SQUATTER KINGS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3864, 18 May 1881, Page 3

SQUATTER KINGS.

. jj eW Zealand is not the only Colony in : which large blocks of the public estate are leased at a ridiculous low rental. Com menting 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 Soutli Wales once in five \ years — derives an income of £160,000 a year from stations which be leases from the Government at an annual . rental of $480. The Yaoko

station,, which is the property of Sir .Samuel Wilson, comprises some of j-ho moat valuable land in the colony.jit consists of rfoh alluvial fiats, magnificently watered, and Rrassed. Tbere are more dummy bttts on the Tanko than on any •ix stations in New South Wales. I- nwy ftlso be mentioned that Sir Samuel Wilson ii the lessee of 116 runs in New South

Wales: That the squatters are paying a ridiculously inadequate rental for the privileges they enjey is admitted even by themselves. Bui they object to an in ormse on recount of the blackcocks. Now, these biack blocks are the best of the grassed lands of the colony, and water is easily obtained by sinking a moderate depth. If Ibc opposition to a fair rental continue, there is every.likelihood that in the indignation at their rejection of fair terms the squatters will bare to submit to rack-rentipg.,'