282 SMALL HOLDINGS SYNDICATES 



The solution of this particular problem was brought 

 about by Mr. R. Winfrey, who for a number of years, 

 and especially as chairman of the Small Holdings 

 Committee of the Holland (Lincolnshire) County 

 Council, had taken an active interest in the develop- 

 ment of small holdings. It had been on his suggestion 

 that the Spalding Common Club was formed. This 

 gentleman now secured the co-operation of five friends, 

 and, with them, formed a syndicate, to which the title 

 of South Lincolnshire Small Holdings Association was 

 given. To this syndicate Lord Carrington let the farm 

 in question on a seven years' lease (subsequently re- 

 newed). But the members of the syndicate, or asso- 

 ciation, subscribed no capital, and there has been no 

 need for them to do so from that day to this. All they 

 did was to guarantee, jointly and severally, the payment 

 to Lord Carrington of the rent for the entire farm. On 

 this condition they became the principal tenant, and it 

 was for them to sublet the farm in small holdings, 

 apportion rent and expenses among the occupying 

 tenants, and collect from them the money to be paid 

 to Lord Carrington. Nominally, the association is 

 responsible for all losses ; but, practically, there have 

 been no losses for it to bear. 



The Willow Tree Farm was divided among about 

 100 tenants in holdings which range from i to 35-acre 

 lots. Then, in 1902, Lord Carrington offered to the 

 association a twenty-one years' lease of the Cowbit 

 House Farm, 265 acres in extent (on its becoming 

 vacant), and he further expressed his willingness to 

 transfer to the association six detached allotment fields 

 which he had previously managed through his estate 

 agent. Accepting these further responsibilities, the 

 association now had the control of 650 acres of allot- 

 ments and small holdings, ranging from rood plots to 



