THE MOTUKARAKA VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9153, 7 September 1888, Page 3

THE MOTUKARAKA VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.

A meeting of the Motukaraka village settlers was held 011 August 28 at Mr. Danaher's residence to pass resolutions strengthening the hands of our member in his efforts to convert our leaseholds into freeholds. The meeting was a thoroughly representative one, about twenty settlers being present. All Seemed determined to stick to their sections, and, with the exception of a few grievances, whic'h, as Britishers, they have a right to, seemed well satisfied. Some interest is being taken in local politics, there being three candidates amongst the settlers for seats in the County Council, and two from Kohukohu. The old members seem to be retiring in favour of new blood, and want to see what sort of a fist they will make of it. The settlement is going ahead fast, and every visit of the village steward snows greater improvement. Every settler has his patch of grass, some as much as twenty acres ; fifteen or them have cows; some one, some two and more. We all grow our own potatoes; for my own part, I have been eating new potatoes every day for three months. Altogether, the place is a success, and but one thing is wanting to make us thoroughly satisfied, and that is the option of taking up our Crown grants at some future time. I don't think there will be much fear of mortgaging, as tl\ose who can pay back the Government advances won't mortgage, and those unable to do so can't. The tollowing resolutions were passed at the meeting" That this meeting is of opinion that the country would be more permanently settled under a freehold than under a leasehold system;" " That our member, R. Hobbs, Esq., be urgently requested to use his best endeavours to secure to the village settlers the option, at some future time, of converting their leaseholds into freeholds " That, in accordance with a letter received from the Surveyor-General as regards paying 15s per acre for cropping as well as grassing, the village steward be requested to comply with the instructions " That Mr. Stephens be requested to communicate with Mr. Hobbs, and forward him a copy of these resolutions. —[A Correspondent.]