EVIDENCE AT FAIRLIE.

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

EVIDENCE AT FAIRLIE.

FAIRLIE, April 6.

The Land Commission drove to-day from • Fairlie, through Portion of the Mackenzie Country, to Te Kapo and back, a distance of 54 miles in all. The Meckenzie Country was looking remarkably well, better than I have ever seen it on occasional visits during the past 15 years, there being an abundance iof grass, both on the low and also on the —high country. On the return journey a halt was made at Burkes Pass, and the follow-

in s evidence taken

Robert Guthrie, holder of a grazing run 'on pastoral lease, and of a small freehold, said' that he was well satisfied with his ' tenure. He had had 30 years' experience in the district. He thought the natural pastures were improving. Any deterioration had been due to injudicious burning. If the holdings were smaller a great improvement could be effected by surface-sowing. No systematic efforts had yet been made in that direction. On the Crown runs the large

holdings could be subdivided in a satisfac-toi-y manner, and the closer working that ' would result would more than meet the cost of fencing. The minimum size in the back country should be sufficient to carry 6QOO ' sheep. He did not think it advisable to put. the plough into the high lands, but be thought that TimotEy, white clover, and cocksfoot might be surface-sown in the .valleys .with success. The settlers generally •were desirous of seeing the runs subdivided, though they did not wish to interfere with itlfe existing lease, which would expire in about six years. He did not think that there was any n-eed for the to buy out freeholders in order to provide winter country for the back runs. The Mackenzie Country runs generally were understocked because the hiah price of

sheep made it unprofitable to risk losing any number. There would be a large demand for the subdivided runs, provided that some security of tenure for a considerable term were given and valuation was allowed at the termination of the lease for increased carrying capacity. Land Boards should be elected on the "parliamentary franchise, boroughs excluded, and should represent smaller districts.

John Macgregor, holder of a small grazing

run, did not think it would be advisable to subdivide the Crown runs except very gradually, and he considered that it would be very difficult to value any improvement due

to surface-sowing. The seed would not take except in the valleys and on the damp faces. He would not approve of the granting of the option to purchase the freehold of Crown holdings, as, unless the freehold were under the same restrictions as the leaseholds, the only result would be the aggregation of large estates.

George Hamilton, holder of 46,000 acres of Crown grazing run on 21 years' lease, and 900 acres of freehold, said that he had surface-sown some 200 acres. The low-lying lajid and gullies had been decidedly improved, but the seed had not taken to any extent on the dry spurs. Probably about 10 per cent, of his holding could be surfacesown to advantage. He had signed the document presented to the commission on the previous day asking for reasonable security of tenure and valuation for actual improvements. The tenant would not spend large sums of money on a run if it was to be put up at auction at, the end of 21 years, and he should have the option of renewal, the rent to be fixed by arbitration. It was ridiculous to talk of having only 500 sheep on the Mackenzie Country, as one bad winter would ruin a small man like that. He might last a few years, but then he would be wiped out, and would leave in possession the man with 50,000 sheep. This statement was greeted with disapprobation by some of the settlers present. William Fielding Hamilton, holder of 30,000 acres of Crown land on a 21 years' lease, and 6900 acres of freehold, said that he had seen surface-sowing effect a great improvement, but had done none himself. He was satisfied with his tenure, and agreed with the previous witness in that matter. He was satisfied with the constitution of the Land Boards. It would be absurd to subdivide the high runs, which had been already deprived of all summer country. John Mackintosh, holder of a small Government leasehold in the Mackenzie Country, said tha-t he was quite satisfied *?ith his tenure, but found his holding of 1700 acres too small. He had surface-sown with considerable success. He thought a small holder more likely to save his 6heep in winter than a large holder. The eommiss'on arrived at Fairlie at 7.20 p.m., after being on the move for lZ^hour*, snatched a hurried dinner, and then at 8 p.m. held another meeting to take further ' evidence.

John Trotter, holder of a lease in perpetuity at Pungaroa, said he had no desire for the freehold. Ke said that at a meeting held at Fairlie, attended by several Crown tenants, five voted for the leasehold and ono for freehold. Two others, who were not Crown tenants, voted for the freehold. L^ncl had gone up in' value all round. The leasehold properties had been put up to their full value for rating, but the freehold properties had not been so treated. That -was the only thing he saw in favour of the freehold. Four of the Pungaroa lca?e-in-perpetuity holders had sold out. There were several properties in the district that could be cut up for. closer settlement. The Crown tenants at Pungaroa had refused to sign jx petition forwarded by the Farmers' Union in favour of the freehold. The tenants had not been harassed by the rangers. Witness considered himself just as good as a freeholder : and more so, because 90 per cent, of the freeholders had their lands mortgaged. He did not think the Government should allow a man who had 6aved £500 to use it in paying off part of the capital value of his holding. He thought there should be no revaluation in connection with future leases, as it would retard settlement.

Some 15 persons attended the meeting of the commis=ion. but seemed reluctant to give evidence. The Chairman called on an elderly man named John Rqss, who occupies a small grazing run and has had large experience in the Mackenzie Country. He said surface-sowing would only take on the creek sid-»s in the gullies; it would not take on the hills nor on the dry plains. Some of the runs in the district would cut up for closer settlement.