OXFORD'S HINTERLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16352, 23 September 1913, Page 5

OXFORD'S HINTERLAND.

to Tnr. editor. Sir, —Mr O'Halloran writes a long letter under this bending. ' The land referred to stretches from tho Wain?ra to tho Wairaakhriri, and could .veil he called North Canterbury's hinterland. Your reporter's description of tha locality and its features* in graphic and correct. It has remained a "'terra incognita" during tho whole length of tho Liberal Party's reign. The- attotn.pt made to rood it, via Aohiey Gonra, which Mr O'Hnllomi refers to, >3 a sample of tho late party's business incompetency. To quote Mr O'Halloran's figures, this road hr.d £.IOOO voted and expanded on it in 1S09: £SOO in 1911; and the Hr/n It. M'KVr.sio penmieed £3OOO to aid its eompisiwn whan the 19.i2 Estimates carat* dowo. In all

I £ISOO wan oapsnd&d and £3900 prom- ; ised. Total £4500. | N.v.v, tho point is that this money wns expended and promised before the Goverriraarifc had taken the prwj&ution to ascertain how much tb«< rend would cost, or even if it could be constructed and maiutainod at a reaponable cost, Your reverter speaks truly j of this laud of premise, which belongs ■ to New Zealand's groatest and, most incompetent landlord—the State. It is tot> good a land f.o be made tho limiting ground of wire-pullers, and should bo rcadfttl in a way which' will be most economic hnd convenient to the incoming Rrvfctlovs. . I quite agree with Mr O'Halloran that tho Lands Department wante stirring up, and that some Jocnl knowledge should be secured when subdividing settlement lands.—l am, etc., C. H. ENSOR.