The Earnscleugh Run.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 16

The Earnscleugh Run.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir, — In answer to a letter received from the Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, dated November 14, re Earnseleugh i land for settlement, we have sent the following: — To the Hon. Minister of Lands. Sir, — In reply to your letter of 14th November", -I cannot see why there should be any ■ difficulty in granting this land asked for, as it _is most suitable, and can in no way interfere i ■with, the 'working of the run, being such a small portion thereof. On the flat itself there is no land at all suitable for settlement; that is, close to the Molyneux River, being nothing but shingle to the surface close up to the freehold. There are plenty other places *n the run, but for the want of water they are not suitable for settlement unless reservoirs and races are constructed. The reason that this land is asked for is ! because it has a never-failing water supply. { First, The -Fraser River runs bank-high in the ' spring and most of the summer months. Second, The Freehold land has a right to three heads of water out of the Fraser River prior to any othei right for -mining or otherwise. Then there is a second right of three heads of later date, and a still later right qf another three heads, making nine heads in all. If we cannot get all the freehold, we would respectfully suggest that the land on the north side of the homestead block be granted, including, all Crown land and freehold on the west .side of the Fraser River that is suitable for 'settlement. . Then divide the water rights, so that the land for settlement gets a fan- share of each water' right. ' ' New races can be (obtained) constructed from Fraser River, which s is only a few yards from the land, aft a mere rioniinal cost. This is the only block of land in tKis district that can be supplied with water and opened for successful settlement. A. C. Iversen, Chairman of Land Committee.