CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10716, 10 September 1912, Page 5

CLOSER SETTLEMENT

LEAGUE FORMED IN 31ASTERTON. A meeting was held in the Borough Chambers, iVlasturton, last evening, to discuss the question of clo'der settlement in the Ma iter ton district.."

Mr J. M. Coradine, Mayor of Masteron, presided, and about a dozen Borougn councillors and citizens were present. Mr Coradine explained the object of the meeting, and said mat. the question of closer settlement liac!. been much discussed oi late, and although many good opportunities had been lost in.tlie past ol' acquiring suitable country at reasonable cost, there might still be time to do much permanent good throughout the district, in the direction of settling tno land.'

The question of tho Government ac- j quiring Mr Stone-Wigg's Westmere property was fully discussed, Messrs A. C. Cooper and E.- Smith giving a certain amount of information regarding tho land, and its suitability for subdivision purposes. Mr J. C. Ewington stated that lie ( was informed by Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P., that there was' a property jn the vicinity of Masterbon, which would probably be offered to the Government shortly. Ho thought the question of closer settlement should be taken up energetically by the citizens of Master ton. In, answer to a question, Mr A. Cooper said that he did not think j the price asked for Mr Stone-Wigg's , property was out of the way. j Mr J. Brown suggested that a man j should bo sent to go over the property in company with the Government, officials so that the Government would not be advised to acquire land that would not prove adaptable to closer j settlement.

Mr J. C. Ewington endorsed the; opinions expressed by Mr Brown, and suggested that one or two experienced men be selected to go over the property and report at a future meeting. It" was decided, upon the motion of Mr J. C. Ewington, that those present form themselves into a League for the advancement of closer settlement.

Mr Eli Smith wa3 appointed secretary of the League for the ensuing year. It was decided, on the motion of Mr J. Brown, that the annual sub-, scription for membership be fixed at £l.

Mr J. M. Coradine wps appointed treasurer, the chairman and secretary to work on the banking account. It was decided that two experienced land-valuers bo appointed, and asked to inspect the property at Westmere, and to forward a report,as to the suitability of the land in question for close" settlement. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.