FARMERS AS “MUGS"

Manawatu Times, Volume XLXI, Issue 3481, 15 December 1926, Page 11

FARMERS AS “MUGS"

PAID TOO MUCH FOR LAND. ASSESSMENT COURT EXTRACTS. , It was cool in the old City Council Chamber, says the “Christchurch Sun,” its well-ventilated interior was caressed by a gentle breeze from the river. The Assessment Court had come back to town, and the assessors sat on the dais overlooking maps, and plans and documentary plies, and Harewood farmers who made open confession on the fact that they were mugs, aud chumps and had fallen In. They told a sad story of poor land, hard times, low values, and high Government valuations. Strongly and picturesquely they objected to the figures of the Government men, who in their turn went into details to prove that Harewood riding of the Walmairi County is not such a bad sort of a place after all, and fhat the valuation • hais a basis in honesi worth.

The Court heard some woeful tales, and laughed betimes. Read— I was looked upon as a joke when I bought the farm. “Well,” said Mr. Hewitt, “If you’ve been a joke for ten years you’re a lucky man.” ■ , "One swallow does not make a summer,’” said a valuer when an objector pointed out the lo.w price of sale of an adjoining- property. “There is riot better land in New Zealand,’.’ - was -. jad remark ’ that led a valuer tO' Say' ttiaf "'everybody ; else’s land seemed to be better than that oi the objectors. ® ♦ “The land’s, getting played out; his wife and him have slaved there,” a witness remarked. “The land has' Californian thistle.” said Mr. Mallejv, ! “That’s no fault of the land,*’ said a member of the,- Courts’ <S> <s> It is really only a holding paddock? No, not even that,las the stock would get into the swamp and be drowned. <S> .“<s> <S> He was what you would a mug? Well he would want the place pretty bad. They all seem to be mugs in this district. Mr. Hewitt: Aren’t we all? Mr. F. W. Josnston: Yes, aren’t we all ? You own up that you arc one of the chumps? —— it seems so. . • Mr. Hewitt: Ho- seems to be in good company. C'i- <*> :•&' . •. We’ve been trying to sell it for the last ten years at '.JfIS an acre, but can’t find anyone Sflffc enough. ■ <S> <t> <t> I bought at £7O an acre, and paid too much. ' , ■■ Another mug. eh?.' ' That*is so. #• *). I'll offer it to the ; Government. “Well 'that simplifies things,” said Mr. Hewitt. , “You can have it,” said the objector emphatically. “I go out to work to keep the farm.” <»<&<s> Mr. F. W. Johnston; How long will it take the city to get out where you are? • Another 150 years at the present rate of buying. “y,