Bushy Park Estate. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 14

Bushy Park Estate. TO THE EDITOR.

Sin,— l am glad this affair is causing public comment. It certainly wants thoroughly clearing up. "One of the People" has partially voiced what was extensively felt in the di*trict when the thin end of the wedge which has culminated in this strange purchase was applied.

LbC me briefly recall what occurred. First, the estate was being excellently managed by a man who was evidently not of the right colour. Then an offer was made for the .place of £25 000 — half oash, half on terms, stock, &c,, at valuation, — but the board wanted £30,000. Then came the dismissal of tbat mauager, and his place being filled for a few weeks by a man named Grant. Following upon this, as had been widely rumoured in the district beforehand, Mr M'Kenzie's son is installed as manager, though what superior qualifications he possessed over the former manager no oue knows. Now comes the sale to the sons of the very man who has preacned more than any oue else about the criminality of allowing any one man or ring to own too many acres. Lastly, there are the usual Seddonian explanations of the Premier, as worthless as most of his apologies have been proved to be. Why, the place was eminently suited for being split up into smaller blocks. Most of it, from the river paddocka to the top ones by Ross's place from the sea coast to Muir's road, is not only arable but has been cropped. There is an excellent orchard, and the house and appurtenances, the stables, byre, tjheds, wells, stock jard, &c, are worth about £2000. I was reminded some 12 months ago by one who was then an M.H.R. but now ii not, when speaking my mind to him about the gross nepotism that was baing carried on, " We must remember our fiiends in things," and I have often thought of his naive Qiudour.— l am, &c, January 2& Pbobitx.