THE LAND COMMISSION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5603, 1 June 1905, Page 3

THE LAND COMMISSION.

Special to “ N.Z. Times.” I STRATFORD, May 31. The southern division of Land Commission, of which Mr J. MoKorrow is chairman, left hero early yesterday morning for Whangamomona. This necessitated a coach journey of forty miles. Evidence is being taken at Whangamomona to-day, and the Commission will sit at Strathmore to-mor-row, arriving in Stratford the same evening. Apropos of the new necessarily hurried progress of the Commission, a good deal of dissatisfaction has been expressed at Wanganui and Eltham because those towns are not to he visited. In Eltham it is stated that fifteen of tho oldest fanners in the district had been selected to give evidence. It should he remembered, however, that they have only six miles to travel to give their evidence at Stratford. Tho Commission’s first visit to the back blocks of Taranaki did not commence auspiciously. Word has been received hero that when approaching Whangamomona last night tho buggy, containing the chairman and several other members of tho Commission, Mr Simpson (Commissioner of Crown Lands), Mr Barron (Crown Lands Ranger), and others mot with, a slight mishap, tho polo breaking. As it was too dark to effect repairs, it was decided to leave the buggy on tho roadside, and the passengers made a forced march to Whangamomona, three or four miles distant, where they arrived an hour and a half after tho advance party. TB AWAMBTIT, May 31. Tho northern half of tho Land Commission visited the Government farm at Ruakura yesterday forenoon, and were greatly pleased at the result of four yiears’ operations. They drove from Hamilton to Te Awamutu, and saw a large extent of very fin£ country. A meotrns’ was hold immediately on arrival at To Awamutu. and was fairly well attended. Tho evidence was unanimously in favour of the freehold an dgranting tho option of purchase to Crown tenants. The Commission left at daybreak on a drive to Kawhia.