CROWN LANDS.—PROOFS SHOWING HOW THE GOVERNMENT ARE UNJUSTLY HOLDING THEM BACK FROM SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11770, 27 September 1901, Page 6

CROWN LANDS.—PROOFS SHOWING HOW THE GOVERNMENT ARE UNJUSTLY HOLDING THEM BACK FROM SETTLEMENT.

TO THE EDITOC. Sir, The Premier's and the Minister for Lands' incorrect and misleading statements made on July 25 and August 14- respecting the valuable Crown lands they have for 10 years kept idle here, show to what length they will go to oppose the settlement of the Crown lands in this district.

1. The Premier's" statement, made on July 25, "That the Crcwn lands are situated too far from communication," is not true. A short road of only rbout one mile and ahalf made across the "'idle Crown land" in the Waihi swamp here, would open for settlement and progress nearly 100,000 acres, and nearly all of it- second-class Crown land lying totally idle, and this short road would bring all this area within easy distance of Make! Harbour. Tho Government have prevented hundreds of settlers who have wanted this land from, taking it up, through not making this short road, that could not possibly cost but a few hundred pounds to make, preferring rather to load the colony with an immense debt in unnecessarily buying improved estates. 2. Tho Minister for Lands' statement, made on August 14. ''That the Crown land m the Waihi swamp is composed of 6ft of peat overlying pumice,'' is not true. Drains sft and Bft deep that have been made are here to be seen, proving to ocular demonstration the untruth of that statement, for nowhere in these drains lias the bottom of black, rich soil been touched (not peat) nor anywhere has any pumice been found, thus showing in a practical, manner that this "idle Crown land" is one of the richest blocks of land in the colony. One acre of this land, when drained, would be worth and grow more produce than five acre? or more of the wretched land at Pomohaka, or many others of the improved estates they have given so much for. This shows the tyranny and injustice of the Government as landowners here, for the Government candidate led us to believe if he was returned that this swamp land would be drained, and a road made across to open the whole district to progress. 3. The Minister for Lands also said the "Pongakawa River is very slow, and in time of flood it overflows the whole of the swamp." No statement could be more untrue than this, for it is so rapid that if a beast gets in it takes it down. It runs at the rate of about three miles an hour, and as to it overflowing the whole of the swamp, well, settlers who have lived her© 11 years have never seen such an overflow. The fact is, a large portion of the land in this swamp is firm, diy land, and has been walked over dry shod many times. 4. The Minister for Lands said "he was very sorry he did not see this swamp." It is a. great shame that he (like his predecessor), after promising to come and see it, should have so neglected his duty as to pass this whole district, because if he had come and inspected this swamp he could not then have made the incorrect statements he has.

Another proof showing the quality of the land in the Wnihi swamp is that so many who know the land want to take some of it. Anntlier petition signed by 46 settlers and residents has been sent to the Government, through our member. This makes the fifth petition that has been sent appealing to them to open this land for settlement. Private enterprise would also have taken up this land four years ago, tUid would have drained and made a road across it, but the Government would not sell it, nor will they do anything to it themselves. And is there no redress? Is this district to be still held back from progress? Will the Government be allowed to still stand in the way of settlement, as they have for 10 years, through keeping the Gro' n lands idle when so many want to take them tip?— am, etc., S. I/ANGFORD. Pongakawa, September 23, 1901.