HIGH-COUNTRY RUNS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22317, 3 February 1938, Page 12

HIGH-COUNTRY RUNS

ABANDONMENT BY LESSEES DISCUSSION BY PROGRESS LEAGUE The abandonment of high-country runs in the province was briefly discussed at a meeting last night of the executive committee of the Canterbury Progress League, after one member had declared that the Government did not intend to put this land to any use and that it would become a breeding ground for rabbits. The committee decided to obtain more information about the Government's intentions before giving the matter further considciation. The discussion was opened by Mr J K. McAlpine, who referred to reports that the Molesworth, Tarndale, and Glens of Tekoa higncountry runs, which are Crown lands, had been abandoned by tne lessees. The Government intended to do nothing with them, said Mr McAlpine. Other runs had 7<.entioned and if they the Crown it would be a s^ menace to the country. matter was of national importance, he said and should be discussed by tne (Mr P- CH«>ie) said it was true that the lease of Glens of Tekoa had expired and the Government did not intend to re new it, but he had had no information about the other runs. He understood that the Minister f Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone) had said that afforestation was to be carried out to prevent erosion. Mr F. D. Sargent: I think afforestation is the Government's chief objective. If that is so we can have no objection, but if there are any other reasons we might have something to say. Mr H. Holland commented that the Waimakariri River Trust considered the runs should be closed, for the destruction of vegetation caused serious erosion. That was shown by a rise of 2ft 6in in the bed of the Waimakariri since the highways bridge was opened. “We cannot very well discuss this until we know what the Government intends to do,” said the chairman (Mr F. Coop). On his suggestion it was decided to seek more information before considering the matter again. _______________