LAND SETTLEMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 12258, 27 July 1904, Page 3

LAND SETTLEMENT.

At the close of the ballot for the Patcaroa sections yesterday a meeting of those interested in the openiug of the lands for the people was held in the Ijand Board room. The meeting was convened by Sir John Blakely (Gimmerburn) for tho purpose of arranging committees, preparing petition, etc., to urge upon the Governin nt the necessity lor throwing open for selection Puketoi run and Linnburn run at Patearoa. Tho convener drew attention to the large number of applicant's for runs and sections in this locality at each ballot, and stated that there were hundreds of voung men anxious to get on the land who wou'd have to leave the colony and make homes elsewhere unless the large hold ngs were soon settled. These holdings were admirably suited for small-graz-ing mils'. A petition should be presented to the Government urging them to obtain for settlement the large areas referred to. Mr J. R. Kirk, sol.citor, stated that Mr Watson held Puketoi—an .area of about 36,000 acres—under a renewed lease granted to him for twenty-one years from 1898. Mr Tumbull held Linnburn under a lease which exp'red in 1910, both estates bring cl;<ss:d as first class. He did not think that as the law stood the Government cou'd resume these lands until the expiry of the respective terms, and, speaking generally, he doubted whether they could take the lands under the laud for Sett cm:uts Act.* If a petition were presented to the Minister, the latter would see that there was a genuine deeiic by bona tide applicants to take up and settle upon the lands, and the Government would probably not renew Mr Turnbull's lease of Linnburn when that expired six yc-irs hence. That amount of good would be done, but he d:d not flunk the Government had power to do anyth ng ehe. They could bo approach;d with a view to getting them t-o offer terms to the present lessees for the purchase of their leases and improvements, and of course, if terms could be and the Government purchased, the land would then be thrown open. In such event, however, a higher rental would probably be asked from selectors than would be asked if the Government cou'd offer tho lands without having first to buy.

Mr M.ithewfon thought it might be as well to devote attention solely to Linnburn, with a view to securing that a renewed 1 aso wou'd not be granted. After several gentlemen had spoken, Mr Blakely moved —"That Mr J. It. Kirk be instructed to prepare a pet tion (o the Government praying that Pi'ketoi and Linnburn be acquired and offered for settlement as soon as possible." He considered that .is the Government lnd tied the. lands up they should help to havo them released.- The motion was seconded by Mr W. Hall, jv.u. (Patea.roa), and carried'unanimously.

Messrs M. Cotron, J. P. Herlihy. and Pobert M'Sk/mming were appoints a committee to obtain signatures at Patcaro 1, Mr ]\. Johnstone at Blaekstonc Hill, Mr T. Gilchr'st at Rough Pidge and Ida Volley, Mr G. Bottin'j at Dunedjn and Livingstone. Mr J. Blakely at Gimmerhurn ami Wedderburn, and 'Mr T. C. Hore at Nasoby.