man was taken into Timam yesterday and a bench of J. P.s sentenced him to one month’s imprisonment. Mr J. Y. Ward Geraldine, has a now spring cart for sale. A reward is offered for the recovery of a complete boy’s outfit. The Geraldine Road Board invite tenders for broken metal and willow stakes. Messrs R. Wilkin and Co. will hold a sale of cattle and sheep at Washdyke Yards next Monday. Attention is directed to Mr W. WheelHand’s a nnouucement re fruit and forest trees, etc. Mr C. Tengrove, Geraldine, announce that Mr J. Y. Ward is authorised to collect and sue for his accounts. We direct the attention of contractors to the advortismont of the Geraldine Road Board in our columns. Messrs Tasker and Co., Geraldine, announce that they have p'aced their books in the hands of Mr J. Y. Ward, who is authorised to receive and recover accounts. The Hon. Secretary to the Cemetary Trustees, Geraldine, invites ar. once tender* for the situation of sexton. Particulars to duties 1 can be ascertained on application to him. Messrs Pearpoint and Gray, trustees in the assigned estate of Alex. Mclntosh, advertises that all accounts are to be rendered by Saturday the Bth inst., or they will not bo recognised. Messrs Maclean and Stewart will hold tboir usual sale of horses, e'c,. at their Timam liorse Bizaar today. At Washdyke yard* no Monday they will sell horses, cattle, and sheep ; and at Winchester fair on Thursday next t hey will sell a number of spayed heifer*. Messrs J. undell and Co announce their monthly stock sale at Geraldine on Wednesday next. The entries comprise sheep, cattle, horses ploughs, harness, etc. Entries will be received up to hour of sale. On the sama date they will sell some very choice freehold property silua'e in Geraldine. We believe that if everyone would use Hop Bitters freely there would be rnuc i less sickness and misery in the world, and people are fast finding this out, whole families keeping well by its use. Read. A Wise Deacon. —“ Deacon Wilder, I want you to tell me how you kept yourself and family so well the past season, when all the rest of us have been sick so much, and have had the doctor running to us so often.” “ Brother Taylor, the answer is very easy. I used Hop Bitters in time and kept my family well, and nav«d large doctor’s bills. Four shillings’ worth of it kept us all well and able to work all the time, and I will warrant it has cost you and most of the neighbors £lO to £IOO apiece to keep sick the same time. I fancy you’ll take my medicine hereafter.” See,

r ANNUAL MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT TEMUKA. The annual meeting of ratepayers war held at Temuka yesterday, at noon. Mr John Talbot, Chairman of the ” Road Board occupied the chair, and there was an average attendance. The Chairman read the annual report as follows: — k Annual Report. “ Gentlemen, —The annual meeting of ratenayers, hnhertoheld at the commencement of the year, is now, under the provisions of the new Road Board Act of Inst session of Parliament, required to be held during the first week of May. In consequence, however, of the authorities not being able to furnish the valuation roll from which tho votes list have to be compiled within the time prescribed by the Rating Act of 1882, th# Board was advised by the Government that elections must be postponed until June, and in consequence thereof the ratepayers’ meeting was also deferred. “ The Board have now to submit to yon a balance-sheet embracing a period of 15 months. It in reality, however, includes the period of maximum expenditure of two years, viz., the two months in each year immediately proceeding harvest, the heaviest shingling contracts being carried out in the summer months, and the payment for them falling between t'e new years and the harvest. The time covered by the statement of accounts now submitted to you is from Jan. Ist, 1882, to March 31, 1383. “ The balance-sheet having been printed, and now in your hands renders it unnecessary to say much aboutthe different details of expenditure. It will be noted that our funds have been very_ considerably reduced during the period under review. The balance in hand on January 1, 1882, was £5378 4s Bd, and on March 31,1883, it stood at £3511 3s, being a reduction of £1867 Is Bd. The receipts from all sources have been £2644 lls, and the expenditure £4511155. Amongst the expenditure, shingling only has absorbed £l3Ol 17s Bd, formation and shingling combined £669, and formation only £427 12s ; under the head of miscellaneous which includes cost of materials, and various incidental charges, £6BB 18s 3d has been expended. The amount paid in salaries was £371 Is Bd, or about 8 per cent of the total expenditure. The recent floods did a considerable amount of damage, chiefly by scour in various parts of the districts, but not as much as might reasonably have been anticipated considering its severeity. A bout £3OO will cover the amount of damage sustained. The Opilri bridge suffered to some extent, two piles being carried away, and an approach made on the Island to give access to the new bridge without the necessity of going over the old part, was 'K. entirely carried away. The old portion of the bridge has been for some time past unsafe for heavy traffic, and some actionin connection with this matter cannot ba delayed much longer. The boundary line dividing tho district from Geraldine between Winchester and Rangitata has been altered from the Main South Road to the Railway line. The alteration was agreed upon several years ago, but was not legally carried out in consequence of the troublesome nature of the undertaking. The effect of the alteration is to add a piece of country to the district which since the making of tho railway naturally belonged to it. The added portion consists chiefly of reserves lately disposed of under the deferred payment system, and a sum of money is now in the hands of the Geraldine Board which they have intimated to u» their intention of paying us our proportion when adjusted. “ One of the most important questions of tho future in connection with Road Board matters is that of the maintenance of large bridges on our main roads. It will be admitted that the requirements of the community are now such that it is of the greatest importance that the bridges should be kept up. Facilities for the safe and easy removal of stock from place to place is absolutely necessary, to say nothithing of the serious inconvenience which would result from the stoppage of all traffic in the case of such heavy and long continued floods as we have just experienced. The Board being fully alive to this, and at the same time remembering tire difficulty which was experienced in connection with getting tho Opihi bridge built, as well as the peculiaraspect at present of tho Rangitata Bridge question, have come to tho conclusion that the time has arrived when the control and maintenance of these works shou'd be undertaken by the County Council. There are no doubt many who will say that the Road Boards are competent to do the work, and that it is undesirable to have two local governing and taxing bodies in operation at the same time. The facts, however, in connection with tho Opihi Bridge which was built almost entirely from funds belonging to - the County, and also that one-half of the cost of the Rangitata Bridge extension will probably have likewise to be paid for by the whole County, sums to point conclusively to the refutation of the idea that the Road Boards are at tho sama time both capable and willing to undertake the keeping up of large works. “ Under provisions of the new Road Board Act, 1882 the whole Board retire, but are eligible for re election “ John Talbot, “ Chairman.’, The Chairman then road the annual balance-sheet, He said that in connection with tho report, the most important thing was, What should be done with main works. He saw in the paper that the Geraldine people ■ wanted the County Council abolished, and the Chairmen of Road Boards put in their place. He thought they should be careful before taking any steps in this dirocrion. As regarded the Rangitata Bridge, it was taken up before the Counties Act was brought into force. It was on this principle that the Act was brought into force in this district. Ths dispute was as to the kind of material that should be put into the construction of it. There was never any one held that it w«s not necessary As to tho County Councils being abolished and their power given to the Road Boards, they might remember the difficulty re the Opihi Bridge between the Temuka and Levels Road Boards, and if it had been left to them it would never have been done. The old portion of it was now not not safe fur traffic, and a difficulty might arise again. He thought the County Council ought to ako control of these bridges. Mr Gray said the statement of receipts

and expenditure seemed very mystified. He thought it would have been far better if it had been printed soma time ago. There was no valuation made of the Board’s property, and he thought there ought to be. The Chairman said it never had been the custom to put the value of the property of the Board on the balance-sheet, and he did not think the ratepayers required it. He was well acquainted with public bodies, and he never knew the details of the accounts to have been published. The Harbor Board did not do it, Mr Gray said the Harbor Board published every item. He did not think there was a man in the room who could move the adoption of the balance-sheet-The Chairman said he did not see any difficulty. There was sufficient to «how the transactions of the Bo?rd Mr Storey said they might have a good deal of timber, cement, etc., in stock, but no account was given of it, Mr Gray said if the accounts bad been printed in detail it would have been better The Chairman had read the details ot the accounts, and then put a balance sheet of the totals in the hands of the meeting, which rendered it impossible for any one to foLow him. i The Chairman said ha had never seen terns given in detail, neither did he think that it was customary with Road Boards to publish their assets. . In reply to a question, the Chairman said the extent of the reserve on the Waitohi was about two acres. Mr Storey though the item for surfacemen was too great- Would it not be better to let the work by contract ? The Chairman stated that a considerable amount of day work was necessary in cases where there would not be time to call for contractors. Whenever it was found possible, works were let by contract. Mr K. F. Gray, after some further discussion, moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. Mr Deßenzie seconded the motion. The Chairman said the report had travelled outside the ordinary business. He tliought the meeting might express an opinion as to whether these bridges should be taken control of by the County Cauncil. . Mr Deßenzie asked the Chairman how much the Council had expended, and what it cost them to expend that sum. The Chairman said the statement made at Geraldine respecting the expenditure and expenses of the Council was not fair. The Council was not an expending body ; it was a distributing,bodymerely distributing the money amongst the various Road Boards, and though they expended little money, it was necessary to pay salaries, etc. Mr Deßenzie said that the Chairman had let the ratepayers know that the Geraldine Road Board was opposed to the Rangitata Bridge. It was not. It was to the way it was built it objected, and he believed they were right, because from all he had heard ihe bridge would soon be swept down the stream, Mr Levens moved —‘That in future the Road Board ought to put the value of their plant, etc., in the balance-sheet, This addition having been made to the motion adopting the report and balancesheet, it was carried unanimously. Mr Storey moved a vote of thanks to the late Board. , , . , . Mr Gray seconded it. If he had picked holes in their balance-sheet he was ready to admit that they had done their woik well, and that there was very little room for finding fault with them. The motion was carried by acclamation. The Chairman thanked the meeting on behalf of the Board. No doubt they had their shortcomings, but they had done their best, and if others got in their place they would fi»d they could not do everything ns well as they would wish. THE CANDIDATES It having been suggested that the candidates for election should address the the meeting, The Chairman said that he was standing for re-election and ready to do all in his power for the good of the district. It was difficult for a candidate to express any views, as it was not on * question of policy he would be called to act. He would, when on the Board, take questions n« they arose and deal with them to the best of hia ability. Mr Storey said a great many people had been fined through the gates of the railwav having been left open. He wanted to know whether the Road Boaid could take any notion in the matter. Tire Chairman said that was the first time the question was brought under the the notice of the Board. It it could be shewn the Board had power to do anything it would undoubtedly do it. Mr Deßenzie called attention to the state of the road from the Bridge to his own place. The Overseer said it had not been overlooked, but the men were engaged on roads which ware worse. Men had al ready been working on the road, Mr Gray said he thought it was not right to take the rates on the Property Tax Valuation basis. Under that some properties were overestimated and others underestimated. The Road Board ought not to have accepted this valuation without grave consideration. The Chairman said they could do nothing now. If the Board had paseed a resolution they would have to go on the fee simple valuation, at any rate, by the new Act. Under that a rate of |d in the £ would Vo equal to a Is rate under tho old system. The Acts were y*t new, but he believed they would yet work well. At a Is rale under the old sysiem they would get LlgOO, hut under the new system. at |d in the £, they would get about £2coo Mr B. A. Barker said if elected he would do his best for the district. As regards the day men question he was always against it, as he thought too much was spent in that way. The Overseer had power to let contracts up to £5 and bethought n good deal of work might be done in this way. He had always been aga’nst the Coun'y Council, but felt that some intermediate body between Rond Boards and the Government was necessary. . Mr Gray asked did he think it was advisable for the Board to maintain a horse ?

Mr Barker : Certainly not. I never knew a horse to eat so much oats in my life as Unit horse does, (Laughter.) Mr Gray said if there was a necessity for mi intermediate body the sooner the Road Boards meigel into the County the better. At present they were maintaining very expensive machinery. The Council was about undertaking irrigation,

and he thought it ought to take up large worts also, such as bridges. He wished to asked candidates in the event of Temuka being proclaimed a borough would they be favorable to giving it a fair share of the Road Board funds.

Mr Barker said he would be ready to act justly and divide as fairly as possible. Mr Quinn said he would be ready to give a fair share of the funds to Temuka if proclaimed a borough. Mr Levons was ready to endorse everything Mr Quinn had said. Mr Wheelband said be had been asked by a large number of ratepayers to stand, and he had consented to do so. If elected he would do his best tor the district at large. No other candidate having anything to say, the Chairman intimated that the election would take place next Wednesday. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.