CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9674, 13 December 1909, Page 5

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

A PETITION TO THE MINISTER. The following is the text of a petition which Mr John Hu iter is taking round for signature, and which is to be presented ti the Minister of Lands at an early date It is Mr Hunter's intention to sacure as many signatures as possible to the list from :.Il parts of the district, and he in hopeful that it will have a good effect: To the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, P.'C., K.C M.G.. Premier and Minister of Lands,, Wellington. Sir, — We, the undersigned residents of Masterton and dis'rict, being desirous of land being secured by the Government for closer settlement purposes for the benefit of the Masterton electorate, he»-ebv humbly pray that the block of land consisting of a''Out 18,000 acres situate at the East Coast to the north of Masterton, and now under offer to the' Land Purchase Board, be acquired if found suitable for subdivision. Also the Bowlands estate, consisting of 16,000 acres, tiiteen miles from Masterton.

The acquisition of these estates would further closer settlement very materially and be of distinct advantage to the district. There is a strong demand for small holdings by many wishing to go upon the land, and the opening ud of the properties under offer would partially fill a long felt want. The acquirement of the blocks herein mentioned would probably be followed by other large holdings being offered for subdivision, and thus threat advantage would accrue to this district consequent on the increase of trade brought about by the much desired closer settlement. We feel that the future prosperity of this district, to a great extent, depends upon closer settlement being furthered, and the assistance of the Government in this respect would De a great boon. And your petitioners will ever humbly pray.