LAND COMMISSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8333, 3 June 1905, Page 5

LAND COMMISSION.

[Pek Pbess Association.] STRATFORD, June 3. The Land Commission sat her© till late last evening. The evidence for the most part was similar to that given in other parts of the province. The practice of loading for roads was generally condemned, arid a partly elective Land Board was advocated. Mrs. Dougherty, the first lady witness beforethe Commission, gave evidence in favour of the freehold, or as an alternative, the nationalisation of the land. A Maori land tenant urged that tho right to acquire the freehold should be given to tenants of the West Coast reserves, and the money pooled for the natives. Under present conditions the tenants were under great hardships. One witness stated that unless the freehold were granted them a number of settlers iri the Whanganiomona district would have to abandon their holdings Several had been abandoned already The Commissioner of Crown Lands and the county engineer gave, evidence as to the conditions existing in the county, the latter more particularly in regard to roads and bridges. No roads should be bended over to the Council after Government expenditure had ceased, unless a system of graduated subsidies had been introduced. The Commissioners left tins morning for Taihape