THE MAKURI SETTLERS.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 98, 26 April 1895, Page 4

THE MAKURI SETTLERS.

A long report from Mr. T. K. Slaodonald, who inspected tho sections taken up in the Makuri distriot, concerning whioh tho selectors have made various complaints, was laid before the Land Board yesterday. Mr. Macdonald states that the lands in question were greatly overvalued by the surveyors who cnt up the block, but there was thiß excuse to be found for them—that prior to the bash being touched the country looked wonderfully well, the formation being limestone and papa, and the soil fairly good. The statements made in the Government advertisements and plans a* to the character of the country, the climate, timber, &0., put forth with a view to induce the taking up of the lands, were, however, extremely misleading, and the praotioal experience of the selectors had conclusively demonstrated the fact. He examined a number of selectors' accounts, and found that in every case the receipts had failed to pay oven the ordinary working expenses, to say nothing of rent or interest upon capital expended in improvement. Mr. Macdonald recommended reductions in tho capital value of every section. Mr. Wilßon, ono of tho settlors, waited on the Board and ably championed the oause of tho selectors. The Board decided to ask the Minister of Lands 'o agreo to the appointment of an expert to not with Ranger Tone in making a ro-vi luation of the landß, with the object of enabling the settlers fo surrender their leases and take up the seotions again at rednced rentals.