VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1414, 23 November 1886, Page 2

VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS

> Last evening Mr J. E. March attended at the Courthouse, Ashburton, In order to explain the Village Special Settlement regulations, and the conditions upon which land under those regulations might i be taken up. There was a very large attendance* Mr March said that doubtless those present had seen by tho local papers and by posters which had bean distributed that tha Government proposed throwing open land in and near this Conn'y as village speech settlements. Tho Cum missiouer of Crown Lands had Instructed him to visit Ashtuitm and explain the conditions under which this land might be taken up Mr March then proceeded to read and explain the regulations, after which he exhibited plans of the land set apart as village special settlements. There was a block at South Rakaia which had been subdivided into s.otiuns < f various sizes The two largest sections each contained 20 seres, the annual rental which was £lO per annum, or £5 tvery six months. No payment would have to be made during the first six months, bey nd the sum of iOt for tha lease. If the selector desired to borrow £2O tor the purpose of erecting a boose, he would have to pay interest at the rate of 6 per cent which would amount to £1 additional per annum till the loan was paid oil'. The other sec’ions In this block varied in size. There was ala. l»ud open for application under the Village Settlement Regulations at Dromore, which was cheaper, hut the quali'y was not so good as in the before-mtntioned block. This land was In 25-acre sections, and the annual rental was £2 Kh, or £1 5s every six months Then there were the ten-acre blocks at Winslow, the rental of which was 2s per acre. Mr March also spoke of village settlement land at South Rangitata, Waimate, and other parts of the provincial district, and distributed plans of the various blocks among those present. A question was asked as to how many genuine selectors and how many “dummies " had secured sections in the village settlement recently thrown open near Ashbutton, —Mr March said tha matter would very soon be decided. The sis months allowed under the regulations, would shortly expire, and If then any of the holders had failed to comply with the conditions, their sections would be forfeited at once. Mr March having impressed on the I meeting the importance of thoroughly ex- ' amlning the land before coming to any decision, a number of those present applied 1 for and received plans of the laod open for selection, with a view to inspecting the same prior to tbsir making formal appli cation. The mating, which jras most orderly through -tit, then terminated. , *