§ MR. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether it is a fact that application has been made to the Rural Sanitary Authority of the Rochford Union by a number of labourers for allotments at Canewdon; whether land was offered to the labourers at the price of £4 per acre, and that, in addition, each labourer was expected to pay his share of rates, tithes, &c. per acre; whether he is aware that the amount of tithes is equal to rather more than 15s. 6d. per acre, making the amount the labourers were required to pay £4 15s. 6d. per acre, and that the average rent for farm land at Canewdon is from 15s. to £1 per acre; and, whether any application has been made under the Allotments Act to put in force the Compulsory Clauses in the case of allotments at Canewdon in Essex?
THE SECRETARY (Mr. LONG)(who replied) said (Wilts, Devizes)The Rural Sanitary Authority of the Rochford Union have been applied to by eight labourers at Canewdon for allotments under the Allotments Act. The Committee to whom the applications were referred were of opinion that the land most suitable for the purpose was a field of about seven and a-half acres, belonging to Mr. Potter, of Rochford, who was willing to let the land for £26 a-year. The persons who applied for allotments were asked whether they were willing to take allotments at 6d. a-rod, exclusive of the share of tithes, rates, and taxes, and they were unwilling to do so. I am unable to state what is the amount of the tithes on the field in question. I am informed by the Clerk of the Rural Sanitary Authority that he believes the average rent of farm land in the district is from 15s. to £1 per acre, and that the Authority could, no doubt, have obtained land at that price per acre, but at an inconvenient distance from the village, and then only by taking a larger quantity than is required. It is stated that a part of the 182 field of Mr. Potter is now let in allotments at 1s. a-rod, and appears to find ready tenants at that rent. No application has been made to put in force the Compulsory Clauses of the Allotments Act as regards the Rochford Union.