352 CATSHILL 



that upwards of 2,000 public notices on the 

 provisions of the Act had been issued, but only 

 one application had been received in response. 

 Subsequently, however, petitions alleging a demand 

 for small holdings were received from various 

 quarters, and inquiries held. 



As a result of a petition sent by the nailers in 

 the Catshill district, an inquiry was held, and it was 

 decided to put the Act into force. Negotiations 

 had meanwhile been entered into for acquiring 

 Woodrow Farm, with 147 acres of land adjoining 

 Catshill village, and this was subsequently pur- 

 chased at the rate of 33 an acre, including the 

 timber. 



A meeting was held at Catshill at which there 

 were a very large number of persons present who 

 wanted land, and the Act was explained to them. 

 The Council satisfied themselves that a certain 

 number of these people were unable to buy i.e., 

 find the necessary deposit of 20 per cent. and 

 therefore that they were justified in acquiring land 

 for hiring as well. 



A valuer was employed to advise as to fencing, 

 division, etc. The total expense incurred in adapta- 

 tion was 287 14s. 7d. The land was divided up 

 into thirty-two lots of from 2 J to 8 acres, and at a 

 meeting held in Catshill early in 1896, ten lots 

 were disposed of to men who agreed to pay down 

 the 20 per cent, deposit and so become purchasers 

 of the land. The applicants for the other lots, 

 being unable to do this, were allowed to become 



