THE LAND HUNGER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2118, 28 June 1907, Page 4

THE LAND HUNGER.

YESTERDAY’S BALLOT

An expectant crowd of some 300 or 400 people assembled at the Drill Hall yesterday morning for the ballot in connection with the Hangaroa, Motu, and Mata sections, the gathering being representative of all parts of the district. A start was made at 11 o’clock, and proceedings, under tli 3 direction of Mr. T. N. Brodnck, District Lands Officer, continued until noon. . , . . Mr. Brodrick, having explained the procedure, called for two scrutineers, and Messrs. J. C. Nisbett and W E. Aluoyd were nominated and unanimously elected. The first ballot was for the Motu section, No. 7, block 6, 545 acres. On this the Department’s value was £1 per acre, and the rent £l4 per baityear o.r.p. There, were 174 applicants, and as Mr. Brodrick checked the nallies the scrutineers saw that the marbles tallied with the list. No. 21 application, that of Mr. Abbotsford Smith, was declared to be ineligible, as he was already the holder of two Crown leases, section 4 and 6, block 11, Motu; whilst No. ol (Mr. J. B. Clark) was also disqualified the applicant being interested as partner in two Crown leases, sections 6 and 7, block 10, Motu. It was also stated by the Lauds Officer that if any one of three married ladies was successful, she would be required to make a fresh declaration, as verbal errors hud been overlooked (regarding the areas) in tho forms. lwo other ladies had neglected to .state whetlier they were married or single, and amendment might also bo necessary in their case. “Let her go, Gallmjher!” came from the back, and Mr. Nisbett proceeded to vigorously shake the barrel-like receptacle in which the marbles were plaoca. “Turn the other way,” demanded the “gods” as Mr. Akroyd was about to dip, and he complied. Amidst a hush the plunge was made. “No. 166” was drawn, and the applicant came forward—a strapping big Native, Pomare Horsfall, of To ICaraka, who has been employed oil country road work. As lie was not known to the Lands- Office staff some demur was made about accepting his cheque, but Mr. C. Buseke, who was standing close by, promptly overcame the little difficulty. Next came the Hangaroa land, sec. ], block 10, 142 acres. On this the valuation was £1 per acre, and tlio rent £29 per half-year. In the opinion of many it was nearly as good an investment as the Waimata block, consequently there were 246 applicants. It took some time to check over tile names and the figures; some of the young colonials advising the staff to “Get a move oil, mates!” Finally Mr, Akroyd made the second “lucky dip,” and drew No, 216, Mr. W. S. Lumi, manager for the Gisborne Gas Works, was the applicant, and lie was greeted with loud applause as he came forward and paid tlio instalment.

For section 1, block 7, Mata, 185 acres, there were 125 applicants, of whom about 50 were Maoris. The terms were £2 3s 3d per acre, rental £lO per half-year. Less interest was manifested in this drawing, as the crowd dwindled to less than 100. It was agreed by those concerned that the numbers be left in the box, in case of a higher number than 125 being drawn, a further dip being necessary. No. 157 came to light first, followed bv 129. The winning number, No. 22, was then drawn, the applicant being Mr. Geo. F. Dobbie, iaborer, of Gisborne, who came forward with the fee.

It may be mentioned that all the successful applicants were under the 0.1 l .P. system. In the case of the four sections quite 90 per cent, of the applicants went for the freehold, either for cash or under o.r.p. conditions.