Solidiers syndicate wins case against the crown
A group of Maniototo high-country farmers, known as the Soldiers’ Syndicate, have won the war to keep farming their pastoral lease properties in the Hawkdun and Ida Ranges. Last week a High Court judgment ruled against the Crown , reports The Southland Times , after it reneged on a deal to offer a special lease to the syndicate. In 2003 the Commissioner of Crown lands (CCL) decided to grant a special lease on the expiry of a pastoral occupation licence to the Soldiers’ Syndicate. However, late last year CCL told the group that it had changed its mind and wanted to designate the land, comprising 4400ha in the Hawkdun and Ida ranges, as a conservation area. Fed Farmers high-country chairman Donald Aubrey said the Soldiers’ Syndicate ruling could set a precedent for the Minaret Station test case, which had been heard over the past two weeks.
