POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5690, 8 October 1896, Page 1

POLITICAL NOTES.

TFrom Our Correspondent.'! WELLINGTON, Oct. 7. LAND SETTLEMENT IN CANTERBURY. - In asking- Ministers if they would make special efforts to secure lands for settlement at Islington and Hornby, Mr- G. W.. KusseJl hoped that the Government would not make the.. .same mistake respecting these localities as they made in connection ;.mth.l^nds;'forsettlemjßnt in.Belfast, where lands refused by the Governtaent had been' purchased by a private speculator and resold, at. a profit. He pointed out. that there, was now a large population at Islington, and that Messrs Nelson Brothers intended starting frozen meat works at Sockburn, which would result in a large amount of land being required. The Minister bf Lands, in reply, said that it would depend whether or hot the Upper House passed the legislation already passed by the House respecting workmen's homes. Efforts would be made to get land for workmen's homes in the districts mentioned if the legislation referred to became law. Mr Flatman was informed this afternoon by the Minister of Lands that the Land Purchase Board was making inquiries respecting land suitable for settlement in the townships of Winchester and Arundel, and he hoped soon to have the result of these inquiries. Mr Buddo, in asking if the offer made by the Land Purchase Board for certain sections near Kaiapoi was arrived at on the valuation of the Board's valuator, and, if not, what reason could the Board give for the action of a settler, who knew of the Board's offer, purchasing the land at .£3O an acre, said that this matter arose out of the refusal of the owner of the land referred to to accept the offer of the Land Purchase Board. He thought it would be some satisfaction to many disappointed applicants if they were informed of the price offered for, and the valuation of, the land in question. The Hon J. M'Kenzie said that it would be unfair to the owner to make public the valuation of the property or the price offered. One valuation was of a confidential character, and could not be made public property. The Board did not, of course, know what induced a settler to purchase the lanct referred to. MISCELLANEOUS. Eospecting the construction of a light railway from Wairiri to Glentunnel, Mr Collins has received a promise from the "Minister of Public Works that he will jause inquiries to be made as to whether there will be any other traffic than that from coal-mines. The Minister of Lands, for the Post-master-General, informed Mr Flatman toiay that the department was making inquiries respecting the establishment of i post office at Orari bridge, Geraldine. The Minister of Public Works, replying to Mr Collins, who asked if it were intended to purchase a manual fire engine for Burnham Industrial School, and, if so, would a colonial-made engine be purchased as being both cheaper and better, said that a report had been received pointing out the necessity for fire appliances at Burnham School, and it was now undei consideration. The Government would certainly, other things being equal, give preference to an engine of colonial manufacture. I