MATIERE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13797, 31 October 1908, Page 10

MATIERE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Tho Farmers' Auctioneering Company held its .spring sale here on tho 20tti inst. The yards, which were built o accommodate 700 head of cattle, were found to be altogether inadequate, close on 1000 head of cattle being penned, in addition to a fair number ot sheep. A good sale resulted, most at the stock changing hands at current P1 The supply of milk and cream at both factories is increasing very rapidly. The Mangapapa, creamery has. not commenced operations yet, but the manager anticipates getting an early start as soon as the roads are fit to bring the boiler in from Ongarue. Meanwhile, the company is taking delivery of cream instead of milk. Tho proposal to change the railway route via Waitawhenua and Puketutu is causing a lot of feeling hostilo to the Government in this district. It is quite on tho cards that unless something definite is forthcoming before the election the Government candidate, Mr W. 1. Jennings, will find himself in a hopeless minority a-s far as the Ohura is concerned. Another thing that is causing a lot of dissatisfaction is the land tenure, the most of the land being offered here under the lease-in-perpetuity system only. A petition was forwarded from this district to Parliament in 1906 asking for the right of freehold. A reply was received that provision was made in the Land Bill before the House. After the passing of the Act several settlers here decided to take advantage of the clause in tho Act which enables L.I. P. settlers to convert at present value, the Land Office having advised that the fee simple could be obtained. The Board accepted deposits, appointed appraisers, gave valuations, which included all minerals oxcept gold and silver, and in the case of Mrs Williams, of Mangaroa, who objected to her valuation, submitted the matter to arbitration. Now, after the settlers have been put to all this expense, notices have been sent to all would-be freeholders stating that the Crown Law Officers advise that tho freehold cannbt be given to the L.I. P. settlers who have taken up their leases tinder the special sections in the Act relating to this and the Kawhia district. Politics aro in the air, plenty of grants for roads and bridges, far more than can be spent in the short time before the end of the financial year; promises for more if it can be expended. Settlers ought to be jubilant, but they're not, excepting those who are looking for a job. What's the cause? Tightness in the money market. The Advances to Settlers Office has refused to entertain any further loans ; some of those who have advances granted cannot get the money, and private money-lenders will not look at these leases now that money is short. The Government refuses the freehold, which would enable settlers to go into tho open market, and the result is they're not in a good humour. The state of the roads is a further source of discontent. To say the least, they are a disgrace to any civilised Government, let alone one that is always proclaiming from the housetops its love for the poor, forlorn, struggling hardy back settlers. Things are rather backward for this time of year, but we are hoping for good weather now.