Otago Pastoral Lands.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 16 April 1920, Page 3

Otago Pastoral Lands.

As a remit of the agitation for the better use of the pastoral lands the Governor has appointed the Southern Lands Pastoral Commission. The members are—Mr R. T. Sadd, commissioner of lands for Otago (chairman) ; Mr W. R. Buckborst, land valuer of Cbriatcburch; Mr Leonard Cockayne, scientist; Mr D. Jardine, pastoralist of Birchwood; Mr R. Scott, farmer of Kyeburn; Mr A. M Innes, farmer of Otaike; and Mr C. Todd, chairman of the Otago Expansion League. The business of the Commission is to inquire and report upon— The present tenureß under which the said lands are held, and whether they ara in the best intersßts of the State J and of the tenants.

Whether they should be amended and, if bo, in what direction.

The conditions now existing regarding the occupation and stocking ef the said lands, and the improvements which may be and are effected by tenants and for which valuation is allowed under the existing conditions of ths Land Act under which the said lands may be held.

Any steps that should be taken to further sub-divi'e the areas in which the said lands are held and to prevent undue aggregation thereof. The causes of the deterioration or depletion of the graS3 lands; the b-ist methods of regressing the deputed areas, either by surface sowing or by spelling to allow of the regrowth of natural grasses, or by other means.

The present condition of the sheeprunß with regard to producing winter feed, and the methods ;j(if any) which should be undertaken to encourage more extensive cultivation on suitable parts of such runs.

The beßt util sation of the existing water supply for lands situated in areas where the rainfall is especially low, and whether it is desirable that expert inquiry should be made into the supply of adaitional waUr either by means of races or otherwise for the purpose of irrigation. Whether the burning of tussock land is desirable; and if to, under what circumstances. Their itinerary includes on the 6th May a journey from Clyde to Ranfurly