LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

Star (Christchurch), 23 May 1895, Page 4

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

Mr Diedrichs has at length conaented to accept a reduction in the price he asked from the Land Purchase Board for his land in the Hokitika and Kokatahi Valleys, some 6000 acres. The reduced price is £1 15s per acre, and there is a strong feeling in the districts affected that the Board should purchase nt that figure, as the settlers are very anxious to go on the land, and are confident they can easily pay the annual charge— 3s 3d an acre a year. If a sale is effected, a second dairy factory will be established at Kaiterangi.

There are ample evidences that a very pronounced earth-hunger is felt in the district. At the last sitting of the Land Board some fifty applications were dealt with. North of the Waiho the land ib locked up by the Midland Bail way reservation, and intending settlers have to content themselves with a temporary grazing license for the land they wish to occupy. This gives them no title ; they can be dispossessed at a month's notice, and get no valuation, for improvements, and yet they are swarming on to the land.

Mr £. B. Sammons, a very old resident, died last week, and was buried on Sunday with Masonic honours, having been a member of the Kil winning Lodge, New Zealand Constitution. The -Anglican Church service was also performed. Mr Sammons was one of the fast-diminishing band who came to the Coaßt in the early days of the gold rush, thirty years ago.