MACKENZIE COUNTRY

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14285, 29 August 1910, Page 7

MACKENZIE COUNTRY

AND SUBDIVISION. Mr J. J. Rains ay writes to the "Otago Daily Times" from Hyde:— As a great cry is being made by interested persons in connection with the proposed subdivision of the -Mackenzie Country, 1 think it is not out of place to remind your readers of a controversy which took place in your columns and an agitation m winch 1 was interested in connection with the subdivision of Blackstoue Hill, Home Hills, and Lauder a few years ago. In that controversy and agitation I had opposed to me the press and tho Laud Board of Otago, particularly the then Chief Commissi oner. The Hon. Mr M'Nab, who visited the district, met a deputation of 40 practical men, and decided to subdivide the runs pretty much as we proposed, and certainly very much the opposite to the subdivision outlined by tho Land Board, and got no small criticism from a section or tJi-e press for his action. 1 pointed out then that Mr McNab would have deserved censuie had he taken the opinion of a Land Board consisting of men who had no inland experience as against that of a whole district of practical men with lifelong local experience. And what has been the result Several years have passed &me-o that land was thrown on the market, and, although Home Hills was divided in a manner we thought would prejudice its successful operation, and cut up in long nar*ow streak.-.., including some of the highest ann roughest cuuntry in New Zealand, and although tlvo settlers have been duiing the conr.- ? of their tenancy through one of the very worst winters Central Otago ha.s experienced, there has been no word of that failure so lepeatedly predicted by the opponents or its subdivision. I »iito this at the present juncture not to claim in any wav anv credit for bom- a prophet, because I'only spoke of what I knew from long experience but to draw attention to the fact that m land matters this history repeats itself every time a subdivision is asked for and to point out that it is the same old "parrot cry" that is beinraised m connection with the Mackenzie Country. I cannot speak with personal knowledge of that country, but a practical, level-headed experienced highcountry sheeptarmer who has been over it and knows it t-horoughlv assures Homellir ° flt <^™as