CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 59, 10 March 1911, Page 3

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

IN THE WAIAU

[from our correspondent.]

OHRISTCHURCH, March 9. It is about nine years ago since closer settlement commenced in the Waiau and surrounding districts. The two Lyndon settlements, the Highfield and Culverden estates, have been acquired and settled by various farmers, and this,-together with the cutting up of properties by private owners, '■ has transformed the district into a closely-settled and prosperous farming community. Its progress has been greatly hampered, however, by the need of railway communication, for, while a great deal of land is being utilised tor grain-growing, there are thousands of acres now carrying sheep that could be brought into cultivation and made to produce many times the amount in grain and produce they are now doing, if the railway were brought close to hand. A good deal has been done in the way of agitation in the past, but it is felt that a body is required that has for its object the. extension of the railway from Culverden to Rotherham and Waiau.

With this object in view a meeting was held. It was largely attended and it was unanimously decided to form a League to be called the Culverden, Rotherham, and Waiau RMlway Extension League. Members were enrolled, and the subscription was fixed.

Officers were elected as follows:— President, Mr K. Pettigrew; vicepresident, Mr C. Foster; secretary and treasurer, Mr Stanley Baker'; committee, Messrs Rinaldi, Burbury. W. J. Rutherford, J. Kennedy, and F. Wilkin.

The following wore elected, to canvass the various districts pnd enrol members: Messrs J. Kennedy. Pocklington, R. McTmo M. M. Crampton W. P. Polhill, Rinaldi, Wilkin, and Burburv.