KNIGHTS OF LABOUR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3795, 27 April 1891, Page 2

KNIGHTS OF LABOUR.

Deputation to the Premier and Minister for Lands,

A deputation of the Masterton

Assembly of the Knights of Labour, consisting of Messrs T. 0. D'Arcy, W. Cullen, and M. Williams, was introduced by Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., to the Premier Jyafr Minister of Lands duri%g-tßeTr stay ift last. Mr D'Arcy stated that a committee had recently visited the Mangatainoka to see if there was land in that part suitable for special settlements, but had found there was not. He would therefore like to know if there was any other block of land available. The Minister replied that 50,000 acres ot land in the Puketoi and 7000 or 8000 acres in the Mount Baker Block were about to be thrown open.

Mr D'Arcy explained that these were rather far from Masterton. The Minister suggested that the Knights pick oat a piece of land which would be suitable. Mr D'Arcy asked if it would not be possible for less than twenty-five persons to form a land association. The Minister replied that he had fixed the number at twelve, and this would shortly be proclaimed. The area of land which could be taken up would also be increased from 1000 to 5000 acres* : In answer to a question re the payment of rents during the first few years of settlement, the Minister stated that some earnest was required that settlers would be bonajide. Mr D'Arcy asked why the survey fees should not be paid by the Government.

The Minister thought the Government should undertake the surveys, but there were a number of minor difficulties in the way. Mr Williams asked if some graduated scale could not be adopted for the benefit of settlers. T'ie Minister replied that to do this they would require fresh regulations. Mr Cullen: At the time of revaluation is bushfalling taken into consideration ? The Minister: Yes, every improvement is taken into consideration. Mr Cullen suggested that the> should have a perpetual lease proper, with no re-valuation. The Minister thought that this would never do.

Mr Hogg : That would practioally be making freeholds. Mr Cullen asked if there was not a block of land in the Maungarakis, at the back of Brancepeth, which might be thrown open. The Premier : But if the Beethams have a legal lease from the Natives we caanot touch it.

Mr D'Arcy: The lease is legal. Mr Hogg drew attention to the faot that the way the Beethams were clutching the country surrounding them was not in the interests of settlement.

Mr Cullen thought the Akura block of 600 acres might be secured for a special settlement. With reference to village settlements a member of the deputation stated that some of the Knights who were without capital wished to take up land in the Mangaramarama. The Minister replied that the Mangaramarama would be opened at once.

Mr Hogg suggested that a block of land at Tutaekara might be adopted for this purpose.

The Minister concurred in the remark.

Mr Cullen asked if the Government could see their way clear to making an advance of 50 per cent on improvements.

The Minister replied that they could not without fresh legislation. The question of the extension of residential claims and other minor matters having been brought forward, the deputation thanked the Ministers lor their attentioa and withdrew.