CENTRAL OTAGO RUNS.

Otago Witness, Volume 06, Issue 2899, 6 October 1909, Page 22

CENTRAL OTAGO RUNS.

CLOSER SETTLEMENT WANTED.

LAND LEAGUES FORMED.

(Fao3i Oub Own Coreespondent.) ALEXANDRA, October 4. Closer settlement of the lands in this district promises to become the foremost topic of interest, and, judging by the feeling expressed ,at a public meeting held here on Saturday to promote settlement, the question is becoming a serious problem as far as this district is concerned. The meeting was attended by over 30 residents), and a motion to form a land league was carried unanimously. Mr Charles Weaver (convener of the meeting) was elected president, and. it is the {intention to form leagues in various places in the surrounding districts. In addressing the meeting Mr Weaver dwelt at" length on the pastoral runs .arid" their lease&, and was followed by, other , speakers, all of whom characterised tho attitude of the Land JJoard as against the interests of closer settlement. The granting of a fresh lease over the Galloway Run -came in for severe, criticism, as this^run. cannot be touched till the expiry of the lease in 1916. The lease of portion of this run, containing over 40,(X/0 acres, fell due early last year, and the board granted another lease, with the condition imposed that the present lessees should hold the run until the lease expires. The action of the Land Board in granting some 15,000 acres of pastoral country to the lessee of the Matakanui Run in exchange for ll,ooo_acres of freehold was also adversely commented upon, the speakers holding that the pastoral land was much superior to the freehold, which was said to be of a shingly nature and unsuitable for cultivation. It is to prevent a repetition of such anomalies that the league has been formed, and it is suggested that the board' should meet delegates of- the different leagues at an early date to ascertain the requirements of the settlers and the best means of subdividing the runs. As the Jblarnscleugh and Moutere Runs can be resumed by giving 12 months' notice, the board is to be asked to take the matter up,» with -the view of an early! subdivision of these, runs. t Camplimefitary reference was made to the liberal offer of Mr _ Spain, of the Earnscleugh Run, to allow the- board to take 1000 acres of the' most suitable land for fruit culture, and as a large portion' of the Moutere. Run ds more favourably adapted for fruit-growing purposes, the hope was expressed that the lessee ofthat run would .immediately make a similar offer to that of Mr Spain. Leagues are to be formed 'at Earnscleugh, Bald Hill Flat, Clyde, and other places, and if the leagues can materially increase the small farmer class by their advocacy they will be rendering valuable service to those landless people in this district who are anxiously waiting to settle on the land.