The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-15 00:00:00

HOME COUNTIES AND METROPOLITAN

FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY.

Last evening, a meeting of the shareholders and friends
of the Home Counties and Metropolitan Freehold Land
Society was held, at the offices, 14, Chatham-place, Black-
friars, for the purpose of balloting for forty rights to choose
land on the estates of the society.
Shortly after eight o'clock, the chair, on the motion of
Mr. Hughes, was taken by Mr. J. Sexby.
There are two special advantages in this society, viz ,
members are not required to pay down any part of the
price of the land prior to choosing plots. The full amount
of the shares drawn in the ballot is advanced ; also that
more shares are not drawn in the ballot than can be sup-
plied with land, so that the members may have the ad-
vantage of selling their drawn shares at a premium. A
share in full is 301., with an entrance fee of ls. _ _

Two estates have been purchased for this society during
the past year—that at Wood-green (chiefly allotted) has
been very satisfactory and profitable, both to the allottees
and the society at large. The other estate (not yet allotted)
promises to be a more successful purchase than the first,
there beine, a great demand for plots upon it. It is situated
in Wimbledon-park,' in the midst of gentlemen's seats, and
is adapted for first-class villas.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said they
had met together that evening for the purpose of balloting
for forty rights to choose land. He had been taken en-
tirely by surprise by the motion of Mr. Hughes, but the
duty was so simple that he could not object to fulfil the
duties of chairman that evening. The Home Counties
Freehold Land Society were now the possessors of two
highly attractive estates, that would bear comparison with
the best in possession of any land society. The Stuart
estate, Wood-green, comprising 236 plots, mostly alloted,
had been very popular, and justly so, on account of its
real eligibility for building purposes, s beautiful situa-
tion, and its easy access. This estate had not been pur-
chased more than three months, when more than a thou.
sand new shares were added to those already taken up.
This fact of itself was sufficient to show the value attached
to the purchase by those persons who now made the pos-
session of land, through the instrumentality of societies
such as this, their study. Such a satisfactory and
profitable result to the allottees had fully testified
to the sound judgment exercised by the executive com-
mittee in purchasing so eligible a property. In addition
to the advantages he had already stated, it had yielded an
amount of profit sufficient to bear the current expenses of
the society, and to enable the directors to give a bonus on
the subscriptions of the past year of 51. Ss. 4d. per cent. In
savings banks the interest now allowed upon deposits was
2/. Bs. per cent., whereas in this society, as well as others,
a sum double that was given, and with a much better and
safer security. It had been thought by many that the Go-
vernment guaranteed the depositors from loss, but the con-
trary fact had been most painfully learned by many who
had deposited their hard earned savings, of a life time, he
might really say, in them in the hope of it being a provi-
sion for a rainy day. The other estate, situated in Wim-
bledon Park, claimed a remark at his hands. It was an
exceedingly beautiful one; it contained 100 plots, and pro-
mised to prove as successful as the estate he had just spoken
of ,it,Woodgreen. Perhaps no estate hitherto allotted among
the members of a land society could be compared with this
for its salubrity, beauty of situation, and its contiguity to
first-class property, all which wore great considerations in
the value of building ground. In this society there was no
forfeitures in case of arrears, the member had only to pay
up his back subscriptions, and he possessed a right equal to
any of the other members to go to the ballot.
A SHAREHOLDER asked when the conveyance of the
Wood Green estate would be ready ?
The CHAIRMAN said, in about a fortnight. He had not
the least doubt about that being the time.
A SHAREHOLDER felt extremely gratified at the an.
nouucement made by the Chairman, as all of them were
extremely anxious to get their conveyances.
A short discussion then took place with respect to the
propriety of holding the meetings of the society at the
office.

Mr. HUGHES thought that, for the future, all meetings
should be held either at Radley's Hotel, or some other
public room, and finally moved a resolution to that effect.
Mr. DURHAM begged leave to second the proposition of
Mr. Hughes.

Mr. GEORGE said ho agreed with the preceding speaker,
that it would be better to hold their meetings for the fu-
ture at some public room where there was more accommo-
dation for the shareholders, who invariably attended their
meetings, yet he did not tbink it judicious to pass a re-
solution, whereby they would bind themselves always to
hold their meetings at some public room, for when they pos-
sessed larger offices than those they at present held, and
had better accommodation for their shareholders, ho
thought they might imitate the larger societies—the Na-
tional, for instance, and not go abroad to transact that
business which might be done, and well done, at home.
(Cheers.) With these views, he would move, as an amend-
ment to the motion of Mr. Hughes, the following :—" That
in future, meetings of this society be held in some publio
room, and not at the offices of the society." He had no
doubt the wording of the resolution would meet the views
of all present.
The amendment having been seconded. the Chairman put
it to the meeting, and declared it carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN said if any gentleman had any question
to put, either himself or the secretary would fool happy to
answer it.

A SHAREHOLDER asked a question relative to the mode
of ballot adopted at the last meeting, as it differed from
tho usual mode.

The SECRETARY said the mode of balloting was always
taken in conformity with the wishes of the meeting; it
was so in this instance.
Mr. CASE said nothing could be fairer than the
mode of ballot originally adopted, and he should oppose
any alteration.
The subject then dropped.
The ballot for the forty rights then commenced, the fol-
lowing were the numbers declared by the chairman
17, 161, 101, 280, 258, 372, 300, 420, 478, 574, 559, 627,
625, 755, 721, 845, 866, 994, 942, 1,072, 1,078, 1,191, 1,136,
1252 1,288, 1,373,
1,352, 1,444, 1,494,1,519, 1,547, 1,624
1,613,Mr: 113,713uL 371 said the
1,773,11,848,
848, 1,882, 1,915, 1,942. ,
business for which they had met
having terminated, ho begged to move a cordial vote of
thanks to the chairman for his kindness in presiding over
them that evening.
Mr. HUTCHINGS bad much pleasure in seconding the
motion.
The resoration being put to the meeting was carried
unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the compliment, said
he always felt a pleasure in meeting the shareholders. The
oftener he saw them, accompanied by their friends, the
more he should like them.
The meeting then terminated.