Village Settlements.

This is another mode of disposal. Blocks of land are set apart for sale or lease as "village settlements," upon terms and conditions fixed by regulation by the Governor.

These blocks are surveyed and divided into "village allotments" of an acre each, and "village homestead allotments" of 100 acres each, or as near as may be; or the block may be divided into village allotments only, or village homestead allotments only.

A day is fixed on which the allotments are to be open for application, and the mode of disposal is also declared. "Village allotments" may be offered at public auction amongst the applicants only, at an upset price of £3 per allotment, or may be opened for application under the optional system.

"Village homestead allotments" can only be offered for lease in perpetuity, at a rental of £4 per cent. on the cash value of the land, the minimum price of which is fixed at 10s. per acre. Improvement and residence are necessary conditions.

page 21

No such lease can be seized or sold for debt or in bankruptcy.

Advances of money specially appropriated by Parliament for the purpose may be made to lessees under this system to assist them in profitably occupying their allotments.