WAIKAWA VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 30

WAIKAWA VALLEY.

• April 17. — Until nearly a fortnight ago we iad really grand harvest weather, but on Tuesday, 4th inst., a slight rain began, putting a Btop to all carting in, and since then the •weather has been showery and cold, with occasional downpour's of rain. In fact, it has been about as unpleasant as one would expect it ,to be even in the middle of winter. There is still a good deal of the oat crop in the stook, though some of the more fortunate ones managed tc get the whole of their crop in the stack, and some- well thatched, but these are in the minority.

Land for Selection. — There does not appear to be any likelihood of the surrendered and forfeited sections being reopened for selection anywhere near the time mentioned by the Lands department in the notices issued to the parties surrendering— rviz.» the 21st March nest. As far as I can leacn, they have not yet been notified in the Gazette. From inquiries made, I believe that almost the whole of the land foi miles round about will be offered for application, at, in some cases, half the original upset, in some cases even less, and us the valuation for some of the improvements has been made very low, there should be some very cheap farms to be had. I believe there are a few who would not be very much grieved if another tenant should come in and take over their homes even at the very-much reduced rate, but these are certainly in the minority, and are those who object to the moist climate of Southland. Others, again, will consider it a great hardship if an outsider should mako application for their holdings, as in that case the original tenants will" not be allowed- to have even an equal chance with the new 'applicant, as they will not be allowed to go to the ballot, and will consequently lose their homes, with a considerable amount of their hard work for years. "Contrast the treatment meted but to these settlers by the "great Liberal Government " with the relief given by the Tory or Conservative Government some years, ago to those placed in a similar position. In the case of the present administration, the powers that be admit that the rent previously paid in some cases for eight or ten years is twice the amount the land is, or was, ..worth. They do not, Ott the strength of this, say, "We shall reduce the rent to the present holders, and count the rent .already paid in excess of its value as rent in advance," as was done by the '" Conservatives," but they do say, "" Pay up all your arrears, hand over your lease with the fees for surrender, and £ake a second chance with till the rest of the general public, when your homes are open for public application or selection. But, remembel^ if anyone 'else wants your holding you will not get it at any price." Such is the mandate of the Lands department, but what more can we expect? The electors sent a large freehold proprietor to Parliament, who publicly expressed himself to the effect that the State should not part with the fee simple of any more land ; and, further, is reported to have said some time back at a public meeting *in' this dictrict that the laud here had- been disposed of, or rather leased, too. cheap. This, I suppose, must have been on an ■occasion when the woollen clothing of the sheep ■was not quite sufficient to cover the hairy coat of the wolf.

Police Protection. — Several months ago, I understand, the three local justices of the peace, Messrs Trumble, Brunton, and Turner, petitioned Mr Tunbridge, commissioner of police, to appoint a district constable foi Waikawa and surrounding districts. Mr Paidy came down for the purpose of reporting on the application, and it was understood that, he was favourably disposed towards recommending that the application be granted. Nothing further was heard about the matter, until a very strong supporter of the sitting member "was heard to boast that he had written to the membei for the district, with the result that he (the member) had crushed the application, or, to use the hon. gentleman's .own words, had " put his. foot on it." The next tiling is that a letter, is received from "Wellington to fhe effect that a petition 'has been received there, bearing 50 signatures, praying that no constable be appointed. A Wail^awa settler, who had very grave doubts nbout -the genuine character of this petition, started another one praying the Minister for Justice to grant the request of the. .local J.P.s, and, I understand, he has obtained very closely on 100 signatures" to this counter petition, while at the same time he says he has only met two or three who know anything about the first petition. I wonder if the same gentleman presented or sent 'on this petition who professed to be so much concerned that every (signature" appended to the petition praying for "a xevaluation of land should be" absolutely in the- person's own handwriting. | Of course I cannot say, but it does seem a little strange that .such a large number of the respectable residents should never have heard of the first petition.

—On the roof of a brewery, at Maidstone is to be seen one of the most remarkable vanes in .England. _ It represents an old brown jug and glass. The jug, which is made of copper, stands 3ft 6in in height and in 3ft in diameter, and is capable of holding 108 gallons. The glass; also of copper, has a, holding capacity of eight gallons.