LOCKING UP THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9263, 17 January 1889, Page 6

LOCKING UP THE LAND.

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY | AND SETTLEMENT. [BY TELEGP»APH. —PEESS ASSOCIATION. ] Hgkitika, Wednesday. At a meeting of the Land Board to-day, a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Duncan and Robinson, representing intending settlers, brought under the notice of the Board the serious hindrance to settlement owing to the Midland Railway reservation. The Company have practically six million acres from which to select. It was stated that they wait till an application 13 made for land, and the valuation is put on when they put their price upon it, generally more than double the valuation, if a settler buys they make a profit of a hundred per cent., if nob they don't select. It was probable the country would be locked up this way for years, and settlement be almost ab a standstill, and those who do settle compelled to pay exorbitant prices. The reservation has already been in force five years, and settlers cannot take up land. The speakers condemned the Government granting concession after concession without consulting the districts inferested. It was thought the injury now being sustained was for a company apparently having no intention of completing the railway, and it was doubtful if they would be able to raise the money if desired. It was monstrous that this evil should be permitted to exist. The feeling of indignation was intense.

The Board promised to bring the matter before the Government, and passed a resolution asking permission to be allowed to deal on the old footing with applications, as there were 120 settlers wanting 10,000 to 11,000 acres. One of the deputation said out of fifty applications before the company only three would compete, owing to the exorbitant prices asked.