THE LAND QUESTION. GREAT PUBLIC MEETING. THE LAND QUESTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 125, 30 June 1870, Page 5

THE LAND QUESTION.

GREAT PUBLIC MEETING.

A crowded meeting of agricultural leaseholders wos lield at CoghilTs Bridge Hotel on Monday evening last. The objecl of the meeting was to consider what steps should be taker towards memorializing the General Assembly to so amend the Leasing Regulations that the rant will go towards the purchase money of the land. D. G. Poison, Esq., occupied the chair, and, after stating the object of the meeting, called upon Mr. Browne to propose the first resolution, which, was as follows :—": — " That in the opinion of this meeting, all moneys paid by agricultural leaseholders on the goldtields in the form of rent, should go towards the purchase money of the land — in other "words that all agricultural leaseholders, whose term of three years has expired, and who have paid their rents, viz., 2s Cd per acre per annum, be accredited with the full amount of 7s 6d. per acre ; such sum to be considered part of the one pound purchase money charged for the land." Mr. Edie seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Frazer then moved, "That as agriculture is bound to become one of the principal industries of Otago, if the foregoing resolution becomes law, the occupation and acquisition of land will be rendered comparatively easy, and one of the greatest barriers to settlement on the goldfields of Otago, be removed." Mr. Grundy seconded the resolution, which, on being put, was unanimously carried. A committee consisting of Messrs. Brown, Grundy, Poison, Draper, Corry, Frazer, and Bussfc, was appointed to draw up a memorial embodying the above resolution. Mr. Grundy thenmoved that the tmemorial be forwarded to the House of Repre~ sentatives, and committed to the care of James Macandrew, Esq., M.H.R. After the proposer gave satisfactoryreasons for adopting this course, ther meettng unanimously agreed to the motion Mr. Grundy commented severely on the conduct of the goldfields representatives in not meeting the electors previous to the opening of the Assembly. Messrs. Frazer and Grundy Tere appointed a deputation to wait on some of the settlers about Lawrence, and endeavour to get up a public meeting and a similar memorial. After a vote of thanks to the chairvaas; the meeting separated.