THE: RAUMATI BLOCK.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXIII, Issue 281, 6 December 1911, Page 5

THE: RAUMATI BLOCK.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir.- In your editorial note at the foot of my letter in yesterday's issue, in reference to the Raunuiti block, then known as Otanga, you state as follows: "There were difficulties in the way, inasmuch as the Hath bones had so split the block up amongst themselves that the tJovernment could not got it except by private treaty, and were obliged to give the owners their own price. Ihe Government could not have acquired the block eompulsorily." J these statements a most emphatic denial. The block was not split up. It was held in t.he one name, that of mv mother, -Mrs Lissie Rathhone. The Government could have acquired the block eompulsorily under the Lands for Settlement Act, and L still maintain that if they gave too high a price they have only themselves to blame. To insinuate, as you have done, that unmet her would have secured the assistance of "squatter" friends to increase the price against the settlers is thoroughly unworthy of you and is an innuendo for which you have no justification. I can only treat it with contempt.—l am, etc., L. C. HATH BONK.