CROOKSTON.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 186, 1 February 1878, Page 6

CROOKSTON.

A public meeting was held in Mr Rae's Junction Hotel, on the 19th inst., for the purpose of considering the advisability of petitioning the Waste Lands Board to throw open for selection in extended areas the two blocks of land lately surveyed on Spylaw run either under the Deferred Payment or Agricultural Lease system. There were about forty settlers present, and Mr James Bennet, member of County Council, was called to the chair.

The Chairman expressed his gratification at seeing so many present to consider a matter of so much importance to the district. He was also glad to see so many neighbours in attendance from Ht-rriot, and Tapanui Hundreds, as not later than three years ago ho assistance was available from these quarters. He believed all tbe land in the Crookston district, included in blocks I to XV., was taken up, and the demand was still as great as ever. There was a number of small settlers in tbe district anxious to extend tbeir holdings and become squatters on a smnll scale, .and be saw no reason why every opportunity should not be given to honest, and industrious men to place themselves in such a position. He would call upon Mr Stevenson to move the first resolution.

Mv Stevenson then moved that a petition be drawn up and addressed to the Waste Lands Board praying that all the land in blocks XVI. find XvTL, lately surveyed should be thrown open under deferred payment or agricultural lease, in sections not to exceed 500 acres each. The motion was seconded by Mr Edie, and carried unanimously.

A petition was then drawn up embodying the resolution, and setting forth the urgent necessity for a compliance with its prayer. Three copies of the peti f ion were made — one for the Herriot Hundred district, one for the Teviot, and one for the Beaumont — signatures to which were, to be obtained to enable the petition to be forwarded in time for the next sitting* ot the Board.

Messrs Beighton, Stevenson, and M'Kay were appointed to take charge of the petition.

Mr James Beighton then proposed that the township reserve of TOO acres in the Crookston district be surveyed into building allotments, leaving* a church and school reserve. The motion was seconded and carried.

After some further discussion the meeting terminated.