THE CHEVIOT SETTLERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2151, 16 May 1895, Page 4

THE CHEVIOT SETTLERS.

A REDUCTION IN RENT DEMANDED. CnRiSTcmjKCH, May 11. A meeting of 25 settlers was held at the Cheviot last night to consider what steps should be taken to obbivin reductions in the rent now paid. The chairman said they had just ground for asking for a concession of rents, and the Government must recognise it, though they had not admitted it. It was impossible for the settlers to carry on with the present price of produce, and it would be hard if, after spendiug their capital on improvements, they should ba turned out to make room for others. Another speaker said the wool they had obtained per sheep had not paid for the sheep, let alone the reut. A resolution' was carried that a commttee be formed to draw up a Beries of resolutions, including a proposal that the Government be asked to remit the uexfc half-yiar's rent. Mr D. Brick spoke at length against any attempt to censure the Government or injure them in the eyes of the country. He moved in t fleet that it was premature to arrive at any decision until they hid ascertained what the G jvernment intended to do as regards the next half-year's rent, and to find out whether they would give part of the £50,000 spent last year when the unemployed were foisted on them, or : supplement sfc with £SQ.QOQ more to finuth the

roacte in the county. The amendment was pat and lost, and the original motion carried with* out dissont.