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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 249, 19 January 1889, Page 2

At a meeting of the Hokitika Land Board on Wednesday Messrs Duncan and Robinaon, representing some intending settlers, brought under the notice of the Board the serious hindrance to settlement occasioned by the Midland Railway Company’s reservation. It was pointed out that the company has practically aix million acres from which to select. It was stated that the company wait till an application is made for land, when they put their price upon it, general'y more than double the valuation. If a settler buys the company make a profit of 100 per cent; if the settler does not buy the company does not select. It is probable that the country wi 1 be locked up in this way if >r years, and settlement be almost at a standstill, while those who do settle are compelled to pay exorbitant prices. The reservation has already been in force five years, and settlers cannot take up land. The speakers condemned the Government granting concession after concession without consulting the districts interested It was thought that the injury that was now being sustained was for a myth, the company apparently having no intention of completing the railway, and it was doubtful if the company would be able to raise the money for the line. It was monstrous, the deputation said, that the evil should ba permitted to exist. The feeling of indignation was intense. The Board promised to bring the representations before the Government, and passed a resolution asking th-i Government to permit the Board to deal with applications on the old footing, there being 129 settlers wanting 10,000 to 12,000 acres. One of the deputation said that out of 50 applications before the company only throe would compete owing to the exorbitant prices asked.