Land in Class A.

The land comprised in this class to be gradually surveyed into sections of 200 acres each, and opened for disposal. The Executive Government to determine the localities in which lands comprised in this class should be opened, but not more than say 50,000 acres to be opened in any one year. The method of disposal to be, that one lot, with option of taking another adjoining, should be put up for lease for 14 or 21 years, with option of buying either or both lots at a fixed rate of say 40s. per acre, at any time after the first seven years' occupation. The land to be leased to the bidder of the highest annual rental. All leases of land in this class to contain conditions requiring personal residence for at least three years, and the erection of substantial fence round boundaries. No other improvements compulsory, and no assignment of lease permitted for three years.

It will be noticed that for land in this class my scheme does not differ very much from that now in force in this province, and known as the Deferred Payments System, excepting that I advocate the grant of a simple lease, with purchasing clause, which may be exercised at any time after seven years' occupation, and the grant of 400 acres instead of 200 acres, with no improvement clauses excepting for fencing. The present law I consider calculated to bring a lower class of settler on our agricaltural land than the system I advocate would secure.