THE GUM COMMISSION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9944, 25 January 1898, Page 6

THE GUM COMMISSION.

(1-*—SS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND, January 24. Tbe Gum Commission sat in Dargaville and took evidence. Mr Horace Hammond, the County Engineer, stated that he had issued only 206 gum licenses in (brae years. There Were fewer diggers in the district now, as the timber industry had absorbed them. He had "great difficulty in obtaining able-bodied men to do road work. Times were very prosperous here just now. It was far better to let a man have a piece of Crown land, even if gum land, to settle upon than to leave it open to a roving population. This would not lead to a monopoly if the areas were not too large. Mr Jacob Rodotich, a Crotian and Crown settler in the Marlborough district, had not heard of Austrians coming under contract through Messrs Mitchelson or others. Many of his countrymen would settle, but it cost too much to bring their families out. If they could get good land from the Government they would jump at i— It would be a good thing if pamphlets explaining the land laws in the Dalmatian dialect were circulated. This would lead to many of his countrymen settling, if the some opportunity were given to them as is given to Mangatu settlers, and they would have done better. As regards savings, tbe Austrians were good and bad. They would lay by £1 per week. Four other Austrians gave evidence. The Commissioners th— morning proceeded to Harding's lease, and took evidence from Austrians working there. Their agreement with Harding was hall tbe royalty per quarter per man, in return for which Harding will have his swamp drained. They were free bo deal with storekeepers. They have a right bo take gum for ben years from the swamp, but have to work the swamp in sections. They thought their countrymen would settle oa the land if some concessions were given them.