Gladstone Small Fatm Association.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 16, 18 July 1895, Page 2

Gladstone Small Fatm Association.

A meeting of members of the Gladstone small Farm Association was held at Glasgow House last evening, when about twenty members were present. Mr G. Anyon occupied the chair, and as delegate to Wellington to interview the Minister of Lands on business connected with the Association, he reported having ', seen Messrs J. Stevens and F. Pirani . M.H.R.'s, the former having introduced him to the Minister before whom he laid the several requests of the Association. The Minister informed Mr Anyon a purchasing clause could not bo inserted in the lease .To the bona fide settler the terms were very good as the land was first class and the Land Board had only valued it at 10s, los and £1 an '' acre. The rent was 4 per cent on this value and the rent on a 300-acre section would be £12 a year if valued at £1 an acre. When the improvements required were made there would be no difficulty ' in getting a transfer providing a declara--1 tion was made by the person taking the section that he was going to settle on it. The Minister had informed him provision would be made for selectors borrowing either from the Government or from private persons, in which case mortgages could be registered and the Government would protect the money-lender. Mr Stevens and others acquainted with the Block informed him the land was really good and the terms easy, but a selector must comply with the residential clause. Theconditions being maclo stringent to shut out speculators, it would be better for anyone in the Association who could not comply wtih the regulations to withdraw now, and the deposits they had paid would be weighted on the sections and refunded^ less expenses. The Government had definitely decided the Main Trunk Eailway should go through the Block. The payment of the balance of the. survey fees could not be deferred and all would have to be paid before the ballot could take place. Resolved, That seven days notice b§ given to every member of the Association to pay lip the remainder of their survey fees. Resolved, That, a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Anyon for the trouble he had taken on behalf of the Association. The position of the Association was discussed and the majority of those present decided to remain in the Association, several having to drop out as they could not comply with the regulations. Resolved, That votes of thanks be accorded to Messrs J. Stevens and F. Pirani for their assistance to the Association. The meeting then closed.