Settlers and their Grievances.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 130, 2 April 1894, Page 2

Settlers and their Grievances.

Petition to the Land Board. (From o*tr owu CorreepwerVml; I >Utk>n* from settler* of Mb..un and member* >f the Stirling Special Kettle mont Associations were placed before the Land Board at their ma ting on Thursday 11. petitioners set forth a number >;

rcusona why an inquiry thould be held inni their disabilities aad grievance*, tnd asked mat wild tuu object the Board should hold a sitting at Pahiatua. It was urged by the memorialists that the values placed on their sections were excessive, and that the conditions imponed with re gard to the construction of road*, el were unfair, if not arbitrary and vexation*. In connection with the pennon, the dis cussion ©f Mr Hogg’s resolution that the Board hold an adjourned meeting at ' hiatua, was resumed. The Commissioner considered that Legislative alone could reduce the price the land. That was tbs ouly remedy that be could suggest Personally be di 1 not think the land wik overvalued anj ho felt satisfied that if it **er© offer© ! for salo at the prices pl&esd on the one there would be plenty of *ppl!ceVoris Mr Hogg mainta.nsd that one ef the functions of the Lead Beard was to determine what was s f ur end value for the lan 1 iliM was offered for settlement, lie placed no reliance on legislative intsiventlon, indeed he felt satisfied that anotlter battlers Land Ke valuation Act would Aot be entertained. What ho asked the Board to do was to afford settlers, who were endeavouring t improve the country aed facing hardships which were inadequately appreciated, reasonable facilities for giv ag expression to their grievance* If this were dons and if the Board after due enquiry aud consideration recommended Concessions lie had little doubt they would l>o made.

Mr Fisher wee afraid that the Board had no power to alter the prices as rental* once they were fixed. If tho ownc\ ~f the sections were dissatisfied they could surrender.

Mr Hogg: Yes, and sacrifice tbi-ir time and money with the prospect of ting no land to replace the homestead! they lost. As mat tern stand the adverts nfi column# of the local papers shew that there arc plenty of iettlers preparod i > sell out if tney can only get a reasonable valuo for their improvement* or for ih* time aud labour they expended.

The Commissioner said the settlers who were petitioning had been very glad t > get the land nt tho prices placed upon it. Since they had acquired the sections the Government had expended lerge sum* n the construction of roads. It we* true that in some cases tho land whs loader with a charge for road making, but otheHcttlers who** names were tho Maknri petition bad got ro.> i- fui nothing.

Mr Ilogg defended tho Makuri still.rs urging that they had substantial griuv and in prosf of this ha read extracts fi i letters that he had roeoired. He me n tamed that if the satllera wero in t l e position represented by the writers it wa* tho duty cf the Board fo assist them. The settlers asserted that the values placed . a inferior land retnoto from market* or good roads or railways was in exce*s of tbs price that had been oharq©.! for fir- 1 ca ■« laud more eligibly situated ; that in f.iot, a# settlement extended into the backwoods, and the land increased in altitude ard roughness the values had been increw j This was & serious allugation and it demanded enquiry. The peaidiseov.n l at Makuri, for insjinoe, greatly redutH tho value of the land for grazing. v The Commiesioner admitted thatV”. wet climate at Makuri was a groat draw back, but the chief evil arose from the

attempt to carry on sheep farming in h

country with small aroas. ( Mr Fitzberbert said it was undoubtedly a mistake for people to try to make a living from a few sheep. The Commissioner pointed out that large sums had been spent on roads, the couetry had beer improved, i*nd as settlement extended back and tho land became scares, the value nariirally rose, and thu state had a riaht to cleim the improved value created by it* expenditure. If tbc Beam eat at I’ahiatua they would only hear one aide namely, the statement# of poople wi , wore intoreoted in depreciating the valua of their sectiouo.

Mr Hogg: Thai evidence Trill be nor* the less wduable, it will coal # the Board and the Government Vi between the toi ef settlers doe are making the oosrr.iy nod those of the officers of to’ e land if* artment who » r e interc<wod in swell!®;* tho Hoi fund. lie had no with to materially injure the laei revenue, and ho apprehended that even if reductions were m*do when they were found to be neecseary no important injary would remit. Commissioner said it would be impossible to decide upon the valuation without an infection of the country c.nd this would lavolve an ex penditure of time asd monoy that the Board would noth# warrant-ri in iaeurrinp. Mr Fitzberbert and I r .r Pirani thought this was an insurmountmblo difficulty Mr Hogg replied that a sample of the country could be seen without much ©Tpeatu or trouble by visiting Makuri township and the members would find a capital road and < splendid scoaery. • The Commissioner : If the lend is to bo rovalued exports will have to be employed. Tho whole trouble has arisen through th land not being surveyed and valued b« fore it wa* offered. I am satisfied tbs tho price can only be reduced by legisla tion.

Mr Hogg : In the case of the Spec si Settlement Associations they wero only acquainted with tne vaiue* naeiy to bt placed on their sections when the ballot took place. They protested ■ gainst th.e at the time, and J was one of a deputation that waited on the Minister of Lands shortly afterward*, and urged a reduction A further valuation was promised, and a slight reduction has been made ; but it i« held to be totally inadequate. The Land Board h*6 made a reduction in similar case* before. Ae a fact lha values beta not been fixed irrevocably, and I have no doubt if the Minister of Lands were asked to reduce the prices ho would give ef> : to the Board's recommendatien. Tfc 3 Commissioner said the values of the different blocks averaged from 21s io 24s per acre, Mr Hogg : With fis added for load*

The Commissioner: They knew t »t under the regulations the minimum \* # was 20s per acre. Mr Hogg could say from hi* ows knowledge that the Masterton Reform Association expected the average vr.i-ie would not exceed 15a per acre. After some further discussion, in u-e 9 course of which Mr Hogg urged that an I adjournment to the neighbourhood whore settlement was going on was desirable • that the Board might meet the settlers far* to faco and ascertain their position, .t was finally agreed that at next meeting the Commissioner should submit a state incut showing the rental payable on t * various nections of the Special Settlemr m blocks. g