THE RESERVES QUESTION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 356, 28 November 1882, Page 2

THE RESERVES QUESTION.

Pressure of other matter has prevented us sooner noticing the meeting held at Manaia last week, of which, however, we have already given a report. In the desirability, which was so temperately expressed, that the necessary surveys for partitioning the lands into leasing blocks should be carried on vigorously we fully agree, and we believe that there is every endeavor being made to do so ; yet we cannot altogether coincide with the opinion expressed by one or two of the speakers that, as the 1140 acres close to Manaia had already been done, they should at once be disposed of. A little reflection would, we think, have inclined them to look at the matter in a less local or personal light, and our reason for saying so is : that it would be scarcely wise to lease so small a quantity of land until some more in its neighborhood, perhaps 5000 or 6000 acres, was also ready. We know of a number of persons from Otago, Canterbury, and other parts of the colony who have lately been over the lands in this district and who are desirous of leasing them, but in more instances than one they have expressed a hope that they would not be put up until after their harvest in the south was over, as they would not be able to return and bid for them until it had been got in: Whether it would be advisable to wait so long may be a question. Still, if all the necessary arrangements for leasing 6000 or 7000 acres are ready by the end of February or beginning of March, we should not complain ; it would be something accomplished ; and we have reason to believe that, unless something very unforeseen should occur in the meantime, the realization of our wishes so far will occur.