Settling the Land.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 696, 6 October 1909, Page 5

Settling the Land.

. « LAXD LEAGUE FORMED. About thirty residents an I settlers attended a meeting at Alexandra on Saturday last to discuss the advisability of: forming a laud league with the object of advocating for the closet" settlement of tae Crown lands in this district. The mayor (Mr Schaumaun) occupied the chair, and after explaining the object of the meeting called on Mr 0. Weaver to address the meeting. Mr Weaver at once took up his subject, handling his arguments in a convincing manner, and showing that he had closely studied this important question. The object of the meeting was to bring together those vitally interested in closer settlement. In past years local people had been in for ballots and they all would remember the rush for sections in connection with the subdivision of Blackstone Hill. As a result of cuttingup those ruus iu a wrong method there was less population to-day than before the runs were subdivided. He was certainly of opinion that tie Land Board was at fault iu not cutting up the ruus into smaller blocks. Mr Weaver instanced the subdivision of the ruus iu the Upper Olutha Valley in support of his argument. Here the Board had chosen one method of subdividing the ruus, ami the settlers formed themselves into leagues and agitated tW the sections being made smaller than suggested by the Board. The outcome of the settlers banding themselves together was that the runs were subdivided into 00 blocks instead of 14. With the railway, those ruus could have beeu made smaller. Here we iu this district had the railway, but the trouble was that no laud was available for closer settlement. Mr Spain had offered 1000 acres on Earnscleugh for fruit culture, and iie woul I like to see Mr Jopp do likewise, when he ventured the opinion that there would be quite a stampede for sections. He had no personal matter to ventilate in this agitation, but simply to assist those desirous of settling on the land to secure their requirements. In connection with the leases of Eirusoleugh and Moutere there was a condition that these leases could be terminited by givimr 12 mouths' notice, and if an agitation were set up it would no doubt have some effect. Mr Weaver here instanced the extension of the lease for Galloway, which could not be resumed until the expiry of the iu 11)10. Ml. Bengcr

Station would also be falling due, and«a good portion of that run would divert the trade to this district if properly .subdivided. He suggested that leagues be formed at the different places in the surrounding district, and delegates from the respective leagues meet at a central place. The Land Board had not treated the ruiis in this district in the interests of closer settlement, and mentioned the portion of Moutere that was subdivided. Even that dry shingly area was taken up. Then again the granting of another lease over Galloway was a strong breach of faith by the Land Board, and it was time the people protested against such injustice. Mr Weaver favored reserving areas for fruit culture, and he would like to see tiie agitation raised in that direction, as it would then assist in bringing about a scheme for water conservation. ."Their chief grievance was that the Laud Board was not treating the people fairly in the matter of closer settlement, and our energies should be directed to bring about an alteration for the betterment of the people desirous of settling on the land. Replying to a question, a communication was read showing that Moutere run could be resumed by giving 12 months' notice.

Mr E. Marslin agreed with the views expressed by Mr Weaver. The Board had a right to ask the people if they wanted the laud before granting extension of leases to the ruuholders. Tne Board had previously cut up what was regarded as' worthless land, and this had been taken up, showing that the people were prepared to take the laud against all conditions. The Government had brought the railway here, and they should now give the people the land in order that the railway revenue would be greater than it was at present. If all the available land in this district were closely settled the railway' to-day would be returning a much higher per centage than at present. Mr Ash worth regarded it as a crying shame, the way the L.md Bmrd had treated the people of this district. He favored the formation of a league if merely to keep a watchful eye on the Land Board. He move I —" That a Laud League be forme I." —Seonded by Mr J. Carroll and carried.

Several other speakers referred to the object of the meeting, and strong exception was taken to the attitude of the Land Board in- exchanging an area on Matakanui run, whereby the present lessee was securing a leasj over 10,000 acres of splendid pastoral lan I in exchange for a small area of freehold, which one speaker regarded as " a dry shingly and barren piece of land." The extension of the lease over portion of Galloway also came in for some plain spe iking, and the liberal offer of Mr Spain to grant 1000 acres of Earnscleugh run for fruit areas was received with much favorable comment. Election of Officers. President—Mr C. Weaver. - Yice-presidents —Messrs A. Ashworth, H. Schauuiauu, E. Marsliii, G. Spencer," A. C. Iversen. Hon Secretary—Mr S. T. Spain. The annual subscription was iixcd at Is per member, and over thirty members were enrolled in the room. It was itecidedthat" meetings be held on every third Monday in the mouth. Au enthusiastic meeting, full of hope for the future closer settlement of this district, closed with the customary vote to the chair.