Carterton Special Settlement Association.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1797, 19 February 1886, Page 2

Carterton Special Settlement Association.

A general meeting of the members of the Carterton Speoial Settlement Association was held at Mr F, H. Wood's Auction Boom, Carterton, on Wednesday night. All the members and several intending members ware present, the meeting being remarkably well attended. Ur G. M. Gardener was voted to the chair. The minutes of the former meeting were read, and after some favorable discussion, wen confirmed.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr Buchanan, M.H.R., also enclosing a memo from the Crown Land’s Office, advising personal interviews between repreeentativee of the Association and the Crown Lands authorities, and expressing a hope that be iMr Buchanan) might be able to give farther assistance to the Association.

A letter was also read from tha Survey Office, Wellington, recommending tha laud on the banks of the Taramea and Maagaooo rivets as beet suited to the requirements of the Carterton people, as per plan forwarded therewith, but recommending tha Aaaoeiation, by their delegates, to explore fur themselves. The letter also stated that there waa not any laud available to tbe Association or open lor settlement at Opnnake. Tbe Secretary read the Committee's report, which was as follows

'* With the view of placing the Association on a satisfactory footing, the Committee propose to recommend to the general meeting of members of the Aasociation for their consideration, as a base for further action the following rales 1. That the Association is formed for the purpose of taking np a block ol land under the Special Settlement regulations issued by the Government. 3. There shall be a committee of management consisting of six members, whose duty it shall be to carry out the objects of the Association. 8. A snm of 3s 6d shall be paid as an entrance fee, to be applied to the payment of preliminary expenses. 4. When the land is being surveyed, it shall be an instruction to the surveyor to lay off the land in snob a manner that the rural sections shall be distributed orer the whole area. 6. When balloting, a separate ballot shall be taken among the applicants, for each of several areas to be

laid off. 6. The town sections to be laid off in hall acres; the suburban lands to be in five acre sections, one section ol each to each rural section. 7. The whole ol the sections

to be allotted by ballot, each settler to take the number drawn by him for his respective allotment. 8. After the ballot, not less than one month shall elapse before the ballot papers are collected, and the said papers in the meantime may be exchanged, but not parted with to anyone not being a member ol the Association. After discussion of these proposed rales Mr Tale proposed, and Mr Nieol seconded," That the members present accept'the roles proposed by the Committee aad adopt the com* mittee’s report.” Carried unanimously. Mr Tule proposed, and Mr Nieol seconded, " That Mr Q. A. Fairbrother be appointed Secretary to the Association.'' Carried. The Secretary informed the meeting that the 130 acres would be the largest allotments in rural land, and they (the Committee, proposed tnat five acres should be the size ol the suburban sections. The Masterton Association suburban sections were in four acre

allotments. If laid off by (he Government the price of suburban lands was L 4 10s per acre, 'the minimum price of the rural land waa £1 per acre, other Associations had obtained excellent land in the Forty Mile Bnsh for that price, and ha did not see why this Association should not obtain their land at the same rate. If the settler preferred, ha ooald allow his purchase money to be capitalised, and could pay five per cent, per annum oa the amount, and be given 14 years to pay the money, which could be done in £lO instalments ; or any individual could change bis deferred payments to perpetual leasing if he so desired, so that there waa every facility given to the settler to make any terms be chose. For four years tbs land need not be occupied either by the settler or substitute. Mr Lawrence proposed, and Mr Snnkelt seconded, that Mr Geoige Yule be appointed a delegate to inspect the land, and report to the Association as to the relative suitability of blocks. It waa resolved that Mr Alex

Hngken be appointed a delegate. It waa also resolved on the proposition of Mr B. ds Cliftos, seconded by Mr Yule, that Mr H. Cards be a delegate. It waa resolved that the expenses of these three gentlemen, who form the delegation, should of course, be defrayed by the Association. Whet the ielegates have visited the land, and are piv|.>ir«<i with their iep rl, it was arranged that another general niccimg should be convened hy advertisement to taka further steps towards the objects and business of tbs Association.

Mr Gardener am.on,.ail that at the next meeting of the members he would ley before them ihs report of the Wellington Special Settlement Association for the iurthur instruction of the Association. After the meeting, those who had signed their names paid up their entrance lees several joiiiinu members hailing from (• rev town. The Society now numbers Id paid up members ; and it is intended to call a meeting of tho-e interested, in (in ylown shortly, to supplement the movement. It was said at the meeting that sixty or seventy members, or even more, would make a strong alliance.