THE FLAXBOURNE SETTLERS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12867, 27 July 1907, Page 8

THE FLAXBOURNE SETTLERS.

(rmaat association nLMBAif.')

BLENHEIM, July 26. A meeting of settlers from all part* of the province waa held in Blenheim last night, to protest against the delay in extending the railway line to Flaxbourne and the erection of a new wharf at Picton. Tho Flaxbourne settlers complained bitterly of the way the Government had treated them. They had been promised an extension of the line immediately Floxbourne was acquired, with the result that the estate was subdivided in.smaller section* than otherwise would hare been the case, and holdings taken up near the township of Ward. Many sections are only ten acres in sine. The position now is that thirty of the holders, not able to reside on their sections, have been warned that they must do so or forfeit them. Settlers are reluctant to do this, and urge that the Government should come to their aid at the present juncture, by letting railway work to teamsters by contract, and so enable them to eke out a living until the railway runs right through. The meeting resolved that a deputation of all the local bodies should go to Wellington and urge the claims of the South Inland Main Trunk line.