MR. SHEPHERD'S RESOLUTIONS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 148, 8 December 1870, Page 6

MR. SHEPHERD'S RESOLUTIONS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — I enclose you a copy of land resolutions, proposed by me in the Provincial Council, and shall be obliged by your publishing the same in your next issue. — I am, &c, T. L. Shepherd, M.P.C. for the goldfields. December Ist, 1870.

" Ist. That this Council is of opinion that free selection of Crown Lands within the province of Otago, without restrictions, would be ruinous to the future interests of the province, both as regards revenue and population, and would probably result in the best lands of the province passing into the hands of the pastoral tenants and speculators. This Council is, therefore, of opinion that free selection should not be adopted, nor any alterations made in the Otago Waste Lands Act, 1866, or the Southland Waste Lands Act, 1865, and Amendment Act, 1867, without the express recommendation of this Council. — Carried.

" 2nd. That free selection should only be permitted throughout the province subject to the following conditions, namely, — (a.) That applicants shall have the power to select land to the extent of 320 acres throughout the province, subject to the provisions of the existing Goldfields Act and Regulations in force in reference to auriferous lands. (&.) That upon selection a Certificate shall issue to the applicant, which shall authorise him to occupy such land for two years, subject to the condition that he shall fence and improve same, and put under crop not Sess that one acre in ten, and the payment of two shillings and sixpence an acre per annum by way of rent, such certificates not to be transferable, (c.) That at the expiration of two years fcem the issue of the Certificate, the holder of same having complied with the conditions contained in Certificate under Clause (&), ahall be entitled to purchase his allotment upon payment of fifteen shillings per acre, or to a lease for the same for the term of six years, subject to the payment of the same yearly rent of two shillings and sixpence an acre, (d.) That in the

event of the holder of the allotment electing to take a lease, he shall be entitled to a Crown Grant at any time for same, upon paying the difference between tke - amount he shall have paid by way of rent, whether under Certificate or Lease, and the sum of 203. per acre, (c.) That t^on the termination of such lease and performance of the covenants therein contained, the lessee shall be entitled to a Crown Grant without any further payment. (/.) That land should be permanently set aside as Commonages, for the use of free selectors, to the extent of one acre for every acre selected, such lands to be such as are not adapted for agriculture, (g.) That no selector shall be able to hold more than 320 acres under lease or license, —negatived. " 3rd. That the above resolutions shall apply to lands both, within and without Hundreds ." — vnthdrawn.