FORTY MILE BUSH.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2274, 2 August 1894, Page 2

FORTY MILE BUSH.

Tho deputation of settlers from the Makuri district in the Forty Mile Bush, who interviewed the Minister of Lands on Monday evening with a petition asking that the land in that locality should be revalued with a view to the reduction of the perpetual lease rentals, again saw the Minister yesterday morning. Mr E. C. Wilson produced a schedule showing that 46 selectors were concerned j that they occupied 19,206 acres, of which 7493 acres had been cleared, and on which JJ37.8Q9 had been expended. The Minister stated that he had not as yet placed the representations' of the settlers before his colleagues, but he did not think a Eevaluation Act would be entertained, inasmuch as the last measure of the kind had in some instances been grossly abused. The settlers, however, could obtain a reduction of one per cent, in their rental by exchanging their perpetual leases for leases in perpetuity; or they could surrender their sections and get them re-valued ‘ and reoffered, in which case their improvements would be protected. It was his intention to get a revaluation made of their sections, and possibly after the session he would visit the locality and see the country for himself, '

The deputation suggested that the valuer should not be a Government official.

The Minister replied that he would endeavour to get a report from a valuer who would be disinterested and competent.