THE LAND BOARD AND CLIFTON SETTLEMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17426, 21 September 1918, Page 8

THE LAND BOARD AND CLIFTON SETTLEMENT.

TO THI EDITOB. > Sib, —Further to your report of the discussion of the Otago Land Board at its meeting on the 11th inst., with reference to the above settlement, I would like to state a few facts. In addressing the boaxd, fee Commissioner (Mr Sadd) made reference to the valuing of Clifton by a gentleman of high repute and with longstanding knowledge of the locality, whose valuation exceeded the price paid by the Government. With all due respect to Mr Sadd's valuer, it does not argue well for him that five farmers, four of whom have lived alongside Clifton for 14 years and more, value the settlement at an outside value of £8 per acre—five reputable farmers against one reputable valuer! Mr Sadd further stated that none of the adjoining owners on any side would take from £8 to £8 10s for their land. Does he wish tliis to be taken as a serious statement? You will be well aware of the fact that the adjoining farms are all highly improved. are in a productive state of cultivation, securely fenced and subdivided, and all_ havo the necessary plantations and buildings on them. To bring Clifton on a par with them add £3 or £9 per acre on a 250-a ere section, raisinsr the value, on the present basis, to £18 or £20 per acre. This may interest him: One of Mr Smith's so-called agitators, whose farm, adjoining Clifton, is in a high state of cultivation and well improved, with stable accommodation for eight 'horses, barn, sheep and implement sheds, and fences the best of any farm around, would to-morrow, or within reasonable time, take £8 10s net per acre for it. The Comnvssioner stated that the settler had not notified the board when he wished to purchase ewes at 28s. The settler in question stated he did. One statement against the other; but what I do know is that he had to purchase an inferior lino at 32s _6d . through the delay caused by his having-to write to the board for every little thinsr required. The board's ranger is not promptly on the spot to pass purchased stock, as stated, and if thoJ Commissioner further implies that he has been, then the writer can only surmise that the statements made at the board's meeting were onlv intended to gull the public. With reference to the manner in which settlers have been suited with fencing wire, I know of one settler who was advised to wait until the Government landed some from America. At the time the merchants were soiling No. 8 galvanised at 42s per hundredweight, and when the settler had waited a'oout eight months for the promised cheap article he got black wire dumped on him at 465. Good business— not what the settler would do, but- what it is laid out by the powers that he shall do! Mr Smith's statement that the settlers are led by agitators has not gone down with the people of the Clutha district, who know differently. The two bodies which are assisting the settlers are the Clutha branch of the Farmers' Union and the Clutha District Returned Soldiers' Association. This latter body invited Messrs Jas. Cockburn, .T. Barclay, D. Morgan, O. Throp, and t! Soper to advise them. If the time and help given by these gentlemen only entitles them to be branded "agitators," their assistance to the returned soldiers, even generallv, should cease, unless the Commissioner responsible for the remark withdraws it at tho next meeting of the Land Board, and sees that the press notes the withdrawal. For Mr Inder's benefit. I may say it was not an agent who advised the sale; moreover, were it not for the agents, the Government policv would be unworkable. As to the board's resolution carried after the discussion, one would not expect this sort of contempt from a body that holds the responsibility of our land administration, but rather from a board of dictators. In conclusion, I am pleased that the Returned Soldiers' Association here has adopted a proper stand by ignoring tho report of the Land Board, being content to carry the matter to the proper quarters, which are far and above the Otago Land' Board. The fact that the board took up the matter from a newspaper report only goes to show that the cap fitted, and the made, apart from those thot. were abusive, only emphasise the existence of the grievances, and show that the board is onlv anxious to make its own face goo'l. earinsr little whether wild statements may cause the alienation of well-meaning farmers from nssi-rting returned men at any time. —I am, etc., Value fob Vakte. BaJclntha, September 17.