Sandon Small Farm Association.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 144, 23 May 1885, Page 2

Sandon Small Farm Association.

... X.general meeting of tho abovo association' was held last Monday evening. Present-^Mr J. Bpwatcr, /chairman), and about 50 members.

The; secretary (Mr C. H. Tomlinsoni said that,. as instructed by the coinjnittee, he had written to the Government, asking whether the association would have' to pay for land taken for public roads and reserves'. 1 "Ro ; had received a reply from the Under-Se' retary for Lands' stating that the association would have to pay for the whole block. Tim secretary ppiuted out to the members how' their present difficulty had arisen. It would be remembered that tho association applied for a portion of the Otamapua Block, containing. 9,850 acres. It was decided that the association should consist of 80 members, who would tak«up 8,000 acres. The roadß would absorb übout 50 acres, township 200, leaving 1,600 acres from which to take rereserves. The niombers were full}*persuaded when they first entertained the proposal to go into the matter, that, they would have to pay. only for the land which they intended taking up, and it was believed that the land necessary for roads and reserves would be given by the Government. With regard to land* tor the township, it was understood that the members would be at liberty to take up if they thought fit. It was afterwards thought, from a porusal of tho regulations, etc., that the association would have to pay for the whole block— .£9,Bs0 — or, m other words, that' all roads, reserves, etc., which were protty numei> \ous, would have to bo paid for by the association. Hence tho communication to the Government, and the reply recehred, which continued this opinion. To make matters, absolutely clear, the secretary said he had again written to tho Government, but had not up to the present , received any further reply. Now, this meant that each member, instead of having to pay for his 100-acre section, and survey of the same, amounting m all to £112 10s, at the outside, would have to bear a proportion of the cost of roads and reserves, which would bring his payment up to .something like £2 per acre, instead of a trifle over £1. A long discussion ensued on the position, several members affirming that they thought it would b-3 preferable to take land under the deferred-payment system /Ciither than go on with the association. 'They were quite willing, however, to taks ;'np the land at the price first stated — £1 J vpfeivacre — if the Government would give ;i| the roads and reserves. l':'i Mr Anderson, Mr Bowater, and Mr !/Eomlinson -suggested that the association j^liould continue . on as at present until 1 -.'ljaniamttut met, when it might reasonably '^•^expected *' lat urt ' ier concessions be made to. Small Farm Associa--After a discussion, the follow resolution 'tois carried :— „ Proposed by the Secretary, seconded by Mr G. II. Hirst, "That this association continue as at present, till it be seen whether the Government intend to make any further concessions re roads, reserves, aud the residential clause ; add that each member continue to pay the'jEl per month, the secretary to write to other associations, with a view of getting united action on these poiots, and then to make representations to the various M H.H's. m the district, with a request that they endeavour, during tKo session, to obtain the concessions asked for." i Resolved, " That all members being m arrear more than one month with their instalments, be struck off the roll." j Tins concluned the business, and the meeting adjourned sine die. — Marton