THE LAND QUESTION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XI, Issue 606, 14 May 1881, Page 3

THE LAND QUESTION.

Mr Pyke gave an address in the schoolroom, St. Bathans, on Monday evening, the 10th instant, on the land question;' Considerable interest has been aroused in this' matter throughout the district,' and a large meeting assem bled to hear Mr Pyke.' Mr John Ewing was Toted ■ to t,he ; chair, and, in introducing Mr Pyke, earnestly impressed the': necessity for united-and. immediate action. ■ , ; At the conclusion of Mr Pyke's address, which was much the Bame as those delivered, elsewhere, nnd-waß most attentively listened to throughout," , Mr George Purton moved, and ->Mr- Pyle. seconded—" That a branch of' the Otago Central Land League be formed at St. Bathans, to co-operate with the branches' already formed ip memorialising Government' as to the necessity for sub-dividing those pastoral runs in the interior of Otago, ;the leases of which will shortly' expire; in sucli a 1 manner as best to promote settlement, and secure, in the interests of the Colony, the largest possible revenue, care being taken to prevent the alienation of auriferous country, while affording facilities for the occupation of such country until required for mining. Also to press on the attention of the Government j the necessity of such alterations being made in ' the Land Act as it has been proved are : required' to suit' the circumstances' of the people of the interior of Otago." Carried, Moved by Mr Pyle, seconded by •Mr Morgan—"That the St. Bathans branch of - the Otago Central Land League consist of Messrs! G. Purton, J, R. Jones, J. Ewing, T. Keenan,' 1 T. Hughes, T. Mee, J. Aitken-' head, P. Jenkins, and. the mover.'" Carried; ■ ■ . 1

Several gentlemen present spoke at length,,-, heartily endorsing Mr Pyke's view, audj al-, together a great deal of interest wa's ityanifested in the proceedings.; . , i I" ' ' A vote of thanks to the worthy, speaker,, and the Chairman, brought *he'meeting'to a Close. ■ • I "