SMALL HOLIDINGS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3085, 23 April 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

SMALL HOLIDINGS.

The Age gives the following account of the Victorian Government's scheme for " settling people on the lands." Practical effect is about to be given to the proposal made by the Premier in his Carterton speech in regard to the establishment of homestead settlements under State auspices. The Minister of Lands had an interview with the Parliamentary draftsman, and submitted to him a general outline of the scheme, with a view to the preparation of a Bill to which the details of the proposal will be added as soon as they have been worked out by the Cabinet. So far as Mr McLean has considered the matter, he is of opinion that the Government will procoed in the following manner :—lnquiries will be made aa to the existence of land suitable for market gardens, vineyards, orchards and pig and poultry farms, and other farms of industry, near railway stations and centres of population. The approximate amount of labour that may be absorbed during the busy portions of the year by the sui rounding farmers will be next ascertained, aud tenders called from persons willing to sell land to the Government. It is believed that this arrangement will lead to compaction amongst the land-owneis, nml result in the Government yetting the land at a reasonable valuation. This done, it will bo cut up into suitable blocks, and, in all probability, a house erected on cacli one. The Government will then select from the candidates for blocks the most suitable men, preference being given to married men with families, and they will be placed in possession. The pnrehase by the hi >ok holler of the land will probably li-> carried out in the following manner : — L'res'.iminuf a, block costs £-200, tilt! holdrr will lie required to pay interest to the Stale for 30 years at the rate of o p.u , cunt, p r annum., that amounts to £(!. The total interest for the "0 years—£lSO, will at the commencement of tho contract be added to the purchase money, making £3SO,' and will have to be repaid in 30 annual instalments. Thus the amount of money required to be repaid each year in the .shape of interest and capital will be £12 13s 4d, which is equal to six per cent, on tho current balance. The land will be purchased by tho State with Treasury bonds having a currency of 33 years, and bearing interest at thy r.iti; of f> percent. Thus the State will gain I p:r cent, on the transaction, and at the mid of 30 years will receive back the whole of the purchase money, which will be employed, in redeeming the bonds on maturing three years later. Precautions will be taken

agah:st the possibility of litid boiug '•dummied." Tho right to transfer will be allowed but a title to the land will not be issued until the u hole of the purchase money has beeu repaid by the b'uek holder.