GLADBROOK ESTATE

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 11

GLADBROOK ESTATE

RETURNED SOLDIERS' SETTLEMENT.

RECOMMENDATIONS BY MIDDLEMARCH RESIDENTS. The acquisition by the Government of some 6000 acres of the Gladbrook Estate., near Middlemarch, together with the subdivision of the pastoral ran of approximately 30,000 acres behind it, for close settlement by returned soldiers, was responsible for an official -visit to the estate by tho Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr R. T. Sadd) and Messrs James Smith, Geo. Livingston, A. Munro, and C. J. Inder (members of the Otago Land Board) on Thursday. Tho party was driven ov.er the freehold property by Mr J. A. Roberts. In the evening a committee of residents of tho district met the Land Board and brought under their notice certain resolutions which had been passed at a meeting of residents of Middlemarch held on the 7th December. Mr R. T, Sadd, (who presided, stated that the freehold purchased by the Government amounted to 5272 acres, and was to be formally taken ovey by the Government on the 28th Juno. 'Mr Sadd then referred to tho meeting which was held at Middlemarch, at which three resolutions were passed. These he desired to refer to serial tim. The first resolution was:— That this meeting of tho residents of the Middlemarch and Sutton districts desires to express its hearty appreciation of the Government's action in purchasing a portion of the Gladbrook Estate for subdivision and settlement by soldiers; but that this meeting strongly urges upon tho Government the necessity for making all soldiers—those on active service as well as those returned to New Zealandeligible to apply for sections, as was done in the case of the subdivision and settle- . ment of the Hawkdun Run. Mr Sadd said tho Otago Land Board was quite in sympathy with the expression of opinion that soldiers on active service should have tho same privileges in the matter of selection as the men who have returned, but, unfortunately, the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act did not apply to other than discharged soldiers. It would therefore be necessary to hive the Act amended before the wishes of the residents, as expressed at the meeting referred to. could be given effect to. There were difficulties in the way, which he thought it his duty to point out. The question of finance would be difficult to overcome if an agent acted on behalf of a soldier on active service. Then, again, when the soldier returned he might repudiate what had been done for him in his absence. Tho second resolution read: — That in view of the. immense benefit that would accrue to Central Otago generally, and to soldier settlers particularly, by the establishment of a State farm for educational and experimental purposes, thfe meeting respectfully requests the Government to consider favourably the advisableness of setting apart the Gladbrook homestead, the steading, and a suitable area of land for the purpose of a State farm for Central Otago. Mr Sadd said he did not think it would be a sound proposition to retain the homestead for an experimental farm. The manager's house was much too costly, and it would'be unwise to load the estate with a building which cost something like £2OOO to build. His idea was that this house and 140 acres of ground surrounding it, should be submitted to public auction, and it was probable that some wealthy man would purchase it. The third resolution was: — That, in view of the urgent need and demand for land in the district by landless residents who are not eligible for military service, this meeting would again urge the Government to acquire a further area of land for tho purpose, of closer settlement, and also to meet the pressing needs of a number of families who will be deprived of grazing through the State's acquisition of Gladbrook Estate. Mr Sadd said he understood that the latter part of the resolution referred to what was known as tho. creamery paddock. The residents of Middlemarch had been allowed to graze slock in this paddock for a weekly charge. Probably something could be done in the direction of cutting tho

paddock up in small blocks of, 6ay, five acres each.

Mr W. Moynihan pointed out that there were only 39 acres in the paddock, and subdivision into smaller areas might be desirable. He thought three acres would bo sufficient to graze one ecrtv on. Mr iSadd concluded by stating that the members of the board had had a good look at the agricultural land on the estate, and would be pleased to hear the views of those present on the question of its subdivision and settlement. Mr W. D. Mason referred to the subdivision of the pastoral country, the lease of which he understood would shortly fall in. He thought it should be subdivided into areas_ of from 1000 to 1200 sheep-carry-ing capacity. Dealing with the matter of selection, ho was satisfied that no land will bo applied _ for except by men. who wore in the district and who were acquainted with the district. He did not think there would be the slightest difficulty in the matter of finance, as the stock.and station agents doing business in the district would be prepared to arrange that satisfactorily. Up to the present time some 94 men out of a population of 750 had left the district to fight for their country, and up to the present not more than eight of theso had returned. He knew of one lad who had left a power of attorney, but ho understood that could not be exercised in regard to the selection of land under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act. He thought an endeavour should bo made to get the Act amended to permit of soldiers on active service having an opportunity of acquiring

land. With regard to the matter of an experimental farm, the settlers of Middlemarch district were aware that the Government had been endeavouring to secure an experimental farm in the district, and he bolioved that the beet plan would be to secure a block of the poorer land on the estato; for the purpose. Tho Chairman said various opinions had

been expressed as to the size of the proposed holdings. He "would-like to have an expression of opinion from the meeting on that point. Mr Smith: Perhaps we might understand the position better if we knew how many acres it took to keep a cow. Mr Moynihan replied that he estimated that it took three acres to graze "one cow. Mr Mason said he knew one man in the district who was farming 29 acres, on which he kept 10 cows, which yielded him an average of 1661 bof butter fat daily. There was no question as to the excellence of the quality of the land on Gladbrook. Mr Moynihan, in reply to the question asked by the chairman, said he considered that if the land were subdivided into blocks of from 70 to 80 acres, those taking them up would make a handsome living from them.

Mr Smith suggested that if the _ blocks were from 60 to 200 acres it would probably meet the requirements of soldiers best. Several speakers agreed with 'this suggestion..

A returned soldier said he thought 60 or 70 acres was much too small. A man flhould not have less than 150 acres. He thought the disposal of the land should be neld In abeyance until ,the demobilisation of tho Expeditionary Forces. Mr T. A. Munro thought it would not be quito fair to hold over the disposal of the land until tho troops were demobilised. The Chairman suggested that a certain portion of the land might be cut up and disposed „o.f as soon as possible, and the balance held over until demobilisation took

place. Ho believed that idea would find favour with tho Government.

Mr C. J. Inder said that only a small percentage of the men in tho district had returned, and if they wero permitted to make a selection now it would be manifestly unfair to others who had not yet returned.

In reply to the chairman, Mr Mason said ho had no doubt about tho success of the settlement of the high country. The most dire predictions were made concerning the Patoaroa runs, but the men who took these up had not looked back. The same applied to all cases when large pastoral runs had been subdivided.

• Mr G. M'Hardy said the fencing diffinilty on the high country was a real one. There wero 33,000 acres of hill country.

Tho Chairman thought that a pioco of freehold should go with each block of high pountry, even although the two were not contiguous.

Mr Mason -suggested that tho Government should tako steps to accpiire a 1000acro block belonging to Mr Kirkland, better known as Nimmo's property. It was a most dcsirablo property for agricultural purposes, and was adjacent to tho townldijp and tho creamery

The Chairman said the questions brought forward had been very fully discussed, and tho members of the board were now fullv

seized with the ideas of the settlers in the district. A vote of thanks to the Crown Land Commissioner and members of the Land Board lor attending was carried by acclamation.

VISITED BY THE PRIME MINISTER

PROVISION FOR SOLDIERS' INTERESTS.

The Right Hon. W. F. Massey (Prime Minister) paid a visit to Gladbrook Estate on Saturday. He was accompanied by Messrs 11. Scott and O. E. Statham, M.P.'s, J. D. Ritchie (chairman of the Lands Purchase Board), and R. T. Sadd (Commissioner of Crown Lands). Mr J. A. Roberts and Mr -A. M'Kinnon (manager of the estate) conducted the party over the property. Subsequently the Prime Minister received a large and representative deputation of farmers and residents in the district at the Agricultural Hall, Middlemarch. The deputation was introduced by Mr Scott (member for tho district), who extended a hearty welcome from the residents to the Prime Minister. " Ho stated the gentlemen assembled had certain views, which they wished to bring before the Prime Minister, regarding tho settlement of Gladbrook. Mr W. D. Mason expressed regret that tho Prime Minister had come at such short notice; otherwise there would have been some hundreds present. He drew Mr Massey's attention to the resolutions passed at a meeting of residents on December 7. The resolutions, briefly, were that remedial legislation should be. introduced to permit of soldiers on active service participating in tho ballot for the land; tho establishment of an experimental farm on the property; and the necessity of the Government acquiring Kirkland's property (1000 acres), which is adjacent to Gladbrook. Mr Mason expressed the opinion that it would be a great disappointment to many men who wore now on active service if they were debarred from participating in the ballot for the subdivided property! Some of these young men had been looking _ forward for years to the time when Gladbrook would be made available for closer settlement. With regard to Kirkland's property, 'he urged that it should be acquired and made available for landless residents in the district. Ho ventured to say that there would bo 10 applicants for each section if the property wero acquired. Mr Robertson strongly urged the setting aside of the homestead block for a State farm. He explained that some of the land was capable of growing 100 bushels of wheat per acre, and there was also a poorer class of land, the whole growing capacity of which would be equal to about five bushels. They therefore had the two extremes.

Tho Prime Minister thanked the residents for their cordial reception, and for their welcome expressed, through Mr Scott. TTo had had a good look over tho freehold portion of the Gladbrook Estate, and his opinion was that it was one of tho bestpurchases tho Government had mado up to tho present time. The* property was a yaluablo one, and was well watered, and he was quite satisfied that the soldiers who settled on it would do well. He was bound to admit that the offer made by the owner

(Mr John Roberts) was a very generous ! one, and the property had been purchased at such a price that there was no reason .why it should not be successfully settled, and I tho selectors be perfectly satisfied. He [ mentioned that the history of soldiers' settlements showed that they had not been particularly successful. He referred to those established in tho early history of the dominion. He did not anticipate that every man would be successful under the present scheme, but he ventured to say that a largo proportion of them would be". Up tp the present time some -600 returned soldiers had been settled on the land. The Government had purchased properties in different part of the dominion, some of which were perhaps not so good as Gladbrook,' but' still ho had no hesitation in saying that they were suitable for close settlement . Referring to the second proposal of tho deputation, he did not think it would be fair to hold the disposal of the property in abeyance, awaiting the demobilisation of the forces. What the Government proposed to do was to go on steadily settling the soldiers on the land as opportunity permitted. Tho Government realised that it wouldl not be advisable to put too much land on the market all at once. A large number of licenses of runs in Otago I were falling in during the current year, and it had been decided to extend these licenses to the present holders for another year, which would postpone their cutting up until more soldiers returned. The Go-ver-nment, too, had. been careful to purchase properties at values which would ensure soldiers making a comfortable living, and it • did not favour thorn being subdivided into too small areas. At the same time ho thought it was only fair to mention that with respect to Gladbrook he at one time thought that 140 acres would bo required for a man to make a living upon. After seeing the property ho was glad to say that was not his opinion now. At the same time he realised the danger of cutting up the property ■ into areas which wore too small, a proceedingisSwhich sometimos resulted in the starving out of tho selector. Regarding the suggestion that the balloting for Gladbrook should be delayed in order to permit of men at pi-osent on active service partaking, he pointed out that under the Land Act men at the front, through their relatives, were given the privilege of acquiring land, and as a matter of fact were given preference. He thought it was bettor to carry out the land settlement schemes as at present provided for. and when tho House met amendments could be made, and they would have experience tp guide them in making the necessary amendments. Regarding the suggestion that the Govornmonet should purchase Kirklnnd's property, he was entirely unaware as to whether the owner was willing to dispose of it. Ho would, however, have inquiries made, but ho could assure the deputation that the Government was not going to give more than a reasonable price for it. With reference to the proposal that a portion of Gladbrook should be set aside as a State farm, a good deal of misconception existed as to what was meant by a State farm. It might bo that it was an institution whore students were to bo trained in the principles of farming, or a place whore men who had not much experience in agriculture rould go to gain it, or it might bo a block of land

where intense cultivation was to be carried out. The land had been purchased for the benefit of returned soldiers, and he was averse, as a- general principle, to depriving these men of land which had been acquired for them. He did not wish, however, to discourage the idea of having an experimental farm if it were necessary, and the matter would be considered. Pie did not wish, however, to talce this land, which had been purchased below its value, for an experimental* farm. The property had been purchased for the benefit of soldiers, from a gentleman who had been generous enough to offer it for that purpose, and it should be reserved for them as far as possible. He was not going to place any difficulties in the way of a State farm boing acquired, and he would go into the question with Mr Sadd and the permanent heads of the Land Department. With regard to the homestead block, ho could only say that it wns utterly unsuitable for the purpose of a State farm, and the idea that the, manager's house and 140 acres of land should be sold at public auction seemed a good! one. The Prime Minister' was accorded a vote of thanks on tho motion of Mi - Mason.