CUTTING UP RUNS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13832, 18 February 1909, Page 2

CUTTING UP RUNS.

To the Editor of the " Timaru Herald." Sir, —In last Saturday's issue vou have_ a leading article on the cutting up of grazing runs, in which vou quote an article from the " Utago Daily Times," which says "that areas of 500 and 1000 acres should be set a.side in different parts for close settlement in not more than 100 acre blocks," and " the argument that the runs would be spoiled if that were done to any great extent may be disregarded." Not so. At present nearly all the small grazing runs selected have not sufficient agricultural ground to enable the lessee to lattcu his stock and grow .sufficient food to tide him through the worst part of the winter. The owners of S.G. runs are only too willing to "break up" any land that it is possible to got a. plough into, as it pays them to do so.

To take away the pick of the land from any blocks that can bo cut into grazing runs is simply mining them. Under existing leases of S.G. runs, ploughable land is classed as "agricultural," and the rent is fixed accordingly. A 100 acre farmer in most parts of the Mackenzie Country would have a struggle to make a living—let alone a few spare pounds. In an ordinary season many of the Mackenzie ruus are unable to grow sufficient feed for their station horses. A farmer growing grain for sale would require to get twice the average price for his cron, as crting would be a big item. If his turnip crop was a failure, it would mean selling his stock, perhaps at a sacrifice.

The item quoted from the " Lyfctelton Times," stating that "the province might be better otf with the hill-tops lying idle,'' etc., is absurd. This would mean to a. large extent that sheep would be run where grain is now grown, and that large tracts of hill country would be lying idle, and that less wool, mutton and grain would come on the market. Would it not be more profitable to give the S.G.Rs. more agricultural land, so that the lessee could fatten all his stock and " winter his flock safelv ? A runholder paying rent for laud'classed as agricultural must work and crop it, otherwise the land will not pav him.—l am, etc.. „„.^- 1 - GRAZING RUN.