THE LAND COMMISSION.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12636, 24 March 1905, Page 3

THE LAND COMMISSION.

Per Pre«s Association. DUNKDIN, March 23. The Land Commission continues its flying tour. through Otago. Members were •ip. at daybreak and some, inspected the" Barnego settlement which is considered a nieces*. Evidence was 'tien .taken at Balclutha from representatives of the Fariers' Union an~d some Barnego settlers. The latter thought that after ten years' residence a settler should have the option of the freehold. There was' some talk of. he unearned increment. One settler offered to sell his place to any member.-of ib'e Commission if he would get what he paid the place. The Commission ■:hen proceeded I to Clinton, • but : no ' wit--lesses w'ere -available, a. imich more iinoortant event, a sheep sale engaging atention. ' The Commission, .visited Poma-. oaks settlements After passing ; Wairuna he land became poorer . and ; ' the opinion* was freely expressed that the "UjDmahaka •ettlerrs at 3s ,6d were paying too high: or land. * There was a strong cold wind blowing, rain was threatening, crops and urnips looked backword and thin, and he whole of the surroundings desolate and I heary. One of the settlers who was. in-1 'erviewed by the Commission, had. no heerful tale to tell. The Commissioners; were glad to get away from -the forlorn spot. In the eveniug at Clinton,.evidence; vas given by the Pomahaka settlers. Thfey "omplaiued that ihe rent was too. high,; the loading excessive and the sections too small. The Advances to Settlers' Department- according to- one witness!' refused' idvances. as 'the. land, even with improvements added was not vworth the rents they were paying. Sir. 'John McKanzi# had said he would get a-settler a loan despite this, but the Department kept back the '■ent in advance and the man only, got some £3. He was so disgusted that -he left the district. * '