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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 130, 17 March 1860, Page 3

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To the JSditor of the Sawjke's Bay Herald,

Sib, — In reading your little paper of last week, I came upon the Land Regulations which had been impatiently anticipated both by the public and the runholders. It appears that the five honorable members composing the committee have come to the conlusion of giving certain tenure to the runholder on non-agricultural land improved according to clause 6. I ask you, Mr Editor, if those who occupy rough runs would be placed in a better position than they are at present under the ■old regulations. No, but far worse ; because under these present regulations they have a right of purchase over any land which they wish to apply for, and in taking a lease tinder the new regulations they would be deprived of their right of purchase after the-fourteen years had expired, and then? labour and improvements would only benefit the government, as it is well known that there is no possibility of fencing the rough land that will be fixed 2nd class. Where is the runholder that would attempt to fence in the Mohaka Block ? The cost of road making for drawing the fencing would be ten times more than the cost of purchasing the land. Therefore, these new regulations are made to suit only those who have Ist class land, because those who occupy rough runs might improve and sow English grasses, but not being fenced according to the regulations they would be deprived of their right of purchase. I consider that the Committee of Land Regulations have acted with great injustice towards the occupants of rough runs, not having taken into consideration their disadvantages as to access to their runs, and their not only squatting on but exploring the country to the sacrifice of their means and health. The committee have also fixed both classes at the upset price of 10s. per acre during the lease, therefore I consider that the 2nd class land is not worth more than ss. per acre during the lease, as 5000 acres of average land in the Waipukurau district is worth more than the whole of the Mohaka Block j but very few know what difficulties and disadvantages are to be met in a rough country. Although the majority of the committee were amongst the oldest Bettlers of the province, they seem to have forgotten their fellow settlers who are squatting at the foot of the Snowy Ranges. If the disadvantages of the new regulations are unforeseen at present, the time will soon come when they will be felt by a great many of the poor unfortunate runholders. I am, Sir, Yours, &c, PHILIP DOLBEL.