OTAGO CENTRAL RUNS

Evening Star, Issue 20149, 13 April 1929, Page 9

OTAGO CENTRAL RUNS

. > THE mu m SUBDIVISION APPEAL TO MINISTER (.Special to in* ‘ Star.'] CROMWELL, April 13. The activities of the recently ioruled Progressive League are already manifest, ami it is safe to predict that the organisation will develop into a particularly useful body for the welfare and progress of the district. In its first protest it was successful in having cancelled the grant ol a large area of Mount Pisa Flats to one man, and its requests were heeded in the direction of subdivision and ballot. In its sec-

ond protest, against the transfer of the Mount Burk run, it received little sympathy from the Otago Land Board, whose action was identical with its former policy. However, immediately information was received that the board had ignored the requests of the league and had granted the transfer, telegrams of protest wore despatched to the Prime Minisor and Minister of Lands, who has the final word in api proving grants. The Ministers have replied acknowledging the protests, stating that the official recommendations of the board have not yet been received, and definitely assuring the league' than .nothing in the way of approving transfer will be done pending the visit to Wellington next week of Mr Bodkin M.P. Locally, Mount Burk is considered to oflor excellent opportunity for the Government to prove its acclaimed policy of dealing with such properties for closer settlement, ntift local residents consider that it offers a splendid test case. The league is not over-enthusiastic regarding the board’s reply to numerous resolutions presented to the last meeting, and the Minister’s/ influence on these matters will also he sought during Mr Bodkin's visit.' The league will also strongh advocate- direct to the Minister th*> subdivision of “The Pi hit ” run at 1 arras, which is now under considerati vg. and will seek the Minister’s sympathy in the direction of tho board giving consideration to the |

opinons of the local Advisory .Committee. It was valuable in the original subdivision and would be now, 1 i all such matters it seems <>-'deiit that the local league will deal dirccfj' with tne Ministers;