286 TlMEHRI. 
a disposition in their character, and for idleness and 
improvidence can compete with a South Sea Islander. 
Many of these persons are living on land originally 
granted to one of their forefathers 3s a grant of occu- 
pancy during the pleasure of the Crown, or for a term 
of years, or under a woodcutter's licence for a 
fixed term, and in most cases a yearly rent of so 
much per acre was payable. In all cases the wood- 
cutting licences have determined, and the acre-money 
due on the grants of occupancy has not been paid for 
very many years. 
At certain intervals an advertisement appears in the 
newspapers that such and such a grant has determined 
for certain reasons ; but as those occupying the grants 
referred to never see the newspapers, and as the terms 
are never enforced, they remain where they are, and 
thus perpetuate and multiply instances for after settle- 
ment. These squatters aft as though they were the 
bona fide owners of the lands they occupy, and in some 
cases allow others to cut timber or squat on a part of 
the land on payment to them of a consideration ; and 
they and their descendants, as they increase, will even* 
tually be the cause of much trouble and litigation. The 
matter is therefore eminently worthy of the attention of 
the Legislature. 
Much has been said of late about the encouragement 
of small industries, and some advocate the selling of the 
Crown Lands at an almost nominal value and in small 
quantities. Were the class of persons, who are likely 
to become the purchasers, of an industrious habit, and 
were they likely to benefit themselves and the general 
public by cultivating the land of which they became the 
