Land Settl mem in tago Central. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2630, 10 August 1904, Page 81

Land Settl mem in tago Central. TO THE EDITOR.

Sik,— l have read a letter in the Otago Witness under the heading of "Land Hunger in Central Otago," and written by "Fairplay," who says that most of the stations here have long leases to run, and there is no chance of getting land until the leases fall in. This may be right; but he also says there have been several applications on the Ida Valley Run for land within the last 12 months, and ail have been declined but one. Now, there has only been one application before the board to my knowledge for the last 12 months. The others only were notice oi intending applications. Then. "Fairplay" asserts that the granting of this application would interfere with the cutting up of the land for future settlement. If such is the case, it does not take much to interfere with cutting up the land, as there is a considerable amount of low country around where this application is made. The- application is for about 300 acres, and the run ia about 70,000 acres, so if the granting of such an application interferes with the ciitting up of land it does not take much to do so to some people's idea. "Fairplay" also says the applicants obtained the sanction of the lessee.. Now, that has nothing to do with me, ana I don't think it has anything to do with "Fairplay." If this land was to go to the ballot I suppose it would be most likely like some land not far from where the application is made — an odd one here and there now and then residing on it, and, as far as cultivating the land goes, it might nearly as well be held by the station. If the application referred to is granted to the applicants people who know them will agree with me in saying they will cultivate the land and improve it, as their present holding now shows signs of good farming. In conclusion, I think if "Fairplay" took a broader view of things than he apparently does, it would look better in the interests of his fuends in Central Otago, because his chance at th,? ballot is like mme — veiy small. — I am, etc., Reader of the Witness. Ida Valley, August 1.