THE LEEFIELD GROWN LAND.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 117, 15 May 1912, Page 7

THE LEEFIELD GROWN LAND.

SUBDIVISION PROPOSAL. In accordance wjth previous notice of motion, Mr Reader at the meeting of the Land Board yesterday moved: "'That tho Board, after inspecting the JL2,GOO acres at the back of Leefield freeiiolct, »t present leased on temporary lease to the executors of Mrs C. Dillon, consider that the area should be subdivided into two small grazing runs and offered by ballot for public competition." Mr Dillon wrote offering the increased rental of £100 per annum for xho least hold for a seven years' lease. Mr Header said that his motion was the dutcomep of a visit made to the country by the members of the Board. He felt sure that with, a little work nnd improvement the country would easily c&rry 3000 sheep, and suj^port two tenants. The trouble was the need for . means of access; a road would be required. ;.• Mr Dillon, in his. letter, represented that he did not think a rental of £100 would, allow much profit; but he offered it with the view to being left alone. If the leasehold were taken away, a good deal of expense and trouble would be imposed., upon him for fencing adjustments. The Commissioner said he had been over the, country a second time, and had obtained estimates of the cost of giving access by providing a road T-hrougb Mr R. Goulter's property. He gave the Board this information. Mr Fulton said that oris of his objects ever since he had been on the - Board was to get the Leefield couniiy subdivided. However, Mr Header }»<«! forestalled him. He thought that it was ur-.wise on Mr Reader's part to give notice of motion. When the members went over the land there wore very few sheep there; but ho had every, reason to think that tho leasehold country could be converted into either two or three runs! He thought the country was capable of carrying English grasses well. It was entirely free from rabbits. Mr Reader said that Mr Fulton •vv-as evidently jealous because he (Mr. T?cader) had;tfik'en action. If Mr Fulton was so:.;anxious to see the country -settled why did he not move? Mr Fulton said he would- like, to reply, only it was ruled that he could cot do so. a; '

Mr Reader thought that the lease hold •■would' support two famine; easily, lie asked whether they couk not exchange land with Mr Uillon i< provide tor the necessary access inex pensively. Mr George Lano wjxs o the opinion that the leasehold wouk support three fanriliys. Ho \Sh ■ leader) thought that if the leaseholc i were- subdivided it should bring in a I rental of £200. . I ■■ Mr Boyd said that he would like tc :see new settlers on the ground; but. ! 6>' "course, if the suggested loading ■ couid not be made a business proposijiion, thei* presumably the leasehold would have to be }et again to Jvii Dillon at an increased rental. Mr A. McCallum said that there were 1/.000 acres of freehold andj.2,UOO acres of leasehold. Was it not a block as a whole that they should ask the Land Purchase Board to aim at .•ioiuiriiig:' , He referred to the Cantorbury land ballot ' 'held the other day, in which the names of a considerable number of Marlborough people figured. It was greatly to be regretted that this district should be drained of its rising bone and sinew. Tha district had been much neglected in the: matter of closer land settlement for spine years . past. He did not want to see Mi* Dillon or anyone dispossessed of their just rights; but he thought, that everything within reason should be done to place, new sefctlers on tho land. The time had arrived when the Land Board should make some move iii. the interests of the people desiring a footing on the soil, and not give all its attention to the mere clods. ' Mr llei-.der said that he thoroughly agieed Avith Mr McCallum.' Some time ago the Board.' urged the desirV/bleneis of the -Land Purchase. Board's acquiring Leefield. But a new Government was in power, with ' the expressed intention of pitsh.ing on •..t«nti cause of closer settlement, and he> would like to sec further representations made. r~ ; ~, - Mr Boyd suggested that the Government should be urged-to taka steps for the^acquisitipn of, LeeueLd ;j in. view of tK'e"present difficulty/ of providing 'road access to the leasehold. - The ■;. Commissioner said '■■tliat;', no doubt Mr McGalltim had expressed the general wish. He himself had strongly recommended to Mr Dillbn the de&irablenGSs of a subdivision of tlie whole property; but Mr Dillon could not see his way to make any definite» promise. The Board Mad- to consider whether it would be a proper business proposition to subdivide tlie leasehold, consideiihg the expense of providing access. He pointed out that the Board could accept Mr Dilkiu's offer of £100 a year, making the lease iiom year to year, in thevhope thVt he would see his way # to sub'livide the freehold-' in conjunction: with the leasehold. The Board could act accordingly, as time went on. v Mr Fulton was for pushing on with roprescntations to the Land Purchase Board. ' Mr Render said he was inclined to test the position at once. With rcr gord to his proposal to subdivide the leasehold, one w»y' out of the difiiciilty, porhans, was; to. purchase flat Valid on tlie.Tyiite.sfield sidb for home^ stead Pitas and the working',of • the Lpofield' country : . ■ Mr Boyd liked Mr McCallum's policy. There were far too many big properties in Marlboroiigh, and fchese conditions were keeping the back. DJseussir.n of the question was resumed in the afternoon, and the following resolution, proposed by Mr Reader, atid seconded by Mr Fulton, ivas carrioil unanimously :-—"That the Board consider the leasehold area should be subdivided into two small grazing runs and offered by ballot at public competition, and that the Department take steps to acquire homestead sites on-the Tyntesficia Estate, and also provide for road access through that property."