ASHBURTON VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 7926, 31 July 1886, Page 6

ASHBURTON VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

«. . A meeting of persons desirous of taking up land under the Village Special Settlements Regulations was held at the County Council Chambers last evening. There was a good attendance. Mr J. E. March, of Christchurch, was present for the purpose of affording any requisite information to the meeting. Mr March having stated the object of his visit, produced plans showing the lands open and about to be open in this locality —viz., reserves 1497,1769, and 1771, near Chertsey, 261 and 2022, near Dromore; and 1496, near Ashburton. He then read and fully explained the regulations. A number of questions were asked by those present, and satisfactorily answered by Mr March. The general opinion of the meeting seemed to be that good land, in moderately sized blocks, would be readily taken up under tbe regulations. Several enquiries were made as to the .land near Dromore, and also respecting Eeserve 1496, near Ajhburton. Samples of the soil from the latter reserve, taken from the surface, and also from a depth of IBin, were laid on the table, Mr March explaining that Mr Galloway, who was present at the meeting, had accompanied him to the land, and could confirm, if necessary, his remarks. At the conclusion of the meeting" several persons gave in their names as being desirous of taking up sections. We understand that all the sections of reserve 1496 will be applied for, and that applications have been received for nearly all those at Dromore. The latter are chiefly in 50-acre blocks, and are to be leased on the perpetual leasing system under section 161 of "The Land Act, 1885," the rental being two shillings per acre. The reserves near Chertsey and Ashburton are on perpetual lease as Village Special. Settlements under section 163 of the Land Act. The rental is from three to fir* shillings per acre.— Ashburton Guardian, July 30.