UNOCCUPIED FARMS IN ENGLAND AND WALES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 9

UNOCCUPIED FARMS IN ENGLAND AND WALES.

Much has been said and written of late in rpfereuce to the extensive areas in Euglaud and Wales in the hands of landlords because of the difficulty of securing tenants, owing to the depressed prices of agricultural produce. A return moved for in the late session of the Imperial Parliament discloses the somewhat unexpected fact that whereas in 1881, when a, similar inquiry was made, there were 40,8-18; acres lying wa>te there on toe -Ifch of June, in* 1887 at corresponding date there were only 22,315 acres, distributed over 22<l farms. Thoexplanation suggested by many of the collectors is that in 1881 laudlords were nob prepared to admit the greet permanent fail in thu value of land, whereas further experience has induced them to accept almost auythtng, especially fosvery strong land, which it is reported in sosaecases has been occupied without rent, i he tenant, merely paying tithes and taxes. On the other hand, in the North Midland counties there hasbeen during the past two years a bri-skor demand experienced, especially for farms of moderate extent. It appears difficult to account for this, otherwise than that the extreme cheapuess off produce made entry a comparatively easy process, and probably the idea prevails that thelowest point has been reached.

At th,e Bay of Islacds Coal Company's annual meeting, the report stated that sales for the pa*t half-year were 17,196 tons. The credit balance was £2095 14s Id. A dividend at the rate of G per cent, per annum was declared. -•'•

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