LAND MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 16, 21 January 1901, Page 2

LAND MATTERS.

The meeting of the Land Board is to be held at Gisborne this morning, and there are one or two matters on which the public should have information during the sitting of the Board, For instance,-the reason why' the Waimata land was withdrawn has never been officially stated. Reasons have been suggested, and probably one or more may be correct; but many of those who applied or' intended to apply for the land were naturally annoyed at the peremptory withdrawal without explanation of any kind, and it would be well if an explanation were given at the meeting this morning. Another point is that there is a firm belief that much land along the coast that might be made available to meet the demand for land for settlement is not offered for selection. It is not necessary at present to particularise areas, but it would be interesting to learn from the Board why these lands are not thrown open for selection. What the people desire is that the members of the Board should be in close touch with this grand district in the development of which they can do so much ; and our occasional grumbles they should take in good part, for they do not arise from any spirit of churlishness, but rather from a keen desire that the natural resources of the district should be speedily developed so that there may no longer be heard the cry of people' eager for land while thousands of acres are lying waste,

Our cablegrams this morning are of a highly sensational nature. The reports as to the illness of the Queen will be received with much concern throughout the nation. The fact that the Kaiser has hurried away from the Bicentenary celebrations and is speeding across the ocean by special cruiser is a plain indication that it is considered Her Majesty is in a very grave condition of health. The news from the seat of war is of a most interesting nature. The New Zealanders have again been distinguishing themselves. The disrating of General Colville shows that Lord Kitchener is beginning to use stern measures with the officers. The messages in regard to Fiji show that Mr Seddon has some trouble to face in that quarter, and the Governor is apparently more determined than ever to resent what he terms “ the impudent aspirations of Mr Seddon.”