138 SNIG'S END 



known to make 100 off his 4 acres. The district 

 seems to have suffered very much in the bad 

 years of agricultural depression. In 1882 there 

 were nine farms on the landlords' hands in a radius 

 of five miles from Snig's End. A small farm of 

 50 acres, all in grass, which was bought in 1860 

 at 50 per acre, was sold in 1897 at 15 10s. per 

 acre, and was let at 27s., with a good house and 

 buildings. Another small place of 33 acres had 

 been bought for 1,650, and the owner took up 

 1,000 upon it. The mortgagee at present, after 

 paying expenses, nets l a year over it. It is not 

 surprising, therefore, that the small holdings of the 

 National Land Company suffered also. In 1882 

 the eighty -three original holdings numbered forty. 

 Twelve were in the hands of mortgagees, who could 

 not find purchasers for them ; of the twenty-eight 

 occupiers, twelve were said to be doing well. 



At the present time the rent-charge for a 

 3-acre lot and house is about 8 to 9. Three or 

 four of the holdings have recently changed hands 

 at from 20 to 25, subject to the rent-charge. 

 The owner has also taxes and tithe to pay. In one 

 case, probably typical of many, the holding is let 

 at 9, leaving the owner of the rent-charge con- 

 siderably out of pocket. A house and garden alone, 

 where the land is let separately, fetches about 2. 

 The average rent for large farms in the district is 

 from l to l 5s. an acre. I was informed that 

 the Snig's End small holdings were cheaper than 

 others in the neighbourhood. 



