THE OHUTU BLOCK.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13522, 2 November 1911, Page 5

THE OHUTU BLOCK.

LESSEES WANT THE FREEHOLD. (By Telegraph.—Snecial to Hsbaid.) RAETIHI, November 1. A very largo meeting of the settlers on Ohotu Block was held to-day, practically every settler being present or represented. It was unanimously decided to form an association of lessees under the Aotoa Land Board, the object being to request Parliament to give effect to tho recommendation of the Native Affairs Committee, who .reported favourably on the lessees’ petition to- acquire the freehold. Lessees complain of their inability to satisfactorily finance the leases, and set--1 tlcmeut is retarded bv very bad road access. Splendid milling timber is being ' destroyed because of the unfair royalty clause' in the leases. The Ohotu Block contains 56,000 acres,.and reaches from Karioi on the Main Trunk Line to the Wanganui river. Tho meeting passed a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs Jennings, Hogan, Smith, Pearce, Newman, and other M’s.P. for assistance.