PELORUS GUARDIAN TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1892. Our Crown Lands.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 3, Issue 93, 13 December 1892, Page 2

PELORUS GUARDIAN TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1892. Our Crown Lands.

Published under the authority of the Hon. John McKenzie, Minister of Lands, and issued by that. Department, is a small pamphlet containing a summary or synopsis of " The Land Act, 1892." It is very well compiled, and will supply a good deal of valuable information to those people who wish to acquire Crown lands under the different tenures now provided by the new Statute. It shows the area of land available for pastoral and future settlement is represented by 10,000,000 acres Crown lands, 10,000,000 acres Native land, and 4,000,000 acres set aside for Midland Railway, making a total of 24,000,000 acres altogether. Of course, the land varies in character, from open grass country to dense bush, which requires clearing before any returns can be expected, but settlement is making steady and satisfactory progress, for during the year 1891-92 no less than 1,854 persons took up holdings varying from 1 acre to 1,000 acres, and 99 others took up land in blocks of 1,001 acres and upwards; The average-sized holding for the last few years is 220 acres, but in February last we still had less than 40,000 agricultural and pastoral holdings in the whole colony. Crown lands are divided into three classes—town, village, and suburban lands are sold by auction, rural lands, which include pastoral are classified as first—not less than Ml per acre, and second-class not less than 5s per acre, and may be sold by auction or declared open for application under the optional system. No person can select more than 640 acres of first or 2,000 acres of first and second-class land, including in that area any land he then holds. All lands henceforward purchased for cash must be improved within seven years, the owner only receiving a certificate of occupation until he has fulfilled the conditions, but there is nothing to prevent him doing all the improvements at once and then get his Crown grant. Applicants may now take up land under a license for twenty-five years at a rent of 5 per cent, on its cash value, and after occupying it for ten years and making certain improvements can acquire the freehold, or during the next fifteen years can exchange the license for a lease in perpetuity. Of course, residence and improvements are compulsory, but the latter includes clearing from bush and laying down in artificial grasses, so that exactly covers the requirements of this district. Small grazing runs are divided into two classes—first, not to exceed 5,000 acres, and second-class limited to 20,000 acres, the rent being 2£ per cent, on the capital value of the land, which must be calculated at not less than 5. per cent, per annum, and the term 21 years, with right of renewal for the same period. When lands are notified under the optional system persons may take a lease in perpetuity (999 years) and only paying a rent equal to 4 per cent, on the cash value of the land, but residence and improvements are also compulsory. Now, taken as a whole, the present land-laws are the most suitable and most liberal for the requirements of the colony, thns giving encouragement to future settlement and reflecting the greatest credit on our present practical and deservedly popular Government.

Farmers and settlers will be glad to know that Mr Coward, of Renwicktown, who is a thorough good tradesman, announces in this issue that he is ready to undertake any work in connection with his business, and will complete it with despatch. In passing through Renwicktown travellers will notice the Globe Hotel, which has long been favourably known throughout the district, has now passed into the hands of Mr Ryan, and we can assure visitors they will receive every comfort and attention from the present proprietor. Mr T. Sewerd, who recently took over the George Hotel in J?icton, has been making extensive improvements to the premises, so that his accommodation is first-class, and he reminds his old and new friends through these colums where their comforts can be attended to. Mr Cochrane, inspe«ior of Mines for Westport, Nelson, and Marlborough, and whose head-quarters 'are at the former place, and his principal work among the coal-mines, has just been making an official visit to this part of his district, and inspecting the Waikakaho plant and some of the Cullensville alluuial claims. We hope to hear a favourable report of our mining industry. Country settlers who visit Blenheim are reminded by Mr Fred Cooper in another column that he can always movide lunch for them at any time in the day.

at Rlftcls)alfr ow\ Saturday, the Pet and Gleii'caira, nom i Picton and Wanganui resp l ectifslyf// [< Our old friend Mr W. S*-Walscfe of Renwickiown, announces that he can supply all kinds of furniture, besides a variety of other things, and, judging from his sample on show, customers will no doubt be fully satisfied. The 'candidates for the Tinline Scholarship must be in attendance at the Library next Wednesday and Thursday at 9.30 a.m. Rev. E. Ensor will act as Supervisor. We hear complaints on every side of the delay in receiving the 'Frisco mail. One resident • received two letters via Nelson on Friday, and on Saturday morning we received Thursday night's Wellington Post, yet the 'Frisco mail did not reach Havelock until 4.30 on Saturday afternoon. Surely there has been unnecessary delay somewhere. There will be a sitting of the R. M. and Warden's Court at Cullensville to-day, and at Havelock to-morrow. The fishing party down at Bulwer are still busy at. their work for the Wellington market,, and as all the Union Company's,; steamers stop off the mouth of the Sound to take in the fish, except the Penguin, Mr McCauley has just been to Wellington to see if that steamer also cannot pick up the fish when passing. We 16ok forward to the day when Bulwer will be a •receiving and discharging depot, and all the Company's steamers will find sufficient trade to induce calling when on their way to and from Nelson.

We would remind owners that nominations for the Havelock Hurdles, Havelock Oup, and Pelorus Stakes close on Saturday next, the 17th inst. Tenders for privileges in connection with the Pelorus Races close on the same day. A ship (says the PiGton Press) is not complete without a figurehead, and the Ship Hotel has just been ornamented with one in the shape of an elaborate sign representing a man-o'-war under full sail. The painting is, we believe, the work of Mr F. Paine, of Blenheim, and is an appropiate ornament to the hotel. A whale sixty feet long has been stranded qn the beach near New Plymouth-

The Australian wool market has a weakening tendency, and also the Home market.

The American imports from Australasia during 1892 shows an increase of two and a quarter million dollars.

Three sections of land in the Rai Valley and several others in different pxrts of the district are offered for sale by the Commissioner of CrownlLands. Messrs Smale & Hay-announce that they are holding a safe* for a few days at London House, Blenheim.

A domestic servant at Dunedin has obtained £IBO from a road-mender named Frances for breach of promise. The result of the race from Auckland to Sydney between the Mararoa and Warrimoo was that the,former did the distance in 84h. 13ni M or 15 knots an hour, and the latter in 91h. 15m., or 14 knots an hour.

Several outrages by brigands aj?e reported from "Poland. One family of six was murdered and robbed* in a village hotel The murderers have been arrested. The direct steamer Doric arrived in Wellington yesterday. She brought 182 passengers for New Zealand. Mr H. Dodson has sent in his resignation as Captain of the Marlborough Mounted Rifles, and Lieutenant Chaytor has been electedin his place. ■ A consignment of 1,000 bales of flax, sent Home by Messrs Clouston & Co., realised £26 per ton, which is considered a very profitable price, and shows that the Marlborough Mills must turn out an article of first-class quality. At the R. M. Court, .Nelson, Mr J. A. Orsman obtained a verdict of MO, with £l2 costs against the City Council for negligence in allowing tar to be ejected into a creek and on the mudflat, by whieh his horses were injured.

The remains of, the late Mrs R. W. Pope were followed to their last resting place on Sunday by a large number of relations and friends, the burial service being impressively read by the Rev. Mr Harker, ■ ■

We are told that some of the piles under the grand-stand at the Racecourse want looking to, so it would be advisable for the Stewards to have them inspected before the next meeting A two-roomed cottage in the Pelorus Sound is adyertised tQrlet, E. J. Warner & Co, Drapers, Trafalgar- and Brid'ge-st?eets7 Nelson; Hesire to draw attention.; ia ' 'the facilities they possess of supplying costumes of all descriptions at most reasonable prices on a few hours notice, will esteem it a favour if visitors to Nelson will call and inspect their establishment be'fore leaving. They are making great preparations for Xmas trade, and ale 'noted lor having in stock only the best class o'f goods at the lowest margin ot profit fost-cards or letters addressed Warner and Co., Nelson, will find them immediately.—Advt,