a—4

10

farming, bush land, fencing, and general all-round bush-work. Has no interest in any other land. Capital at his own absolute disposal. Owes no money. Has no partnership. Produced satisfactory evidence in support of his financial position, bank-book showing £121 16s. cash. Section granted; only applicant. Mr. Arthur James Young: Applicant for Section 55, Subdivision 26. States that he is twentyfour years old. Has a capital of £170. Has been amongst stock and doing general farm-work all his life. Employed ploughing up Matamata way last season. At present engaged as labourer, Auckland Gas Company. Married; wife has been on her father's farm all her life. Applicant's intention is to go in for dairying. Has no partnership. Owes no money. Holds no other land. Produced bank-book showing £95. Did not borrow money to make application. Approved. Mr. J. W. Simms, jun.: Applicant for Section 56, Subdivision 26. States that he is twentyeight years of age, and has capital of £300 in cash, as well as a wagon, horse, and the harness, valued at £65. Mr. Hollier, Te Awamutu, would provide him with £100 if successful. Showed documentary evidence to this effect. Also, his father had promised him £40. Was reared on a dairy and agricultural farm. Employed as a station-hand at present. Has no interest in any other land. No partnership. Owes no money. Capital at his own absolute disposal. Did not borrow money to make application. Passed. Mr. W. E. Robins called: Not present. Applicant for Section 100, Subdivision 27. Mr. Alfred Jane: Applicant for Section 100, Subdivision 27. Mr. Kelly represented Mr. Jane, and stated that he was a carpenter, and that he had £49 in the bank and a horse and trap. It was Mr. Jane's intention to follow up his trade at Matamata. Mr. Armstrong said that he believed there would be a great deal of building going on, and this would greatly assist Mr. Jane. Mr. Thompson said he knew Mr. Jane, who appeared to be a very active young fellow. Mr. Kelly stated that Mr. Jane had nine years' experience in general farming, and was for two years on Matamata Estate. Commissioner : Mr. Jane has only a capital of £49, and I consider this far too little to satisfactorily work a farm containing 172 acres like the section in question. Besides, there are a good number of applicants who are in a better position to work this farm, and it would be decreasing their chances of success. I feel that I shall have to oppose this application being approved for ballot. A division was taken as follows: In favour —Messrs. Greenslade and Armstrong; against— The Commissioner, and Messrs. Harris and Renshaw. Application refused on account of not having sufficient means. Mr. R. H. Heaslip: Applicant for Section 100, Subdivision 27. States that he is forty-three years of age. He has fifteen cows, six heifers, and three working-horses, valued at £250. Also, has a freehold of 29 acres at Cambridge worth about £174, and cash amounting to £50. Would dispose of freehold if successful in ballot. All stock and cash at his own absolute disposal. Free from debt. Has no interest in any other land except that at Cambridge. Has been farming all his life. Did not borrow any money to make application. Passed. Mr. R. MacLeod': Applicant for Section 100, Subdivision 27. States that he has £435 capital, made up with contracting plant and stock. Plant is valued at about £250. Cash in hand amounts to £185. Produced bank-book showing the amount of £154 Us. 2d. to his credit. Has had experience in general all-round farming, dairying, agricultural. Has been working for Assets Board, fencing, scrubbing, &c. Native of colony. Capital at his own absolute disposal. Is free from debt. Holds no other land. Has partner in contracting plant, but his own share is worth £250. Did not borrow money to make application. Passed. Mr. Francis Richmond: Applicant for Section 100, Subdivision 27. States that he is thirtyseven years of age and has £450 in cash. Supported his statement as to capital by production of bank-book showing £470 9s. 7d. Has had twenty years' experience in farming in Old Country and New Zealand. Understands dairying. At present, labourer on railway-line. Married. His wife has had fifteen years' experience. Consented to his name being struck out as an applicant for Section 101, as his wife has an application in for that section. Admitted that £325 of his capital was in his wife's name. Stated that he was getting more mone)' from Home. Was free from debt. Holds no other land. No partnership. Did not borrow money to make application. Passed. Mrs. Margaret Jane Richmond: Applicant for Section 101, Subdivision 27. Has had fifteen years' experience in farming. Is free from debt. Stated that she and her husband were applying for land. Had about £450 between them. Holds no other land. Did not borrow money to make application. Has no stock or implements. Is confident that she could make a living on section. Is expecting some money from Home. Passed. Mr. W. Thomson: Applicant for Section 100, Subdivision 27. States that he is about thirty years old and has a capital of £340. In support of statement produced bank-book showing that, he had £340 in cash. Has no stock. Has been fourteen years on a farm. Born in the colony. Is single, and does not hold any other land. Capital is at his own absolute disposal, and did not borrow any money to make this application. Is confident that he could farm section to advantage. Passed. Mr. Alfred Patty: Applicant for Section 100, Subdivision 27. States that he has a capital of £350. In support of statement he produced bank-book which showed £300. Has no stock.