The High Schools Board's Tenants. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 17 July 1890, Page 5

The High Schools Board's Tenants. TO THE EDITOR.

Sin,— Your correspondents do not Beem to know the circumstances of the Strath-Taieri settlers. Allqw me to enlighten them. I took up my land at auction from the board when land was high, on a system of deferred payments extending over seven years. The price for 160 acres was the upset £5, per acre, and for other 38 acres £8 Ids per acre, the npaet off which was £6. One reason why the high priceswere obtained was the board, through their auctioneer, stated " they were in possession of information" which left no donbt the Otago> Central would be running in less than two years. This statement was. m*fc se. yen years, ago, and.

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no railway yet. The land is practically shut out from a market without the railway. lam almost surrounded by perpetual lessees. The board has allowed tho rents of these lessees to be reduced— in many cases more than half. Although I have paid half my purchase money, the interest I now have to pay on the other half is more than my Deighboue'a rent. I applied to the board to allow me to change my tenure to that of perpetual lease from the commencement of my occupation, the board to take rent from the money I have paid, and let the balance stand to my credit, without interest. This would have put me nearly on a footing with my neighbours, but the board declined.

They, however, generously offered to reduce my interest from 6 to 4 per cent, for one year if I paid up arrears. To give an example of the effect the reduction to perpetual lessees has, take the following :— One settler close to me was paying 8s per acre rent, aud is reduced to Si. He can now buy out hia land freehold for £3 ; whilst I, who have paid £4 5s on £8 10s, and interest besides, still require to pay £4 59 more. I* this justice ? 1 f so, it is a sort peculiar to the board. The settlers should bestir themselves, and apply to Parliament to grant them tho justice the board refuse?. Hoping you will use your influence to assist us, — I am, &c, jiilv 7. Edavabd Clark.