CANTERBURY RUNS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6316, 14 August 1888, Page 3

CANTERBURY RUNS.

THEXANJD BILL. [FROlt, OXJBIVOWNXJOBBBEPONDKHT.J WELLINGTON, August 13. Someimportanfcalterations were made by the Council in the Land Billin regard to pastoral leases, which, if adopted by the House, would iave meant the locking up a great portion of the Canterbury- runs, (which fall due ia-iSflO^aud involve an area of 2,000,000 acres of land), for a further period of twenty - one years. The Bill provides that leases shall be re - let in three different classes, mountainous land being leased in blocks of 5000 acres upwards, or fixed leases for twenty-one years, without right of xesump-tion-during that.period. The nexfc-class of land, in blocks of under 5000 acres, on various systems, and the third-class (nearerthe ■ sea), for agricultural and pastoral purposes, in smaller blocks on different systems. It was originally intended, that second-class land should be re-let "under various systems, but by the insertion of the word "Ghall" by the Council in tbe clause (which permitted second-class rung in some instances to be re-let on terms of twenty-one years) it was 'thought that- this would be considered imperative in all cases. A deputation of members interested to-day waited on the Minister for Lands on the subject, and the result was that a promise was exacted to put the word " may" in the -clause, thus enabling land to be rented in different ways, according to ite quality. ' The Minister tilso promised that in rutuva- the maps of a run to be re-leased shall: ahow in different coloui-s the lani to let under various systems, instead of the 'present plain Bketch map?, : which will mate matters very much clearerto intending' settlers. - • ■