LAND SETTLEMENT IN THE SHAG VALLEY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8721, 6 February 1890, Page 4

LAND SETTLEMENT IN THE SHAG VALLEY.

I At Wednesday's meeting of the District Land Board, Mr Jontt M'Kkkzik introduced a deputation, consisting of Messrs Kemp (Mooraki), Kidd (Shag Valley), aud Hoss (Dunb>,ck). lie statedthat several other gentlemen would hfive appeared with the deputp.tion, but they were Ui/i able to be present, sis they were busy with hr-^Astiag operations. The o!>ject of the deputation '""»-to present a petition to the board, signed by-1 )(' w-ttlt^s j n the Shag Valley district. The petitic""'"m"Ko'">ip when it appeared in the papers last tt*?k «"<> «ief b ,, ard ua d dealt with runs US and 121 ■-*» Ooiißutrahltf arllOun t o t surprise was expressed ln «'c oistnet wht^ i* wa3 known that the board fa^d atonle.l to nilct ribn 12i [ ur jq Tears n.iru.,11., of people had kcera looltii^ Jui".-a.ru -'.o being able to get a portion of (Mis ran for settlement,' and the same remark applied', to run 109, The deputation accordingly waited >upon him to try to prevent the Eale of the runs, aud'he thought the test thing he could do was to bring the;deputation before the board. They had got up a peitition which they would present to the b.rard that da#. They did not wish to cavil at the action of the commissioners in dealing with the runs, as they were Satisfied that the commissioners could iiut have known that there was tueh a strong desire in the district to get these ruro for settlement. They, however, hoped that the board would now recommend the Minister of Lauds do withdraw the runs from sale. Me did not think thtre could be any question at all as to the suitability ot the country for the purpose for'-which it war. wunted-naraefy, for small grazing runs. The runs in question were almost surrounded by settlement already. He knew the people wi Ui whom ha was associated that day were quite prepared to take up some of tliia country, and there were several others who were also prepared to do so, and they all hi>.<! both the judgment and the meaasto make good settlers. If the board re commended the Minister of Lands to withdraw these runs for sale, the lc:;se would not expire for 12 mouths, and the board could deal with it any tittle during tlm 12 monllm, and full inquiry could be made as io the tana fide if those < people who i wanted (lie country opened for settlement. He might mention that they were not aware that the lanu would be dealt with 60 soon, or they would have made their application, before.

The Chief Cojijiissioxeii (Mr J. P. Maitland; said the board would be glad to hear the views of any of the gentlemen who formed the deputation. Mr Kidi> said he had been looking "forward to the lease of run 121 falliug hi for a long time, nnd he wa» quite prepared to take up a portion of the run for settlement. He had got a large family, and wanted to get them settled on the land.

Mr Cajil'Urli, said that he was also prepared to take up ii Bmall run. The Bize would depend spou the quality of the ground ; but he thought a holding of from 2000 to 5000 acres would be sufficient for one

Mr Duncan asked if he thought a man could bring up a family on 2000 acres of land on the runs in question.

Mr Campbell replied that if a man could make a living on 200 acres, he could surely do so on 2000 acres. He also stated, in reply to a question by Mr Duncan, that he thought the land would run two sheep to three acres.

Mr Kemp stated that he hud a large grown up family, and lie wished to take up some land for them.

Mr Ross informed the board that ho thought from 2000 to 5000 acres would be sufficient for one holding, according to the quality of the land. The lßud would grow oats and. turnips well, and would carry two sheep to the three acre*. He carried more stock than that, and he had a holding adjoining ruu 109. The Ohiuf Commissioner intimated that the board would let the deputation, know what decision they arrived at with regard to the matter later on. The deputation then thaukcd the board and withdrew. The following iB the peLition forwarded to the board by the deputation: - " To the members ot the Otago Waste Land Board, " Gentlemen,—We, the uadersigned 6ettlerß and residents in the Shag Valley and surrounding districts, beg most respectfully to bring under your notice the advisability of withdrawing from sale (as now proposed to be sold) rums 321, 121 a, 121b, and 121 c, known as the Sfconebiiru run, with a view-of uai'ing the same dealt with under the small grazing run system, and that runs 109aand 109b, thaleasi ot which will soon expire in the same locality, should also be dealt with in the same way. The whole of this country, lying as it does between Shag Valley and Palmerston on the one side, Nenthorn and ■Macraes on the other, is well adapted for small grazing runs and is easy of access, and in every respect na well adapted for settlement under that system as rim 210, which has been so successfully I dealt with under the small grazing run system, and we feel sure if dealt with as we desire it will be all taken up for settlement."

After some consideration of the matter the board resolved that it be recommended to the Government for their favourable consideration, as the statements in the petition as to the suitability of the land for small grazing nins wero, in tho opinion of tho board, borne out by the character of the country. The board was nob aware when dealing with the runs that such a strong demand existed for opening them for settlement.