HOW LEASEHOLD EVIDENCE IS OBTAINED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 15

HOW LEASEHOLD EVIDENCE IS OBTAINED.

(Bt Ouk Special Reporter.)

_ TIMARU, April 5. _.The Land Commission drove round two village settlements and visited the Smithfield Freezing Works this morning. At 1 p.m. the commission met to take evidence.

Bernard E. H. Tripp, manager for the executors of the late Mr Tripp, Orari Gorge Station, handed in a petition to the commissioners regarding pastoral runs. The petition pointed out that the tenures were too short, and that no adequate valuation ■was given for improvements. Because of "this the lands had gone back in pasture, lessees would not sow grass, and towards the^ end of their leases they took all they could out of the runs, because they ran the risk of not getting their leases renewed. The present system of tenure was, therefore, clearly a bad one for the State. The petitioners suggested that all pastoral tenants whose leases have not expired by January 1, 1906, -should have the option to renew -for 14- or 21 years fronrthat date, at a rental to be fixed by arbitration. It was also suggested that certain provisions should be inserted in the lease in regard to valuation for improvements should the lease not be renewed ,or the land be required for closer settlement. "Witness said surface--sowing bad been tried by his father with success. He had, however, discontinued this, as, owing, to the insecurity of tenure and the fact that he could not get condensation for improvements, the chances were that ho might be grassing the land for the benefit of someone else. Mr, Tripp said the pastoral tenants did not wish to block the Government if the land was required for closer settlement. What they wanted was simply valuation for improvements made in the event of the leases going from them. A lot of the runs had been ruined through the taking away of the low country from them years ago. In regard to regrassing runs, he thought only the best seed should be used. It would be a good idea for the Government to experiment with native and other grasses on some of its unoccupied high country. Henry Knight, a carpenter, who occupied a quarter-acre section on leasehold, said he thought" all land should be -freehold. There should be a rise of Id in the pound tax on all land without exemption. The leasehold system had not benefited the masses at all. He had tried to get land by ballot, and •had failed Many others had done the same.

Michael Joseph Corrigan, a lease-in-per-petuity holder on Waikakahi, said he would like the option of -acquiring the freehold of his land. . The freehold would be better for the tenants and better for the State. He ■would like to pay off the- capital value in instalments. He had never met a Crown tenant "who* was really satisfied to be paying rent for ever, and if Sir John M'Kenzie •were aljiye now he would see the-fallaoy of the lease in perpetuity. So long as the State lost nothing by the transaction there could be jio harm in allowing the tenant to acquire the freehold at the original value. The leasehold was all right as a steppingstone to the freehold. He was afraid of , revaluation. During Mr M'Lennan's cross-examination of this witness an interesting sidelight on the manner in which evidence is secured was shown.

Witness- said the Crown tenants would really all be asking for the freehold but for the threats that had been made. He mentioned a meeting at Windsor, at which Mr M'Lennan himself had proposed a resolution favouring the leasehold. That meeting had been convened by Mt Livingstone.

Mr M'Lennan interrupted witness. He said he had no right to give names. Witness continued that althouerh the Crown tenants had not actually asked 'for the freehold, the great majority were in favour of it. That meeting, was attended by 41 Crown tenants, and they carried a resolution in favour of the " leasehold, but the chairman of that meeting summed jtfp the position when he said, in opening, that they were all freeholders at heart. That sentiment was cheered by those present. The Crown tenants there wanted the freehold, but were frightened to a-sk for it. because of a threat made by the Minister of Lands in Hansard about revaluation and ■nn+t.ing their sections up to atiction. Mr M'Xennan knew as w>ll as he (witness) that that resolution was only passed through fear. Indeed, when th* 1 chairman of the meeting said they were all freeholders at heart, the convener of the meeting said: "Now the -chairman has hit the nail on the head," and those present cheered.

Mr Paul cross-examined the witness on this matter, but failed in any way to shake Iris testimony.