EDUCATION RESERVES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1352, 13 June 1885, Page 2

EDUCATION RESERVES.

A meeting of occupiers of Education Reserves in the Geraldine Electoral District was held in the Geraldine Road Board office yesterday, 12 being present. Mr John Kelland, junr., was voted to the chair, and read advertisement convening the meeting. He next explained why the step had been taken. He had seen the motion passed by the Geraldine County Council. There was much in it which called for discussion and he, with one or two others, thought the best means of doing so was to call a meeting of occupiers of reserves by advertisement. He was sorry to see there were no reserve owners from Waitohi Flat present. Mr John Talbot thought the reserves at the Waitohi Flat were High School reserves and the Government had no control over them. The Chairman then read the draft of a letter which he suggested should be forwarded to the Minister for Lands, and also some daises from the Land Act. Under the perpetual leasing system the farms would bo let for a period of 30 years and then for 21 years. The only objectional clauses w as that limiting the amount of land a man should occupy, freehold or leasehold, to 640 acres, and the compulsory residential clause. He, the Chairman, thought the besjt tiling they could do was to endeavor to get themselves put under the operation of the Act, which he thought was very liberal and was what they required. There was no provision in the present leases for compensation for improvements, and the lessee had no chance of obtaining the reserves again when the lease was up, as the reserves were put up to auction and sold to the highest bidder. Mr John Talbot said he was not interested in anyjway in the reserves, but ho looked

upon the question as a public one. The reserves were not now utilised to beat advantage either as to settlement or improvement. The tenants should have a security of tenure with valuation for improvements. There were large reserves in different parts of the country which should be cut up into farms. In reference to the Land Act he did not think the reserves could be brought under its operation.' The Act would have to be altered. The reserves were now under School Commissioners. He saw no necessity for placing them under the Land Act. The Minister of Lands should be asked to bring pressure to bear on Commissioners to give liberal terms. He thought it best to send an application to Government and stale wbat was required, and let the Government do what they thought best. The Chairman said he was perfectly indifferent as to bow the reserves were administered so long as they were managed similar to the provisions of the Land Act, If there was to be open tendering there was the inducement open to one man to overreach another, and the evil effects of this were only too well known, Mr Talbot said there seemed to be some objection to the clause in the resolution passed by the County Council referring to the assessment every seven years. He thought this would be as advantageous to the tenant as the landlord. For instance, the value of the land might decrease twenty-five per cent, in a few years. The tenant would then be only too glad to see the assessment day coma round. Mr Postlethwaite thought 30 years was too long a term in a young country like this to let the reserves. Perhaps before that time they might be worth more or perhaps less. He thought 10 or 20 years long enough. The Chairman did not think they would be let now for less than tbey were worth.

Mr Postlethwaite said he did not mean they would be let for leas than they were worth now but there was no saying what would be the value of the reserves in 30 years.

The Chairman said lessee would be very unsettled' under a seven years assessment. He would not know how to work his property to best advantage. He liked the resolution of the Council well excepting this clause. Mr Talbot was of opinion the seven years assessment would cut both ways. It would lower or raise the rent as the times warranted.

Mr A. M. Clark said they were beginning to discuss details, as if the thing was settled They ought to try and bring other parts o the country to assist. He thought the bes thing to do was to form a Committee to cor respond with holders'in other parts of the country. He quite agreed with the remarks of the Chairman and Mr Talbot, but-they must initiate steps |which would bring more pressure to bear on Government than they could themselves.

The Chairman thought that the discussion of their views would be beneficial. He agreed with Mr Clark that they should seek cooperation from other parts of the colony. Mr E. Burke said that some steps were being taken in Southland in regard to the reserves.

Mr MeShane said a man could not go into permanent improvements in seven years. He would look for an end of his lease when the assessment day arrived. Mr Talbot suggested that a circular should be sent to all the County Councils of the colony informing them of what had been done in the matter, and asking them to take action and 00-operate in bringing pressure on the Government in the direction proposed. After some further discussion, during* which several courses were suggested, the following resolution, proposed by Mr A. M Clark and seconded by Mr E. Taylor, was carried —“ That a circular be drawn up by a Committee, consisting of Messrs J. Kelland, Allan Macdonald, P. MeShane, and W. Coltman, showing that that the present manner of dealing with the Education Reserves is unsatisfactory, and that it be sent to the various Countv Councils.”

This concluded the business, and the Chair man thanked those present for their attend

ance. A vote of thanks to the Chairman termi nated the meeting.