FARMING THE FARMERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8861, 19 July 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

FARMING THE FARMERS.

TO THE EDITOK.

Sib, —In March last five persons made application to the warden for 50 acres each for agricultural purposes on run 223 a, under the 60th clause of the Mines Act, and on the 9th inst. they were finally dealt with. The ruuho'der, Mr Laidlaw (manager for Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co.) objeoted, on the ground that it would seriously interfere with the working of the run. Mr Laidlaw gave evidence to that effect, and also stated that the land applied for was some of the best laud on tho run, and that ib was si&uated three miles from settlement; that three of the applicants adjoined his preemptive right fence, the whole length of the south fence. One of his shepherds also gave evidence to the like effect, and the Crown lands rsnger reported that it was excellent agricultural land, and considered if granted it would interfere with the working of the rira, but not seriously. The warden said in the face of such evidence he must refuse to make a grant. Now, from the fact that this land adjoins the preemptive right, trad the pre-emptive right adjoins block 111, Lander, is po3Sib!y cannot be three miles from settlement, ss given in evidence by Me Laidlaw; neither is it one mile from settlement ; neither can it in any way interfere with the working of the run. But all this is not the real objection by the runhqlder. Had those parties, instead ol! applying to the warden under the Mines Act, applied to the runholder.l have no daubt he would have rented to esch of them 50 acres, or any other area, for a consideration (but object to the Government getting the considoration), just in the same way they are doing with others. They have rented to one man about 400 acres, within two miles of the land in question, EDd the party has feßced, subdivided, and cropped it. So you will psrceivu that Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. stop in and find land for settlement where the .Government neglects or refuses to do so. Something of the same sort was done in the Tiviot district lately by the same firm. Yet we find the Minister of Lands taking credit to himself for doing more to open up the land 3 for settlement than any of hi.-, predecassors, and boasting that they have 20,000,000 acres yet to dispose of, to say nothing about what they are going to purchase from tie Natives, and yet we cannot get an acre for love or money, only what we can get from runholders. Thi3 is a otp.te of things that should not bs allowed to exist. I would suggest to the Government that they Bhould get the 60th clause of tho Mines Act cancelled at puca, as it is almost a dend letter. Neither is it fair to the wardens to h?wo to refuse l&nitobonafidc applicaste. There is ous thing certain, no one would apply under tho Mines Act if there was land open for settlement under the Land Act.—l am, &c, Ophir, July 12. John Cole Chappie.