SPECIAL SETTLEMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1374, 19 October 1886, Page 3

SPECIAL SETTLEMENTS.

We have recently on severSl occasion drawn attention to the good work nov going on in the North Island under th( special settlement system, and thi subject is one of such vital interest ft the colony that we make no apologj for returning to the subject. There an before us, as we write, reports of eye witnesses of the good effect producec m two different localities, viz., in the Waikato and in Wairarapa East, the correspondents of the Hen* Zealand Herald and of the Lyttelton Timei respectively furnishing the information to which we propose to advert. As regards the first—that is the Auckland provincial district—we learn that in response to a request of the deputation which waited upon the Minister for Lands some fifteen months ago, the Government opened up under the Special Settlement regulations a large block of Crown land on the southern side of the Waikato river, opposite Tuakau, and that an association called the “Tuakau Small Farm Association ” was formed, “consisting of twenty-six members, who agreed to take xoo acres each of the block at per acre, together with cost o f survey, the price of the land to he p<*/d in half-yearly instalments cf and a competent surveyor to be paid by the members of the association. Thus, by paying a sum of every six months, a member o the association can obtain at the end of ten years a Crown grant entitling him to 100 acres of excellent land. Residence is not required for the first two years, and the compulsory improvement are very light; so that altogether the fulfilment of the conditions is within the power of any man possessed of the least stability and industry. The portion of the block taken up has been surveyed by Messrs Lusk and Smithies, the different sections have been drawn for, and the first half yearly payment has been made. Already half the members are busy felling bush, J

and making other improvements, and it is estimated that some hundreds of acres of bush will be burned off this year. The greater part of the land has been taken up by the young men of the district, and there are many more who failed to obtain lots in the present Association, who are most anxious to acquire the remainder of the block under the “ Homestead Act.” This is all highly satisfactory, and it is pleasing to find that from the Wellington district there is equally encouraging news to send. The Lyttelton Times' correspondent says : “I have just returned from a visit In the special settlements in the Wairarapa East County. There are numerous clearings, the work of the last few months, and under the present land laws the bush will soon be dotted with settlements. The land is heavily timbered, but can be cleared for 30s an acre, and a large number of small holdings are already down in permanent grass and stocked with sheep and cattle. The Pahiatua settlement, which, till a little over a year ago, only contained six houses, has now 75 stores and dwellings, some of a very substantial character. A year ago there were 25 children on the school register, now the number is 103, with an average attendance of 90. The village homestead settlement, with its 60 odd families, is thriving well, and the people are clamorous for more land. Two more blocks are to he opened under the system in about a month, and a large number of families will soon be located theieon. Work has already been cammenced by the special settlement system, and as the land is generally flat and exceedingly rich, it is expected that highly satisfactory results will accrue from the opening of this country. Everyone seems satisfied, and thereare nocomplaints to be heard.” In view ot this very pleasing result of a wise adroinisfration of a liberal land law, it is not surprising that on his recent tour of inspection among these settlements in the Forty-mile Bush Mr Ballance was everywhere received with acclamation; indeed, he has undoubtedly deserved well, not only of the settlers in these particular districts, but of the colony generally for the successful results he has achieved.

A real and lasting impetus has been given to the cause of colonisation, as is evidenced by the fact that, thanks to the special settlement system, the number of persons located upon Crown lands during the six months ended Sept. 30 was 1148 (double the number located during any similar period in the history of the colony) the area taken up by these settlers being no less than 96,250 acres. But what has already been achieved is only a foretaste of what may be accomplished, if only this excellent ■ system is pursued throughout the colony generally, and we heartily endorse every word of the following remarks which a correspondent, under the appropriate signature of “Progress,” contributes to an Auckland contemporary “ What a pity it is that there are not started throughout the country more of these special settlements, which might form an excellent outlet for hundreds of young men, who otherwise will inevitably find their way to the large towns, and instead of acquiring for themselves a respectable and honorable independence in tilling the land, will, in every season of depression, become “unemployed,” like so many at present, or will degenerate into miserable loafers —an encumbrance on their fellowmen—a disgrace to the country. What will become of this country it is impossible to more than guess, if some steps are not taken, and soon taken, for the opening up and development of the resources of New Zealand; and one of the best means of doing this is to give all who may so desire, small farms of about 100 acres on easy terms—such as permanent occupation, the making of certain iraprovemepts, &c. By this means millions of acres of waste lands will speedily be under cultivation; we will obtain an industrious, self-supporting class of farmers—those who really desire to obtain a living for themselves and families will seize this certain opportunity of doing so, and there will remain in the towns only those who could not exist anywhere else. If the Government, instead of constantly gratifying the wishes of the unemployed by starting works, which, when finished, leave them in the same condition as formerly, would lay out settlements, and compel the unemployed either to settle on this land, or to whine in vain for relief works, we should hear less from loafers, and have less real suffering and want to alleviate.”

tV arrow Eacapo. * * * POOHESTSR, Juno 1, 1882 “ Ten years ego I was attacked with the most Intense and deathly pains In u,y hack and Kidneys. “ Extending to the end of my t e.» and to mr brain ! “ Which made mo delirious ! “ From agony 111! “ It tonic three men to bold me on my bed r.t times ! “ The D c f ors fried In vain to relieve mo, but to no pn r p-so.

Morphine and other opiates ! “ tL.d no effect ! “ Af er two months I was given up to die ! ! ! ! What) my w'fe heard a neighbor tell what Hop Bitters had dono for her, she at onci got and gave ra ■ s >me The first dose eased my brain and seem id to go hunting (bring ■. mv system for the pain.

The second dose eased me so much that I slept two hours, something I had not done for two months. Before I had used five bottles, I was well and at work as hard as any man could, for over three weeks ; but I worked too hard for my strength, and taking a hard cold, I was taken with the most acute and painful rheumatism all through my system that was ever known. “ I called the doctors again, and after several weeks they left him a cripple on crutches for life, as they said. I met a friend and told him my case, and he said Hop Bitters had cured him and would cure me. I poohed at him, but he was so earnest I was induced to use them again. In less than four weeks, I threw away my crutches and went to work lightly and kept on using the bitters for five weeks, until I became as well ns any man living, and have been so for six years since. It baa alto cuted my wife, who had been sick for years ; and baa kept her and my children well and healthy with from two to three bottles a year. There is no nerd to be sick at all if these bitters «re used J. J. Berk. Ex- -'uporvisor

“ That poor invalid wife, Sls'er, Mother, “ Or dauel tor ! ! ! ! “ Can he mane the picture of health ! “ with a few bottles of Hop Bitters ! “ Will yon h:t them svjtfcr ! ! ! !" ProMfcnto tUe Bwiaill«r« ! If when .you call for American Hop Bitters (see green twig of Hops on the white label and Dr Smile's name blown in the hott'e], the vendor hands out anything but American Hop Bitters refuse it and shun the vendor as you would a viper; and if he has taken your money for anything else indict him for the fraud and sue him for damages for the swindle, and we will pay you liberally for the conviction.