THE ACT OF 1892 329 



THE ACT OF 1892. 



The Committee reported in June, 1890. 



The Small Holdings Act was subsequently 

 framed, and came into force in October, 1892. 

 Under it power was given to County Councils to 

 purchase land and adapt it for small holdings, 

 which were to be resold on a deferred payment 

 system. One-fifth of the purchase money was 

 to be paid down, and the rest, representing capital 

 and interest, was to be paid off in a term not 

 exceeding fifty years. 



Any county elector could petition the County 

 Council to put the Act into force by alleging a 

 demand for small holdings in his division. The 

 County Council were then to appoint a Small 

 Holdings Committee to inquire into the demand, 

 and if it was found to be sent in * in good faith and 

 on reasonable grounds ' the Small Holdings Com- 

 mittee should proceed to take measures to acquire 

 suitable land in the district. 



They were empowered to spend a sum which 

 would not raise a rate of more than Id. in the 

 in the county. 



The money was to be borrowed from the Public 

 Works Loan Commissioners at 3j per cent. 



If unable to purchase land the Council were 

 empowered under certain conditions to take it on 

 lease. 



