THE LAND COMMISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12812, 11 March 1905, Page 4

THE LAND COMMISSION.

EVIDENCE TAKEN AT QUESTS '-1 TOWN. [BY TELEGHAI'H.—OWN" correspondent.] Qtjbenstown, Friday. The Land Commission had a pleasant trio to Queenstown. A small army of commit sioners and others Signified their intention of making the ascent of Ben Lomond next morning, bub on the morrow the army nad dwindled down to a regiment consisting of one commissioner and two reporters!; These three thoroughly enjoyed the climb and the remarkably line view from the summit. A lew- members of the Commitsion made a, steamer trip to the head of the lake, the others sat at Queenstown and took further evidence.

Andrew Eraser, a, farmer with a freehold and a leasehold, spoke of the necessity for allowing more favourable terms in connection with valuation for improvements on the leasehold. A man should be able to take up land with the right to purchase but he would not like to see the freehold granted under the Lands for Settlement; scheme. The area to be held by one man/ should be. limited.

George McKenzie, Grown lands ranker i said settlement at the head of the lake was going back. The laud was poor, and was not being improved Mining in the district was declining, and the district was coming gradually to bo a, pastoral one, though there was- »mo good agricultural land between Queenstown and Arrow town, and on the Grown Terrace excellent barley was grown, and the wheat yield was 70 bushels to the acre.

The Chairman said he had known a field of oats on the Crown Terrace to yield 112 bushels to the acre.

Witness noticed changes in the season*, and the harvest was now two months later than it used to be. The majority of the Hawea Flat settlers were doing very well.

James Gorge, Government district valuer, said the value of land in the lower end of Vincent County was rising fast, in account of the pushing on of the Otago Central railway. It was also increasing ia the Lake Country, on account of the rice in the price of stock. Land that was worth 30s an acre years ago was nowworth £3 to £3 10s an acre. He referred to the unimproved value. Sales of agricultural laud in the district had been at prices in excess of the Government capital values. There was no dairying except for local use. There was a strong desire amongst settlers and miners to have the large runs subdivided, so that they might engage in sheep farming. John Edgar, miner, and at one tins* chairman of the County Council, said mining was not progressing in the district at present. The agricultural and pastoral occupation.'! were never more prosperous than at present. Francis Mcßride, farmer, said rabbit* were still numerous in the district.