A REJOINDER TO MR R. B. ROSS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3577, 17 July 1912, Page 2

A REJOINDER TO MR R. B. ROSS.

Sir, —I noticed in your report of the welcome to Mr R. T. Sadd, the new Commissioner for‘Crown Lands that Mr R. B. Ross has again endeavored to bring himself into the limelight at the cost of the between Motu and* Opotiki, and he frankly admits he caused heartburnings amongst them during His last visit here. Why re-open those heartburnings, more especially when lie is not acquainted with the country. On his last visit Mr Ross made the journey from Mdtu to Opotiki via the Pakihi and the upper portion of the AYhitikau stream and thence through Papamca. Therefore he did not- see the best of the country. Had he taken the Motu Falls road, then struck off through O’Xeilbs, and followed the AVhitikau stream down through Toa To a he would have seen some good hush country, which, by the way, the Government (lie so rabidly supported) have seen fit to acquire to the extent of 62,000 acres for which they gave £1 Is per acre to the Natives. Before this block can be got ready for selection the cost of roading, surveying, balloting, advertising, interest on the outlay in the meantime lias to be added. Therefore it will not be offered under about £2 per acre. Now surely the Government land purchase officers are just as capable of valuing land as Air Ross? Moreover, the AA’i Pore Trust are opening for selection a bush block of a very considerable area, and I understand they are going to spend £9OOO in loading almost immediately. 'They also must be considered as incapable of knowing land values! Re the statement that mercantile firms and agents are mainly responsible for inflated values I would like to draw Air Ross's attention to the fact that fully £0 per cent, of the applicants for the last ballot held in Gisborne (run 47) were assisted by the mercantile firms of Gisborne and without their assistance they could not have entered into possession of the land and they alone were responsible for the success of the ballotHis remarks re land agents might apply beneficially to politicians, mining commissioners, etc.

As to the proposed railway going through what lie terms useless country, why did he not, during his ALP. ship, protest against the Otira to Stillwater and other lines which go through far worse country than AlotuOpotiki route. It is essential to have that railway to link up the East Coast lands with Gisborne and Auckland and to assist in developing the hack blocks. In conclusion it might be advisable for Air Ross to arrange for the absence of a newspaper reporter during his next visit to Gisborne to save further heartburnings.—l am, etc., A. K. GREENFIELD, Land agent, Gisborne. Gisborne, July 16, 1912.