EDUCATION RESERVES.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4980, 12 April 1889, Page 4

EDUCATION RESERVES.

Sir, —No reference having been made in the correspondence received from Mr Pitman (a precis of which you were good enough to publish a day or two ago) to the intention of the commissioners with respect to reserve No, 1202 (near Beaconsfield) which residents in that district are anxious should be divided into 20 to 30-acre holdings, I have written to that gentleman on the subject and append his reply. From this it will be seen that if those who desire the subdivision are able to show that there would be a good demand for the sections by a good class of settlers, they may succeed in inducing the commissioners to carry out their wishes. It is now for them to take the necessary steps. I have, &c., Wm. J. Steward. Ashburton, April 10th, 1889.

Government Buildings, Christchurch, April 10th, 1889, To W. J. Steward, Esq. Ashburton,

Sib, —In reply to your letter of Bth instant, I have to inform you that my board, at a meeting in November last, decided to re-let reserve 1202 by tender, in one lot, upon exniry of present lease, as 238 f acres was not considered an excessive area for one farm, besides which reserves 1202 and 1204 in the same neighbourhood are to bo subdivided into smaller areas, and the fact of the police reserve near Besconsfield (which was subdivided by Government into small areas) being in such close proximity to reserve 1202 is rather an argument against the cutting up of the reserve into small holdings, for the reason that there would not be sufficient work in the district for the class of settlers who would take such holdings. Our reserves are always let by tender, after being duly advertised, except an occasional one of small or moderate area (in the occupation of an exceptionally good tenant who is living on the land) let by arbitration under clause 245 of “ The Land Act 1885.” Tenders are not likely to be invited for reserve 1202 before July next at the earliest, when it will bo advertised with other small ones, and those that are being subdivided in South and North Canterbury. I noticed in a letter of yours in the Timaeu Heeald upon the run question, that you referred to some of our reserves, and mentioned reserve 1324, of 250 acres, as one that might be subdivided. This reserve my : board decided to re-let by tender in one lot, as to subdivide same would simply mean to depreciate the value of the whole, as from the nature of the land, which consists of high rolling downs, it could not be worked advantageously if divided, nor proper access given to it. With regard to reserve 1202 the case is different, and if my board saw fit to subdivide this reserve into say 3, 4 or 5 lots it could be dona without detriment to the working of the land generally, and good access could be given to each lot, but I take it my board would require to be convinced that there would be a demand for such small farms in the neighbourhood, from, or rather by, a good class of settlers. The surveyor, who is now at Waitaki, will not I should say bo subdividing reserves 1203 and 1204 before beginning of next month, and if any subdivision of reserve 1202 is to be made it could be done before our surveyor leaves Pareora to come north. I am, &c., H. H. Pitman, Steward of Education Reserves.