OTAGO CENTRAL LAND HUNGER

Evening Star, Issue 20253, 14 August 1929, Page 8

OTAGO CENTRAL LAND HUNGER

PETITION TO GOVERNMENT RESUMPTION OF CROMWELL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY'S AREA URGED The following petition, urging_ tho. Government to resume possession of certain lands now under lease to the Cromwell Development Company, has been presented to, the Premier and the Minister of Public Works by Mr C. W. J.Roberts, of Cromwell and others:— “ The undersigned residents of Otago and more directly Cromwell and surrounding districts, respectfully wish to. bring to your notice tlio present conditions obtaining in regard to a large area of land held for closer settlement, and at present under lease to the Cromwell Development Company, Limited. Me urge that the Government should now resume possession of all low-lying country in the vicinity of Cromwell and. Lowburn, at present under lease to the Cromwell Development Company; also acquire the hydro-electric works and ail water rights of the Cromwell Development Company, together with any freehold land held by the company. “1. The progress of the community is being retarded by so large an area lying undeveloped and unsettled. " -‘ 2, The land is adjacent to town and rail, and it has now boon clearly domonstrated that even without water the carrying capacity of such laud can be substantially increased, while, if under water, the area on Cromwell flat would be capable of settling, on a conservative estimate, at least forty families. “3. We submit that the Cromwell Development Company, Limited, has failed in its attempt to settle the Cromwell flat, for after a period of fourteen, vears’ operation not one settler is resident on the flat, nor, indeed, has any land been disposed of by the company. ”4. Though' some 480 acres in the Sarita block have been open for selection for some time, hone of the land lias been disposed of, and we submit as a reason therefor the present apparent insecurity of the company’s main water works and supply, coupled with the high price of the land and water. ”5. Wo further suggest that jack of confidence in the present administration of the water supply has also been detrimental to any settlement, for tin. unfortunate and striking example is m evidence in the many failures on the Rinponvalc settlement, resultant from aii'iiiacleqnate and inefficient water supply and service. , “ 0. We would point out that, while the foundations of a pumping scheme on th« river have been laid, it now seems obvious that only under Government control and the expenditure of a further sum can the works he made secure, and developed to the full capacity of forty heads of water, with tho required security of continuity of service which is so essential to the successful settlement of Cromwell flat. “7. We would urge_tlu.it this scheme possesses tho potentialities necessary to make it the most reliable irrigation, scheme in Cci nil Otago, possessing as it does an unlimited supply of _ water at i its source (the Kawarau River),_ so readily accessible from tho area irrigated. ”8. The fertility of the land in question has been amply demonstrated m years jjast by the various small successfully conducted farms, irrigated by old mining races, the rights of which nnfortniuvtely have in later years been transferred elsewhere. “ I). The present progress of the scheme and lack of developineilt and settlement is detrimental to the wellare of the town of: Cromwell and district. ‘‘ 10. Under Government supervision, dairying and mixed farming would soon be successfully established, with a consequent increased production, meaning additional freight and revenue for the railways, and an increased export. “11, The whole of the area referred to is covered by telephone service and an electric; power scheme, served by a daily mail delivery, a ml, public conveyance of children to the District High Sehpol, while no settler would be a greater distance than four miles from the township of Cromwell, so that tho area would offer all attractions most desirable in a new settlement. “12. There is an increasing and unsatisfied demand for land m this district, both for dairying and sheep._ as is evidenced m the adjoining districts of Bannockburn and Lowburn, where every available small area of land is fenced, and is being improved to carry sheep and dairy cattle. Moreover, there arc many of the Ripponvalo settlers, holding as they do only small areas of about fifteen acres, who desire to obtain, at a reasonable figure, more jam! adjoining their present small holdings, so as to go in for dairying as well as fruitgrowing. As several of tho Ripponvalo orchards arc being removed and a change made to dairying, it is tessential. to make a success of dairying, that those settlers secure more land, and tho only land available is that held bv the Cromwell Development Company ““13. W“ arc grateful for the fact that the Hon. the Prime Minister and many others of his colleagues are fully conversant with the .whole of the details of the. scheme, and appreciate the wonderful -possibilities of the country, and we respectfully urge that immediate steps ho taken, either by negotiation or arbitration, to acquire the interests of the Cromwell Development Company, Limited, and thus make accessible 'to settlers areas that will b* readily sought after if available under reasonable conditions.''’