Mr. Tennant, now Secretary for Scotland, announced on Wed- nesday
night that the Duke of Sutherland had offered to 'the State the gift of an estate of twelve thousand acres for the settlement eel soldiers and sailors, and that his generous and patriotic) offer had been accepted. The rules governing the gift are excellent. Soldiers and sailors eligible for settlement on the farm lands must 'have been on foreign service, must have enlisted voluntarily and have good records. Not less than one-half of the lands are to be reserved for sailors, and while preference will be given to men in good physical condition, partially disabled men will not be excluded. • About half the acreage is to be afforested by the State, and employment will thus be available for the small-holders, while the sheep, cattle, and horses will remain on the lands on terms to be mutually settled, and a light railway is to be constructed from the farm lands. Abso• lute conveyance will be given at Martinmas, the Duke only reserving for himself and his successors the fishing of the lochs and rivers on the estate.
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