THE FREE GRANT LANDS OF CANADA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 40, 14 November 1868, Page 6

THE FREE GRANT LANDS OF CANADA.

In our last issue we gave some account of the land laws of Chili ; but our readers will see from what follows that not only South, but also North America are bidding for Europe's surplus population. These lands are in the Muskoka district, about 150 miles from Toronto, where there is a brisk demand-for agricultural produce. Tae climate ia excellent, the winter, though severe, bein rendered by the habits of the people the most pleasant portion of the year. Indian corn does well in many places, and splenlid crops of potatoes, pease, oats, turnips, and all sorts of vegetables have been raised. A correspondent of a home paper gives the following account of the advantages offered by the Canadian Government to settlers :—" The lands here have been sold for 70 cents (35.) an acre cash, or $1 (4s. 2d.) on time ; but under the new Free Grant-law most of it will be given free. Under the provisions of this law, the head of a family will be able to secure 100 acres for himself, and' a like amount for each of his family over eighteen years of age. Thus, several hundred acres may be secured in a block. The conditions required under this Act are residence upon tho land for five years. - There must bo cleared during this time at least fifteen acres, of which at least two must be cleared each year. In addition, the necessary houses and barns must be erected. • These are always of wood, and generally what are called log-houses, the trunks* of the trees piled on each other forming the walls. At the end of five years, these conditions having been complied with, the land is granted by the Crown. By the same law, the settler's homestead, if it remains in the possession of himself or, liis family, cannot be seized for debt for twenty years. One hundred acres is enough at first for a man with Cfeited means. Often 100 acres are Sufficient to make a farm, but in geneKd It would -require 209 or 300 acres Wf^n^^^^^m in this district, with v &* the plough and

of Caxxib^usm. of. a credible naturej^^^^^^^Bhe Government, that the Kowaru, exceeding in villainy anything s yet _• heard in New Zealand since the very first days of its colonisation, has frintiarded to the inland tribes of this isTind some potted meat, made of the Ueah. of our poor fellow-countrymen wbg^fell m the late disaster at the Front. ij|he purport of this .horrible j^actice,yi\iß scarcely; ! necessary to remark, j^jto inflame' the ferocity of the natayeirof th£ in-; tenor, from whom this scoundrel expacts assistance. Some small kegs of! thia horrible food have found their way, it was stated, to the. Waikata' district, and had been seen amongst* the tribes located near Lake' Taupo-. Well might the lucubrations of Exeter Hall and its friends be once for aH (disregarded by all colonists, who should j really leave aside all feelings but those of retributive justice in dealing with ruffians capable of committing suchabominable crimes,