ABUNDANCE OF AVAILABLE LAND IN OTAGO AT 10s. PER ACRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 302, 12 September 1857, Page 5

ABUNDANCE OF AVAILABLE LAND IN OTAGO AT 10s. PER ACRE.

We extract the following paragraph from the " Lyttelton Times" for the purpose of putting the editor of that journal right as to matters of fact relating to this Province, with which he appears unacquainted. The paragraph in question states :—: — " The sales of land are still going on as fast as ever. We like to chronicle from time to time the amounts received on this account, as being a conclusive answer to objections against the high price system, as far as regards Canterbury. Upwards of £2000 have been received this month for blocks of land ranging from 20 to 50 acres. In no other province is arable land obtainable so cheap by the bona fide agriculturist ; for where the so-called cheap price has prevailed, all the available land has been bought up by large speculators, who make their profit out of it at the expense of labouring men. The healthy state of our finance and the security of our land system tells well in contrast to the neighbouring provinces, Nelson and Otago." Rather sweeping assertions, certainly. We are not going to quarrel with the Land Regulations of Canterbury. Our neighbours may do as they like, but we must protest, as far as Otago is concerned, against the statement that all the available land has been bought up by large speculators. We have, of available agricultural land unsold, and to be sold at 10s. -per acre, an extent which throws the available lands of Canterbury, extensive as they are, entirely into the shade. We may affirm, without fear of contradiction, that land speculation is almost unknown amongst us ; and that so far from the bona fide agriculturist having to purchase land at an enhanced price from the speculator, we challenge competition with any Province of New Zealand in this matter. We are pretty certain that no other Province could shew SO JLA.RGE A NUMBER OF FREEHOLDERS in proportion to the population as can be found in the Province of Otago, and nearly all of whom have purchased their land direct from the Government. In fact, in Otago the Cheap Zandi System has worked admirably, as, by affording the agriculturists land at 10s. per acre, they have thereby had a larger amount of capital to lay out in stock and improvements ; and further, by our Land Regulations the Small Farmers are enabled to keep a considerable quantity of Stock upon the land reserved as commonage, so that Otago presents to the Small Capitalists advantages which he possesses in no other Province of New Zealand !