THE LAND COMMISSIONERS AT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2791, 21 March 1895, Page 3

THE LAND COMMISSIONERS AT TEMUKA.

The Land Commissioners, Messrs J. C. McKerrow, D. McMillan, and J. W. Marohant, and Mr F. K. Flat man, M.H.R., for the district, arrived at Temuka by the express train from Christchurch yesterday, for the purpose of inspecting laud offered to the Government for sale, and during the afternoon the Arowhenua Station homestead block was visited. In the evening a deputation consisting of Messrs E; King, Thos. An nett, K. Franks, Jas. Curry, John Hooper and Mercier met the commissioners at Mr Lee’s Crown Hotel, being introduced by Mr Flatman. Mr Flatman explained that the deputation represented Arowhenua settlers owning small blocks of land, and who were idle a great part of their time. They wished to take up larger blocks of land and thereby profitably use the time that was now wasted. If laud could be got near their homes in blocks of from 5 or 10 acres, he believed they would be more successful. They would tell the commissioners what they thought they would be able to pay as rent and make a living. Mr Curry was the principal speaker, and he explained that the settlors were unable to get work a greater part of the time. For himself he had been unable to get more than three weeks work during the harvest. If they owned more land, they could keep a cow or two and pigs, and occupy half their time on it and make a living. Farmers at present could get nothing for their grain or stack and therefore could not employ labor. If the Government could get land within three or four miles of the township and cut it up into, say from 5 to 10 acre blocks, and let them have it, that they might make a living. They would rather pay £1 per acre or more for good land than 5s for poor land. As the allotments proposed were small the land most be good, as they would grow principally root crops. Mr McKerrow pointed out that it would be inconvenient for them to keep cows and pigs on the 10-acre blocks, while they lived some miles away, which he understood they proposed to do. These things wanted to be under their eyes. Mr Curry said even now he had a piece of land, a mile away from his home, and had to drive a cow to it. They could cart the produce to their homes, where they could keep their stock. Mr McKerrow said he simply mentioned Hie matter. Another difficulty which would have to be got over was that the Act required that land taken op under lease in perpetuity must be resided upon. All persons taking up land under that Act must reside on it. However, perhaps the Minister of Lands might be able to surmount the difficulty, as he was very anxious to promote settlement. Mr McKerrow asked bow many men in the district would take op 5 or 10 acre allotments, but the deputation could not eay. They thought that there was hardly a settler in Arowhenua but would take one up if he could get it. Mr McKerrow asked the price of leasehold land in the district, and was informed that some small blocks were let at as high a price as £2 16s. The deputation thought they could give £1 or £l 5s for good land. In reply to some farther remarks Mr McKerrow explained that the selection of land was out of the hands of the Government by statute and the commissioners had to be very careful. He asked whether they could pay £5 in say six months ? Would that be beyond their power 1 Mr Curry said that he thought it would, as there would be fencing to do, and seed to grow. Mr McKerrow said they mast go on in hopes, but if their means were so slender it made the matter more difficult. In reply to another question he said he did not think there was much prospect of Government expenditure near the laud cut up, as the district was already well roaded, and the Government did not wish to take up wild country. They had been over the Arowhenua Estate that day, and there appeared to be plenty of roads there. The deputation urged that if possible the land should be got before July, and that the arrears should be mostly 10 acres. If the land was got it might save many from ■welling the ranks of the unemployed and being a burden upon others. Some discussion took place on land considered suitable for close settlement, which was offered for sale. One or two blocks were mentioned, which it was believed the owners would sell at a price. Some the deputation thought would be too costly to drain and clear of timber. Other land mentioned Mr McKerrow thought too far away from the township for cutting up in 120>acre blocks. The educational reserve on the swamp road, occupied by Messrs Daily, Warning, and Mcßride for grazing, was mentioned, but .considered not very suitable. in reply to a question Mr McKerrow said the Government could take land by compulsion, but it was not desired to do so. If they had to take a man’s property they must give the extreme value for it, and this would make the rent very dear. The Arowhenua estate was mentioned, but was thought by the deputation unsuitable for small allotments. They thought allotments of less than 30 acres would be useless. Mr McKerrow said the Commissioners had been over it that day, and it appeared 4o him to be strong land, and if drained and well worked it would be very good land. He thought if it was cut up the blocks should be about 50 acres.

In reply to Mr McKerrow the deputation said if 2000 acres were cat ap, they thoaght the allotments would be taken ap at once. Mr McKerrow explained that the land would have to be let by ballot. The Minister of Lands was very much in «arneat» and, if possible, land would be got. The Government and the Commissioners were doing all they could to get land. In reply to a question, he explained that the Government could not make advances to settlers to pat improvements on leasehold land, but after improvements had been put on it the Government could.

In reply to Mr Mercier, Mx McKerrow made an explanation as to the Awarua block, N. 1., which is still partly in the bauds of the natives. After some further conversation the deputation again expressed their anxiety to get land, thanked the Commissioners for their courtesi-, and withdrew.

To-day the Commissioners will inspect other properties under offer to the Government.