VILLAGE SPECIAL SETTLEMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1568, 22 March 1887, Page 3

VILLAGE SPECIAL SETTLEMENT.

There was a large attendance at the Ternuka Courthouse last evening to hear Mri.E. March, Steward of Village Special Settlements, explain the regulations with r.'gnrd.'to these settlements. Mr March seated in the first place that the Commissioner of Crown Land would come down shortly and deal with the extension of the sections in the Arowhenua Village Settlement. He would not deal with that matter, but he would fully explain the regulations with regard to special settlements. He then read several advertisements, and gave information as to where many of the settlements were situated. Some were situated in Terauka, Orari, Geraldine, Hinds, Wina'ow, Rakaia, Hakateramea, and so on, the area of the blocks varying from one acre to 60 acres, and the annual rental from Is to 10a per acre, according to quality and situation of the land. In order to save trouble and expense to intending settlers he would attend in Temuka next Tuesday and secure their app icalious, but he thought it well to explain the regulations well beforehand. The land would be let on a perpetual lease, for a term of 30 years, and after that for 21 years, without the right of purchase, at an annual rental of 5 per cent on the capital value of the land. Married men would have preference, and no lease could be transferred without the consent of the Commissioner. A sum of £2O would be allowed selectors to assist them in the building of a home on the

land, and each selector wou'd be required to reside on his selection. A dwellinghouse would be required to b 6 put up within six months of the dile of the selection, und no money would be advanced until the house was completed. No person having already au interest in more than one acre of land would be eligible as a selector. Each selector must within one year cultivate one acre, and within four years the half of tho remainder of his holding, and permanently improve tho land by erecting fnnces, laying down in English g«ss, removing timber, etc. No selector would be allowed to subdivide or sublet

his holding, but the Commissioner of Crown Lands would allow them to be transferred, provided all the conditions were complied with. Selectors failing to comply with the conditions won Id forfeit their interest in them. Mr March explained these regulations very fully and minutely, giving many instances of how they would work, and then iDtimated that he was prepared to answer any questions which anyone present desired to ask. He also produced plans of

tha various settlements formed and to be formed in Canterbury, giving every necessary information with regard to them. A Voice : These selections are not for the Arowhenua people. They are for outriders 1 ■ Mr March read the advertisement with regard to Arowhenua extension, and said that the sons and daughters of the present settlers could apply for these sections provided they had attained the age of 17 years and did not own more thaa one acre of land.

Mr Washington asked would he be allowed to take up one of these sections, and still live in tho house he now occupied ?

Mr March said he thought not, but as he had complete i the purchase of his present holding, if he did not own more than one acre of land, he could apply for one of the sections, but he must comply with the regulations as to residence. Mr Washington asked whether their holdings wou'd be extended to the creek? Mr March said Mr Biker would be down shortly and settle the matter.

Mr Washington said the people of Temuka were trying to stop the extension of their holdings to the creek. He hoped Mr March would convey to the Commissioner their desire to get their sections extended.

Mr March said he would be happy to do so, but at the same time he would be compelled to tell them also that there were a large number of settlers opposed to it.

Mr Cunard said they were Temuka people. Mr March assured them that many of the settlers in the village settlement were opposed to it. On the motion of Mr Mclnness, seconded by Mr Goodey, a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr March, and the meeting terminated.