WAIKAKA SLUDGE CHANNEL QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 20

WAIKAKA SLUDGE CHANNEL QUESTION.

TO THi: EDITOB. SiH, — Since I last wrote on this subject matters seem to have advanced a little — the Premier has been interviewed, and there are some slight indications of the subject having at last received some consideration from the Ministry. The Premier was careful not to commit himself, but what he did say goes to justify the warnings which your correspondent " A Waikaka Farmer " and myself gave the farmers. It now appears that the Gore resident who has been so active in stirring up the farmers to block the channel by putting in huge claims for compensation is to be bought off by the Government, ■whilst the farmers aie to be left to the tender mercies of the law. This is precisely what I pointed out as the probable result, and the farmers cannot help seeing that I was right when I pointed out that there was no community of interest between them and the gentleman in Gore. The man who is believed to have no legpl claim' in the event of the sludge channel being proclaimed is to be bought off before the proclamation, whilst the farmers, if "they cfon't behave themselves, are to have thenlands taken from them. I cannot pretend to have much sympathy with men who are obviously trying to get compensation for supposed injury to their laud, when all the time they aie

simply waiting for the sludge channel, to dispose of it at a high figure for gold mining. But I do protest against the country paying compensation to a man who would not be legally entitled to it. The farmers, I think, are going to get qu^te as much as they deserve, but the other is going to get a good deal more. The farmers aie apt to suppose that when their land is taken they will get full compensation, and so they shall, but only for the agricultural value of theii land. I know that many of them believe that because they have the freehold of their land they are entitled to the gold contained in it. There could be no greater delusion, as they are likely to find out to their co=t. The gold belongs to the Crown, and the Crown may resume the land on payment meiely of the agricultural value. The farmers of Waikaka will find that the honest raid straight and honourable course is the best, and the man who is trying to get compensation, and at the same time reap the advantage of the sludge cnamiel, is not taking the honouiable course. I know that many of the farmers have done the correct thing, and intimated to the Government that they make no claim becaiise their land is auri- ■ ferous. These men run no nsk of having their land resumed, but the others certainly do, and none but those who aie playing the same game will sympathise with them ii they overreach themselves. —l am, etc., Kaka.