LAND SETTLEMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 9994, 24 March 1893, Page 6

LAND SETTLEMENT.

BALLOT AT THE LAND OFFICE. Yesterday afternoon a ceremony, which fully indicated the necessity for providing land for bona fide applicants, took place at the Land Board room, in the old Provincial Council Chamber. An association calling itself “The Christchurch Special Settlement Acsoeiation,” was formed about twelve months ago, with the object of acquiring » block of land in. the North Island for the members and their families to settle upon. Meetings of the Association were held in the workshop of Mr Thomas Lawrence, Perry road, and delegates were appointed to inspect and report upon any euitable site in the North Island for tho Association to acquire. This has occupied some time, and considerable expense has been incurred, as all the available land was inspected by one or more of the members of the Association. Final selection was made of an urea in the Wellington Provincial district, situated within the Puketoi survey block. The land lies to the east of the railway line, between Masterton and Eketahana, and is about thirty miles south of Pahiar tua. It is all bush, excellently watered, and is said to be composed of rich soil. Some of the members of the Association are now in the district engaged in various ways, either with the survey parties or at road-making. lu order to give a majority of the members of the Association every facility for seeing the ballot conducted, tho Land Department arranged, at the Association’s request, that it should take place in Christchurch, and yesterday was the date fixed. At the time appointed fourteen out of the twenty-seven members attended, and were afforded every opportunity of inspecting all the details in connection with the settlement before the ballot should take place. It being Land Board day, Mr J. W. A. Mar chant, tbe Commissioner of Crown Lands, was too busy to attend during the whole of the ballot, but asked the members present if there was any information he could give. In answer to a question he stated that ho had received no information as to the value placed on the land, but he presumed that would be decided as soon as the survey was completed. The Asaociation might rest assured that a fair valuation would be placed on it. During a conversation that followed, a gentleman present, who was connected with another Settlement Association, oaid tho price was not always to hand when the ballot was taken.

A vote was then taken to decide whether tbs ballot should be proceeded with or whether tlie meeting should adjourn till the value was supplied. It was unanimously resolved to proceed. Mr Marohant told tha Association that each member could choose whether to taka up hia section subject to the regulations under the Land Act of 1892, or those under the Act of 1885; but, aa each was signed for, it would be necessary for tho holder to state under, which code be elected to hold the land.

Mr Merchant then retired, leaving Messrs C. Shanks (chief of the map department) and J. Williams (Receiver of Lend Revenue) to conduct tha ballot. This was done with every attention to detail, and was certified to by the Chairman as being correctly drawn, and tha proceedings closed.

The twenty-seven members each secured a block of two hundred acres, and in caees where a father and two sons were applicants, the throe names were attached, so that their blocks adjoin each other. Out of the thirty-two blocks, the Crown balloted for fivo, and got such as fell to its lot.

The members of the Association present expressed their satisfaction at the manner in which the ballot had been conducted, asid aleo appeared pleased that this stage of the proceedings had been reached. They belong : catefiy to the artisan class, only .a'few of .them ,being engaged in farming operations. ■ , ...