MOLESWORTH STATION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22459, 21 July 1938, Page 10

MOLESWORTH STATION

LEASES REVERT TO STATE ACTION OF LANDS DEPARTMENT HISTORIC RUN NOW OUT O? PRODUCTION [From Our Parliamentary EeporterJ WELLINGTON, July 20. That the interests of the lessee* of the huge Molesworth and Tanidale sheep runs have reverted to the Crown is disclosed in the financial estimates. The accounts cf the Department of Lands and Survey far last year show that the sum ofc £4269 was spent in compensating the present leaseholders, under the heading of "Refund for improvements effected." In an announcement made ia April last the Minister for lands; the Hon. F. Langstone, said that it was the Government's plan to terminate the leases of the propertitft where they still had some time to run, and to have the country spelled for a while and then again offered for lease—and put into productm again if a suitable lessee could b» Since the end of March the 320,000 acres that comprise the huge station has been out of production. Until its abandonment the station. winch covers the hinterland of Canterburj, Nelson. &**& Marlborough, reaching jqex 'short of the West Coast, to the highest inhabited sheep station. in the country. The homestead a 75 miles away from the neare* settlement. _. Mr Langstone said, then, in ha statement that it was recommended bv exaerts that the opportunity should "be taken while the property out of production to clear it «t much as possible from rabbits, i*rnim had cost the lessees as muea aft £IOOO a year to controL