Cundall and Miss Eliza Mary ‘Cundall, resident proprietors,

OUR ISLAND STORY N

THE SEVENTH CHAPTER Settlement of the Land Question

As soon as possible after the changes appertaining to the Union of Prince Edward Island and Canada had been made, the Provincial Government opened acorrespondence with the landed proprietors for the purpose of arriving at a final settlement of

the land question. on the 18th of November, 1875, the Ex-

ecutive Council ordered that circulars be sent by the Provincial Secretary to the proprietors of all township lands,——“inquiring at what price they will be prepared to sell the said property to the Government.” Circulars to that effect were forthwith sent to eighteen proprietors or their agents. The replies received were, for the most part, indefinite and'unsatisfactory to the Gov- ernment. Mr. Robert Bruce Stewart, proprietor of one of the largest estates, stated that if the Government were really desirous ‘ to purchase his property and would make him an offer setting . forth the price they would be willing to pay for it per acre, and 5 ‘ what rate of discount they would expect him to allow them upon ' iii the arrears of rent due him, he would, “after due consideration," . i give them an answer as to whether he would sell or not. Lady l Georgina Fane replied: ”I do not wish to sell; I am content to remain a P. E. Islander, with my fortunes united with those of the Island. I have no wish to part company with it. I could intimate, if necessary, a price. at which I would be willing to do - i ‘ I that which I am unwilling to do. What is the price they (the L Government) would offer to induce me to do it?” Other pro-

prietors were equally inclined to remain P. E. Islanders—~in re-

sidence abroad. Messrs. I. R.- Bourke, William Cundall, H. I.

however expressed their willingness to sell their estates at prices