THE PATEAROA RUN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12565, 20 January 1903, Page 3

THE PATEAROA RUN.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—There is great uneasiness and anxiety among the people of Central Otago, and especially Maniototo, regarding the future of this large property—some 50,000 acres,—the lease of which is about to expire. Petitions have been signed aud forwarded to Wellington by numbers of persons who are anxious to make homes for themselves on the estate; but from what one can gather, the Otago Commissioner of Lands and also some members of the Land Board are not favourable to the whole property being open for settlement. Now, who are the best judges of whether the land is suitable or not? Surely it is those who know the country. And there are hosts who say it is good enough for them and their families. Still, one can clearly see that the Otago advisers of the Minister Of La'hds arc very conservative in these matters, and the settlers greatly fear that powerful influences will cause this fino property, or at least the bulk of it, to be locked up again for another 21 years, The present occupier naturally wishes] to again obtain it, and one hears that ho is very closely in company with Ministers when tliey visit Otago; but it i 6 to be hoped that the Land Board and the Government will open the whole estate. There can be no doubt about the wholo property being required—and urgently, too, —and surely it is better to have 20 or 30 settlers on H, or working it partly in conjunction with their low lands, than for it to have only one or two shepherds on it as at present. The people of Maniototo havo reason to complain bitterly of the way they were treated lately, when tliey were supposed to be consulted by the residents who wanted the run opened up. No sufficient notice was given to let tho intending settlers meet tho commissioner and his colleagues, and those present were few compared with the number who would havo attended had decent notice been given. And last year, when the Hon. Mr Duncan took a distant glance at the property, he was gono before tho people knew about it, Mr Seddon, according to the newspapers, is going to stir up things and settle tho country. Surely he is not going to leave Otago out of this desirable programme 1 It is to be hoped that the people who are interested in seeing returned troopers and sons of settlers taking up land will make inquiries in Otago Central and learn what a keen demand exists for the Patearoa run.— I am, otc., January 15. Settle the Land.