LEASING NATIVE LANDS.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 4, 13 July 1894, Page 2

LEASING NATIVE LANDS.

We would call the attention of the Public Trustee to what we consider is a mistake in dealing with native lands, that is, putting the land up for tender in the depth of winter. When the roads are in the state We find them at present there is very little encouragement to any one to take up land once they come and sea the difficulties they have to go through to get to it. If the price were not fixed, as far as selectors were concerned, it would possibly be a benefit to intending tenderers, as, even with spirited competition, there is every probability that the present state of the roads would preveut them tendering up to present reserves; but as the upset is put ou the land, and if that amount is not tendered they are simply withdrawn, it only causes delay in settlement. We understand it is the intention of the Trustee to have the roads felled through bush lands one chain wide and the roads stamped and formed twelve feet wide. If this is done it will be a great incentive to settlement and cause the land to be taken up much more freely. The land between Taungatara and Opunake, we believe, is ready as far as survey is concerned, and there is a great demand for land for dairying at the present time. These lands are mostly open flax lauds and would be taken up at once if placed in the market. There are a great number of enquiries for such properties in this district, but owing to the delay in putting them in the market intending settlers are compelled to go elsewhere. We hope to see immediate steps taken to have these open lands put up for tender at an early date, and to see settlers commencing operations during the coming dairy season.