Small Farm Associations.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 71, 25 February 1885, Page 4

Small Farm Associations.

By special request we republ!sh the regulations for the formation of special settlements which appeared m these columns a few weeks ago. They are to the following effect : — Any Association of persons of not less than twenty-five who may be desirous of settling on Crown hinds adjacent to each other may arrange with the Government for a block of land. Any block of land to be selected under these regulations shall contain not less than 1500 acres, nor more than 10,000 acres ; and it shall be surveyed into areas of not more than 100 acres or there abouts. All surveys shall be conducted m accordance with the Surveyor-Gener-al's instructions. The cost of survey and roading, not exceeding, 2s 6d per acre shall be paid, say, m four instalments, three months to elapse between each payment. The association has' power to allot the sections as it may, with the Minister's consent, determine. Ohetenth the price of the whole block shall be paid prior to the allotment of the sections. This payment will be m satisfaction of the two first half-yearly instalments. Thereafter the payments shall be made by each purchaser every six months m advance at the rate of one- twentieth of the price of the land until the whole price has been paid up. The Government will from time to time repay to the local body one-third of the price of the land for expenditure on roads leading to the block. The purchaser shall be entitled to a Crown grant after six years, upon proof that he has fulfilled the conditions of settlement. Each purchaser shall, within two years from the date of his purchase,, bring into cultivation not less than one^fifth of his purchase, and shall, m addition, within six years, have put substantial improvements of a permanent character on the land to the value of £\ per acre. A purchaser leaving the district can. dis-. pose of his interest to another bona, fide settler, who shall be deemed to occupy the position of the original occupant. The Association has power to make such rules and regulations as they may deem necessary, subject to the approval of the Minister.