feedback on AL and ALICE BLACK

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We own a farm In Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia and must sadly confirm your worst suspicions about Al Black. He sure has a reputation for wheeling and dealing. For example, he'll tell naive land buyers that non-Canadian immigrants can't buy land. So he buys it (with their money) supposedly for them . . . then won't turn the title over. Beware! I know, I also find It hard to believe that someone could be like that.

Name withheld by MOTHER

Having worked for a couple of second-rate newspaper rags, I find it gratifying to discover a publication that sticks by its readers rather than sticking it to them. I refer to the Al and Alice Black affair and your warning in the last issue of MOTHER.

I guess you're aware that in the same issue in which Madeline and Kenny's letter appeared there was another note from Al and Alice describing the land bargains to be had in Nova Scotia, also offering assistance to would-be immigrants. I wrote to them and received a letter in reply, which I'm forwarding to you. I never followed through on Al's offer, as outlined in his letter ( to buy land In his name, then turn over the deed as a gift—MOTHER ) because frankly, I'm suspicious of anyone who Immediately wants to do so much for someone he's never even met. As you said in N0. 19, the possibility of a flim-flam is there.

Name withheld by request of writer

We read your notice about Al and Alice Black in MOTHER N0. 19. Here's our experience with them, for what it's worth.

We were interested in settling in Nova Scotia so we answered their Contact ad and asked about the area and what land parcels were available. They wrote and urged us to get land now. . . all would be gone in '73. In their next letter they wanted assurance that we weren't realtors. They also said that "everyone" bought sight unseen. To sum up; their letters were a little weird, but we kept on writing.

Around Christmas they sent a wire about a 50-acre parcel of land that was available for $1,500. By that time we were so stoked up about Nova Scotia that we were going to send in the money and buy sight unseen. But, after thinking, we wrote for more details. No answer from the Blacks. We wrote again . . . still no answer. We've never heard from them since. We thought this was odd, but after reading your "Beware" notice I guess it figures. Wonder what would have happened if we'd sent them $1,500? I shudder to think about it! That's all the land money we've got and it represents long, hard work at 8-to-5 jobs.