HYDE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1501, 21 August 1880, Page 21

HYDE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

August 9th, The question as to the desirability of erecting County Councils into local Land Boards was a subject of diacuesion at the last meeting of our Counl.y Council. The dioussion, it seems, arose from the receipt of a oiroular f com the Patea Council asking the co> operation of our local magnates in the constitution of Councils into Land Boards. The ultimatum was that the Maniototo Council fully coincided in tho opinion that reform in the administration of lands was needed, but that it would be sufficient in the meantime were the County OuDoils cmifrd Boards of advice. Now it seems perfectly plain to me that if the Councils are to be land advisers to the Crown, it would entail the leas of quite as much time and trouble as if they superseded the present Waste Lands Boards. The Waate ! Lands Boards are much in the same position as thelate Railway Commissioners were-consta»itly giving opinions upon subjects concerning which they are in a state of blissful personal ignorance. A resolution to the effect of recommending the oreation of Local Land BoarJs irrespective of County Councils would havo done both counties more 1 ouour. We are all will aware th%t few of our county councillors could give ihe time that the consideration of land administration of necessity domanda. A furore of indignant invective and a budget of anatlienins have'becm hurled a<; t.ho heads of the Railway Commissioners on account of their very ih'MfHt'd report upon <he proponed Ofcago Contra I llaihvny. We will p.hortly be in poabeseion of tho i esult of an enquiry as to the Premier and another ML A. of Queensland holding positions) for the purpose of exerting undue infiuencft in P,ivour of p'ivato e-'flcorns with which thoy aic i-nin i>-"<] fo bo ronneotc d. I think a similar .k-ho.- u.i,<hr, ! *\ ittken ju-ainsfca member lately Hiiviiu: •.(' » Ittilway Ciimmissiouer to whose ii'ti'i* •!•••• I ia\o no doubt, tbe proposed euppren-ion of the 0 ago Central and completion of jibe Livingstone branoh is mainly due. Had

the Commission made the pretenoe of inspeoting the Strath-Taieri I could allow for some little latitude in their report, but like Moses gazing from Pisgah on the promised land, they were content with looking at the fertilevalley from the buttresses of the Rook and Pillar. If anyone doubts the extraordinary fertility or the Strath-Taieri let him see for himself. The able and clever manager of Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Oo.'s station, Gladbrook, Mr Elliott, will be glad to astonish any anxious agricultural enquirers by allowing them to inspect the land— of whioh there are five or six thousand acres of freehold— in every stage of cultivation, By-the-way, Mr Editor, you would do well to send your agricultural reporter up this way, as I assure you our farmersoan give him sufficient information to kesp him a few days going. Private means have been proseouted for some time past in order to secure the services of a medical man for this district. A rare opportunity presents itself to a young aud pushing man. Hyde is the centre of a very large distriot with a considerable settlement. A medical man settling here would begenerously supported. He Jwould be public vaccinator, examiner for Government Insurance, and a host of other things beside. Any of your medical readers interested in this might communicate with Mr John Laverty, Chairman of the Progress Committee, who will give all information. Mr De Lautour continues to work vigorously for the good of his constituents. Scaroe a. week passes but we have fresh evidence of his increasing watchfulness of our concerns. His last bill was to have the Eduoation Reserves thrown open, whioh has received a second reading. If this measure passes the House, the good which may be derived from it may honestly be attributed to the exertions of the Hyde Progress Committee. This body brought the consideration of it before their member, and also before the Minister of Lands. | The above seems to have unfortunately miacarried last -week, as it arrived just too late for publication.]