WAVERLEY NOTES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8400, 14 February 1894, Page 3

WAVERLEY NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Plans for the Momohaki Village Homeeteari Settlement made their appearance about a week since. The conditions and prices at which they aro to bo offered have caußerl much disappointment and dismay to intending applicants. The conditions ore extremely stringent, particularly as to tho future working of tho lands, rotation of crops, etc , but a portion of the " Declaration " fieems to me to debar any person in tho colony from taking up land under it. It roads as follows — " That lam not tho owner, tenant, or occupier, directly or indirectly, either by myself, or jointly with any other pereon or persons, of any land anywhere in the colony." At any rate a man or woman owning, or renting, any land would be barred, even if the area was only half an acre ; and these are the people in this district who are most anxious to obtain small farms. There must Burely be (something wrong here ? The price put on the land is out of all comparison with its actual value, and was never intended to benefit the small settler, but has the appearance of being intended to play into the hands of certain persons, who anxiously desire to acquire it in one blook. Since it ■was first proposed to cut up this land, some persons have done their utmost to oppose it, and I am informed that in some instances have offered the Government considerably more than it is worth, eimply with the view to raise the value and "choke off" the intending small settler. That may account for the absurd values put on this land. It is stated that one large holder wanted to know, in the eeent of small farmers coming into the district, what he would do with his produce ? Some of these people think that Now Zealand was created for their special use and benefit. I ccc by the Wellington Post that the Land Board ia up in arms at the action of the Lands Department, and have voiced public opinion as expressed in tbifl district, and we earnestly hope they will be'able to make some a Iteration. Personally, I cannot see why Mr Fisher should advocate holding the ballot for these lands in WangaBui. It is estremely probable tUat meet of

the applicants will be found in and around Waverley and Wuitotara, and there is no good reason why they should be put to the loss of time and expense of having to leave the distriot. A meeting was held here on Monday to talk over the probable success of a dairy factory, but I have not been able to ascertain what was dono. It is satisfactory, however, to hear that a start has been made, and I sincerely hope it will be carried through with success, as a dairy faotory I well managed is a source of income for small settlers, that in other parts of the colony has been of great use to struggling Farmers.