THE POMOHAKA ESTATE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9834, 17 September 1897, Page 5

THE POMOHAKA ESTATE.

The settlers on the Pomohaka Estate held t meeting on Friday evening last, for the purpose of considering what steps they should take in get relief from the high rents they are flying. Almost all the settlers were present, mid it was (the Malaura Ensign states) evident from their sppoarance that they were of the right 3tamp—hard working and practical men. One Hottler ufter another stated his experience. They all, it appeared from their Htatements, went on to the land full of hope, and all had been bitterly disappointed, finding thut the returns were not sulHcicnt to pay rent and other expenses. The first speaker said that although everything had been in his favour when ho went on to tho ground aud although he had followed farming all his life, he could not make it pay, and lie was prepared to give up hia section if he could get half the value of his improvements. "If you got behind," he said, "the Pomahaka is not good enough to enable you to pay up back rents." A second settler said the surest test was whether one could make enough to pay rent and other expenses, and ths Pomaliaka would not stand that test; a third, who had been two and n half years on the property, said his receipts during that time had been £91, out of which he had to pay £60 fov rent and £15 for railway charges, leaving £16 to meet his household expenses, and stated also that, while he had to pay 3s 6d per acre of rent, about 9d per acre waa what he could pay if he was to keep himself and pay rent; a fourth settler put down the value of the land as 9d per' acre; a fifth said he had carted more oats on to his place thun ho had carted away; a sixth quoted figures to show the excessive valuation put on the properly ; and a seventh, who had expended over £550 in improvements in three years, said ho was three rents behind. On the suggestion of Mr J. W. Thomson, M.H.R., who was present, it was agreed to lay the whole of the facts before tfie Minister for Lands.