THE FREEHOLD SCRAMBLE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 15179, 17 December 1909, Page 9

THE FREEHOLD SCRAMBLE.

REMARKABLE REQUEST FROM HEATHCOTE. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, December 16. There does not seem to be any limit to the demands of those people who are moving to secure the freehold of portions of the national estate. Last year a resident in tho Heathcote district undertook to purchase a section of land in the Auckland province. He had not seen the land, but he paid down a sum of £52. When he did see the section he was disappointed and asked for his money back, and on the recommendation of the Lands Committee of the House of Representatives he was allowed a refund, the section naturally reverting to the State. The man is now petitioning Parliament again with a request that the land he forfeited shall be exchanged for another section. " In the event of another section being granted to me," he states, " I desire to settle on the East Coast, somewhere between Gisborne and Whakatane on an area about two hundred to- three hundred acres, well watered, covered by heavy bush, easy of access, on a lease with right of purchase. Failing the restoration of a section, then I pray for a sum in compensation for waste of time."

The following is the text of the petitions presented to Parliament by settlers occupying leasehold sections in the hamlets of Methuen, Cradock, Kitchener, Helena and Plumer, near Auckland.—" That your petitioners are desirous of obtaining the option of the freehold of their holdings at the original value, either by the creation of a sinking fund or by payment of a lump sum, after occupation for ten years. Your petitioners respectfully draw the attention of your honourable House to the fact that leaseholders under the Workers Dwelling Act 1905 have the option of obtaining the freehold, and as Parliament has recognised the principle of the option of the freehold it should be extended to them."