EVIDENCE AT TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 17

EVIDENCE AT TAPANUI.

VISIT TO THE NURSERY.

On Friday tha members of the Land Commission wero up at an early hour to pay a visit to the Tapanui tree nursery, situate about a mile from the township. Mr Robertson, manager, showed the party over the grounds, which are 120 acres in extent. The oak, ash, sycamore, birch, various pines, and other timber trefls are grown extensively, and, under careful management, are doing well. Operations, which have been carried on for seven years, are being greatly extended. There are plantations at Dusky Hill (900 acres) and Conical Hills (1000 acres). _ A sitting was held at the courthouse, Tapanui, at 10 o'clock. Watson Shennan, sheep-farmer, said he had about 13,500 acres freehold at Conical Hills, and leased 36,000 acrea at Puketoi, Maniototo Plains. The lease had 15 years to ru-n. His wife held 22,000 acres in 'addition to witness's holding. There were 17,000 sheep on the whole run. He was satisfied with the constitution of the Land Boards. He supported the old deferredpayment system, which gave the fre&hold. In regard to pastoral land, he suggested that the leases should be for 21 years, with revaluation for improvements. Surfacopown grass at Puketoi grew in tussocks ; it would not sward unless irrigated. In many cases the native pasture was preferable to the artificial. He had sown rvegrass and clover. The land was too dry for cocksfoot.

The Chairman : We have been toUl that Puketoi would cut up into smali runs? — Yes. I think the people are beginning to shake their heads, and say that there was some irregularity between myself and the late Minister of Lands with regard to the run, and I would be pleased to give any 'information I can.

I do not think anything of that sort was hinted at? — Some questions have* been asked that point to something of the kiiKL. It was said that the run was let for 21 years when the people wanted it cut up? — I think I am justified in saying that the petition that was spoken of never reached the Land Board or the Minister of Lands. A petition signed by 4-00 persons went tip last year. I ccc that the number of signatures has since grown into 800.

Witness produced a map of the Puketoi run, and showed photographs of sheep imported by himself and his brother in 1861. and of the sheep as they are to be found on the run to-day.

In answer to further questions, witness said that the run would cut up, but it would be very expensive to fence. The rental for the 58,000 acres was £1350 per annum. He shore 17,000 sheep, the average clip being a little over 81b.

Witness further stated that at previous meetings of the commission questions had been asked as to how he had been able to secure another lease of the run. He felt that that was a reflection on himself and the late Sir John M'Kenzie. He had never said a word to the. Minister or to the Land Board to influence them in any way. He had not said a word to them about not opening tho. run to the public. He believed that in giving him another tenure tho authorities wore influenced by tho knowledge that tho flock on the run was a useful oiip to tho country. The lato Pir John M'Ken7i'e said to him at ono friirif: " You have been a good tenant of the Crown. Much of tho land in tho interior has gone to the bad. Your land has been attended to, and your gia^s has not perished "' Everything in connection with the ie '-^a^'tig of the run had b-cen done fair and above-boa: d, and he was sati^fiod that there was no corruption in any shspe or form.

In reply to questions, witness said thai he lost sheep in the snowstorm of 1903, and the loss would have been heavier if preparations had not been made for a bad year. The question was, Would it be more profitable to th© State to cut up the estatethan to leas© it as a run? He maintained that the country could no* very well do without th© Puketoi run. For on© thing, there were 400 or 500 merino rams sold off the run every year. These sheep were wanted, and, the people knew where to find them.

James Sim. a retired farmer, said he started on the deferred-payment system, under which he made his land freehold. There was never a better system than the deferred payment. He did not think much of the lease in perpetuity. It gave away, in a manner, the people's land for nothing. What would be the value of that land in 100 years, let alono 999 years hence? He represented the Tapanui branch of the Farmers' Union. Tho freehold system wa3 in favour in that district. Ho objected to the ballot system. Most of the people in the district had bought their land at auction, and there had been no fictitious prices given for the land. He believed in both the Land Board and the School Commissioners being nominated. George Hepburn Stewart, farmer, Crookston, representing the Crookston branch of the Farmers' Union, supported the freehold system of tenure. It would be better for themselves and for the State if they had the option of the freehold. Rob&rt Wcod, farmer and runholder, Beaumont, narrated his experiences in surfacesowing, and spoke of the noxious weeds in the district. In regard to the latter matter, he said that if tho act was enforced no man would b© able to hold his run. Lessees ought to get compensation for surface sowing. They should have liberty to cultivate for winter feed. He supported the lease-in-perpetuity system. The commission left Tapanui at midday for Lawrence.