PALMERSTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3234, 8 March 1916, Page 31

PALMERSTON NOTES.

PALMJETRSTON, February 29. A very largo number of names have been signed to a petition that is being taken round this district for doing- away with the renewal of certain leases which have been recommended by the Land Board. The lands are bringing- in a peppercorn rent at present, the highest being only 3Jd per acre, while adjoining land, which is .said to be no bettor, if as good, is bringing in from la 2d to 2s per acre. The runs are as follow: — Nc-s. 429 A. and 3628, Waitaki County, and 109, 255, and 217 C, Waihcmo and Waitaki Counties. The rents and areas- of the runs are:—429A: Area. 17.160 acres; rental, £lO Is per annum. 362T3: 29.770 acres; rental. £2O 100. 255, and 217 C (combined) : 15.100 acres; rental, £205. Making a. total of 61.960

acres at a rental of £235 Is per annum, or less than Id per acre. These runs are at present in the hands of three persons, and it appears that the Land Board has recommended a renewal of the leases for a further term of 21 years. The petitioners hope by their action that the lands in question may be put up to ballot at an early date, and consider that at least five families could settle on the 15,000 aero block. On Monday evening, after the meeting of the Patriotic Committee, the members of the council and others met for the purpose of appointing a committee to canvas the borough, as required by the new recruiting scheme. Messrs S. Beck, R. W. Wheeler, J. Stewart, W. Grimsdale, W. 35. Galloway, and Dr Howden were elected to undertake the canvassing.