THE ALFREDTON MEETING.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume II, Issue 62, 7 March 1868, Page 3

THE ALFREDTON MEETING.

We publish a letter from Mr Joseph Masters which we have certainly been puzzled to understand, but we give it to our readers and leave it to them to make what they can of it. It runs as follows:—

(To the Editor of the Wairarapa Mercury.) Sir, —You like many others seem to he laboring under a very grave mistake, I was not authorised to make any promises, nor did I do so, I was given to understand by the Government that the laud at the Moroa would be £l per acre, and the same conditions as to occupancy as the Manawatu, but in order to save trouble I proposed to the Government that the sum of twenty-five per cent, should be paid into the hands of the Treasurer, as a guarantee for the Government to survey the sections aud make main roads according to the Manawatu regulations. In answer to this I received the following reply:—

“Provincial Secretary’s Office, “ Wellington, 10th August, 1868. “ Sir, —I am in receipt of your letter of the 25th July and Bth instant on the subject of the Moroa Small Farm Association now being formed.

“ I must apologise for not having sooner replied to your former letter which arose from an accident that was quite unforeseen. “ The proposal contained in this letter has the approval of the Government, at the same time it must be distinctly understood that it shall not be construed into an intention on the part of the Government to sell land on a system of deferred payments which is contrary to the existing Land Regulations, which I presume, according to the tenor of your letter, is not the intention of yourself or the Committee.

“ Three years to be given and the same conditions observed as to occupancy as those of the Manawatu Block. “ I am Sir, “ Your obedient servant, “ \\ r . Hickson, Prov. Sec.” Sir, I was perfectly aware when the price was reduced to JOs., that an immediate call would be made npon the members, and I told them so, aud to those who are prepared with the cash, I consider it a great boon. Grey town and Masterton settlers had to pay cash, with far more difficulties to contend with than the Moroa settlers will have, besides the Government will give a grant of fifty acres, which neither Grey town nor Masterton received, and a large majority.of actual settlers are very well satisfied with Mr Holdsworth’s propositions. I have acted no part that I have reason to be ashamed of, and I am willing to resign my offices at any moment when called upon by members of the Association, but I shall not flinch whilst I can he useful, whatever slurs you or your contemporary may cast upon me. Y'our's truly, ■ Joseph Masters. P.S. —This is the truth, you may make whatever observations you may think proper. J. M.

Now we would ask Mr Masters (aud we have no doubt he will answer the question at the meeting on Monday next), at what meeting of the Association was it that he informed the shareholders that the Government required immediate cash payments for the selections ? Was it at the meeting in Greytowu when he and the rest of the Committee were informed by His Honor the Superintendent that the land was to be 10s an acre instead of a £1 ? Or, was it after his return from Wellington where he had been informed that the Provincial chest was nigh empty aud needed replenishing P We are pleased to notice that Mr Masters has taken an early opportunity to call a meeting of the shareholders to explain his actions to them. The meeting will be held on Monday evening next at the Masterton Schoolhouse and what remarks we have to make will he reserved until after that meeting has taken place.