King Country Chronicle Saturday, Nov. 25, 1911. LAND SETTLEMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 417, 25 November 1911, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, Nov. 25, 1911. LAND SETTLEMENT.

• - The land question ia receiving a remarkable degree of attention just now, all the candidates for Parliament placing their views on the question before the electors in the various; districts. Sir John Findlay, in addressing the s Parnell electors tliia week was responsible for the statement that only X, 135,000 acres of lirst-clasa land re muinod in the hands of the Crown,, and he devoted a considerable amount, of time to enlarging upon the methods: which should be adopted for breaking; up large estates. l<Y\v siino people will disagree with the principle of close settlement. and any candidate for Parliament is on perfectly saf« ground in advocating it. The kernel of the question was reached by the "" * candidate when he advocated Htrenu-

ous steps for progressive settlement, and duplicated the battle of tenures as tending to impede, progress in thiai direction. Th:it the freehold can b» reached by legislation jn:;l as easily as leasehold must be apparent to all who consider the question, and in order to reach either, any Government must have a solid body a of public opinion behind it. Widespread public support, however, must be difficult to obtain in any action which attacks ono ef the cherished inntitutinns of any country. As:mminjr that the fee-line; , wth ic'-peff. !<> the freehold (enure in Mai;ii'\ !'':'n'"!i jient.inii'nt. it Ikim to | b' M uk in' i < d tie ; ,n .ill ! k ■ ( k

tenure asjjfreebold and with good reason; still to those who have had any experience of ballots it is common knowledge that the optional tenure at 5 pe'r cent, interest is universally favoured in preference to L.I.P. at 4 per cent. This is convincing evidence that a man will cheerfully pay a little exta, and be satisfied so long as his traditional ideas are upheld, and he can look forward to acquiring the fee simple. All things considered it is to be deplored that leasehold was ever introduced by the State. Whatever commendable features may be found in State leaseholds of virgin lands there can be none in' the private leasing of similar lands. Unfortunately a precedent was established, and with the opening up of the native lands came the opportunity to apply the system

in a manner, and to an end, for which no justification can he found. In this ■ district, embracing both town and country, conditions hav-3 been created which are bound to react to the detriment of the country as a whole, and the fact that such rapid progress has taken place in the district is at once a high tribute to the character of the land, and striking evidence of the land hunger which exists in the country. A reaction is evidently setting in on the leasehold question when a Government advocate is found deploring the battle of tenures, and urging the strenuous settlement of the land irrespective of tenure. With the return to old-established principles on the matter it is to be hoped the native lands will be dealt with and opportunity afforded for remedy-

ing the present iniquitous state of things. Progressive settlement must proceed. Let it proceed en equitable and just lines and in the best interests of the Dominions as a whole.

The Bowling and Croquet Club hold their official opening on Thursday aftsrnoon next, November 30th, at number of visitors and also local people will be present. Given fine weather a pleasant afternoon should be in store for those who attend this function.

The Bowling and Croquet Club's colours may now be obtained from Messrs J. and B. Rosenborg. The colours consist of belts, ties and hat bands. It is necessary that members should obtain a written authority from a member of the committee before purchasing same. The last issue of the Government Gazette contains a notification to the effect that the Rev. E. S. Wayne, of Te Kuiti, has been appointed Chaplain to the Forces, fourth clas3.

Up to the adjournment last evening, the English' cricketers had scored 151 for the loss of four wickets, Hobba 15, Rhodes 15, Hearne 2, and Gunn 50 being disposed of, while Mead 41 and Foster 15 are the not out men. with extras 13 making up the total. Although it was at first feared the lambing returns throughout the district this season would fall considerably below the normal it is pleasing to learn that in many instances the returns are well above the average. Messrs Tappin Bros., at Maraetawa, have just counted a hundred per cent, increase and the lambs are doing excellently.

Attention is drawn to the change in the advertisement for the bazaar to be held next week under the auspices of the Church of England Ladies' Guild at Te KuitiTown Hall, on Tuesday and Wednesday next. Th? function is being thoroughly well organised and promises to be a great success.

On the arrival of the Ministerial party at Te Koura on Wednesday afternoon. Lady Ward was presented with a beautiful bouquet by the school children of Or.garue. The ceremony of the afternoon was then commenced. Mr W. T. Jennings and the chairman of the Ohura County Council (Mr G. C. Stevenson) said a few words of welcome The chairman of the Auckland Railway League (Mr G. L. Peacocke) followed.

The gales of the past month have been so severe in the Kimbulton district (savs the Feilding Star) that some of the farmers have already sown down oats twice, and in more than one case it will be necessary to sow again. The winds have blown the top ofr the paddocks, taking with it the seed and the artificial manures which had been applied to the light soil. One settler states that the roof of his house and of the other buildings is covered with the fertiliser which he spread over bis paddock! The farmers are beginning to wonder when they are to get a chance to proceed with the necessary spring work. It is feared by some of the men of the upper ridings of the Kiwitea county that the rainy weather will finish up with a stinging frost, and if this proves to be the case, it will cause serious damage to crop 3 and

grass. In our advertising columns will be founda notification from Mr Jack Moughan, that he has opened his new and well-lighted billiard-room opposite the Town Hall, where he has installed two of Alcock's famous No. 5 commercial tables, the class of which have been used by all the leading players in the world, and which have been spoken so well of by such champion as Roberts, Reese, Stevenson and GiAV These nlayers state that the *-cT}=« are the best they have played on and are the only tables With true angles It is considered players can ■improve 30 per cent, by playing on .Alcock'-i No. 5 commercial tables. Mr guarantees civility, cleanhnessland attention to all who extend -to him their patronage, and he is deserving of the best support of cuists, for he has gone to a lot of expense in