THE ALBERTLAND GAZETTE. OCT. 1, 1863. THE TOWN LANDS.

Albertland Gazette, Issue 5, 1 October 1863, Page 2

THE ALBERTLAND GAZETTE. OCT. 1, 1863. THE TOWN LANDS.

B"? a resolution of the Settlers,, the Trus^ tees are empowered to sell it their discretion, 75 acres of the Town Laricjs; 25 acres lying near the Government • Reserve in £ and 1 acre lots at the rate of £10 an acre as Town Land, on condition that the^purchaser shall either become a resident on it, or put up a house worth at least £20, within six months of paying his deposit;, and 50 acres lying furthe:: back, in 2, 3, 4 or 5 acre lots at the rate of £san acre, as Suburban Land, on condition that the purchaser shall clear the whole of it, and cultivate at least one fourth within twelve mouths of paying his deposit. This resolution, though opposed rather warmly by two or three individuals, was adopted by almost the entire body of settlers as;soon as the Town lands came into their own possession. Tbe aim and spirit of this resolution are easily seen. Our effort from the first bas been to lay the foundation of a, real not nominal town ; and we labor for this by facilitating the settling down in our town of those who either feel an interest in our Settlement, or may think it worth their while to come amongst us. Whilst we have studiously: avoided trumpeting the excellencies of Port Albert and raising1 a factious and short-lived fame, we have determined to remove every difficulty out of the way of those who, cherishing any affection for the pla,oe, may think to, make their home here. It is very probable that some of the land jjqwselling on the above conditions, might

realize a much higher price if put up to public auction in Auckland; but in that case it would fall into the hands of speculators, who might probably leave it untouched for the next 10 or 20 years, and the good their money would do the settlement would be outweighed by the obstruction of uncleared land and the consequent cramping of the development of the town. It is but right that the price should be lowered to those who are willing to submit to these conditions, while the conditions themselves ensure that the sale of the land shall give life and vigour to Port Albert. No distinction is herein made in favor of Albertland settlers. We merely ask that the purchaser of the land shall contribute something besides his mere purchase money, ( which he may one day receive back tenfold,) to the progress of the place. That is, we ask him to help in raising the value of his own property, instead of leaving it entirely to us to multiply tenfold his investment. All who come to dwell among us with such designs, we heartily welcome, come whence they may, and bear what name they may.

! In fixing these conditions, we had all due regard to their probable practical working. We compute that a man with a small household, devoting half his time to the cultivation of 3 or 4 acres of Suburban land would soon obtain a subsistence from it; the remaining half of his time he could profitably devote to his own calling, it'being generally supposed that a town resident is something more than an agriculturist. Were a shoemaker for instance resident at Port Albert, he might very well maintain himself by devoting half his time to his own trade; the cultivation of a few acres of suburban land would be so much clear gain in money, pleasure and health. The same may be said of a blacksmith, and,two or three other trades, for which thera is at present a demand. We do not see how the framers of these conditions could better have consulted the interests of Port Albert, and of all the holders of land in its vicinity.

ilt has been thought by some Albertlanders in Auckland, that they should have the option of the purchase of some of these lands, but without theimposition of these conditions, but we are not prepared to say how such a requisition might be met until it is formally made, as it has not lain in our path at all to consider the question. Doubtless an easy solution of any difficulty attending it would be found, supposingl their desire were not merely to make a profitable speculation in our lands. This we should not expect from an Albertlander. If he is assumed to have a special privilege of right in the Albertland settle-?, ment, he is of course on the same ground and to the same extent, assumed to have a special privilege of responsibility to it. Rights without duties have no existence. We will hot however, for one moment doubt, that every genuine Albertlander will be desirous. to cojnt.ribute to tile place/ as far

as he may wish to speculate mA C • Yfe will only add:now "thatittie sale is ' still in. progress,, and that f some of .the occupiers will ■ shortly bec(Dme|,posses&ed of ■ the freehold;