Thames Valley Small Farm Association.

Thames Star, Issue 3417, 4 December 1879, Page 3

Thames Valley Small Farm Association.

A meeting of persons interested in the ■ettlement of the Tbanies Valley, oourened by Mr S. Stephenson, was held nt the Marine Hotel last uight for the purposo of getting a block of land set apart by the Gorernment cm tho principle of the Wellington Small Farm Association, and to work iv conjunction with that body if necessary. There vms but a limited attendance. Mr Stephensou was voted to the chair, and having read the advertisement calling the meeting, said he had seen a number of gentlemen at Wellington connected with the Small Farm Association, among them being many Thames gentlemen, who informed him that if they could get the thing on a proper basis, they would prefer settling in this district to Wellington if the same advantages could be offered to them ns in Wellington. He then read a letter from a member of the Wellington Farm Association. Mr H. K. Jury, which appeared in our columns a few days' since, also the prospectus of the Association. He suggested that they should discuss the matter, and theu get the Mayor to call a larger meeting, and form an Association. . Mr Morgan Morris said he hud been deputed by a number of small farmers at Home to open negociations for a block of land for settlement. They would pay for their passages and all their expensed, and if they could gel the land, they would be ont in a few months. Mr fticCuilough explniaed his doings in Wellington with respect to the Association. The Weliingon Association would be glad to assist them iv every respect. Mr Porter said that land for people at Home was not land for the people here. Ho spoke of the blocks of land available for settlement in the Upper Thames, suggesting that concerning one block which was ready, for survey might be obtained and draiued by the .settlers themselves, thus working off a portion of the purchase money. He moved that a Committee be appointed, consisting of 7 members, to take immediate Steps to see what land is at the disposal of the Waste Lands Board and report, the Committee to consist of Messrs McCullougb, Stephenson, McGowan, Stanley, Ellis, Morgan^Morris, and the mover. This was seconded by Mr MeCullough. Mr McGowan spoke on the advisability of having the members of the committee men who wished to take the land. He also referred to the advisability of affiliating the Thames Association to the Wellington Association on the principal that " Unity is strength." The resolution was then put and carried. ~* Mr Porter moved that a settlement association be established on the Thames, and that lists be left at the newspaper offices for the reception of the nana s of - persons willing to join, a fee of 2s 6d to De charged to meet preliminary expenses —applicants to state the amount of land they desire to take up. This was seconded by Mr Morgan* Morris, and carried. .--■--, The names of those present were then taken, and, after it had been decided that as soon as an answer is received from the Waste Lands BoareUhe committee should call another meeting, the meeting adjottrned. •