THE Cromwell Argus. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1869.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 5, 8 December 1869, Page 2

THE Cromwell Argus. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1869.

Every day shows the necessity of having an agricultural area opened on the Upper Clutha. There are many among ns anxious to cultivate the soil, and settle down permanently. It is impolitic not to gratify that desire, leading as it would to the settlement of a valuable yeomanry population of energy and intelligence. The entire colony gaips by such settlement, but to g ild-fields’ districts the immediate benefits are large and of an important nature. These do not require to be urged at length ; their actual value is exemplified in such districts as the Lakes and Tuapeka, and especially the former, with its extensive farms, comfortable homesteads, a welldoing population—possessing, besides, its fields, flocks and herds. This is the class to settle.,arpUnd the gold-fields, as they put ift ’fcWo energy and pluck that characterised them while following mining

i pursuits. They are ready at all times to forward and assist mining enterprises; they have materially cheapened the cost of living ; they do not view with suspicion and dread mining schemes; but, on the other hand, are rather inclined to support them in times of difficulty and trial. Thus the two interests become bound together by a combination of circumstances that even extends to the private relations of life, The happy results of this are more extensively witnessed in the various gold-fields districts of Victoria, and there is no population that possesses, perhaps, so much self-reliance, and is, therefore, generally so contented and prosperous, as a farming community whose interests are allied with the progress of the gold-fields. We have in this district an excellent opening to form such a population, and to establish in our midst successfully so valuable and permanent a pursuit as that of farming. A fine .stretch of from 10,000 to 15,000 acres of good land is stated by competent authorities to exist in the direction named. The area is adjacent to the Bendigo goldfield, which is yet only in its infancy, and promises to be not only a lasting but an extensive one also. The climate is excellent, and water-power to drive a flour-mill is available. Moreover, a large number of small capitalists are ready to take up farms and change the wilderness into fruitful fields, dotted with homes and farmbuildings. Sheep at present occupy this inviting country, so suitable for cultivation, with its rolling plains and rounded hills and glades. Upon all these grounds, then, we urge that steps should be at once taken to have these lands thrown open. A public meeting, and a memorial, would no doubt assist in hastening the steps of the Provincial Government in the matter. The time is slipping by, and the sooner we make a commencement, the sooner will the district acquire an additional source of prosperity aud industry. Let us then be up and doing. The miner is largely interested, the townsman and merchant more so, and, from a higher point of view, so are the parents of children who desire that their offspring should follow other pursuits besides those of raining. An agricultural population necessitates the establishment of other trades, and thus an opening is made for the employment of the rising generation. Earnestly, then, having the blessing of good land at our command, do wo urge immediate public action upon the subject, It was a source of great regret to "us when we gazotffrora'J over that fair land of Goshen stretching; up the Clutha to the Wanaka Lake, spread-S ing out so attractively to the right hand and to the left hand, and watered by many a stream, as well as by a noble river, to see it remain uiioceupied and in its primitive and barren state. But though we advocate the immediate opening up of these lands for settlement, it does not necessarily follow that they should he- sold. This, in our' opinion, would be extremely injudicious, as, if offered by public auction, their final destination would be the same as the Island Block at Teviot, namely, the hands of the squatter. Experience is the best guide to rely upon, and experience tells us that sales of land by auction only tend more surely to allow the capitalist to secure the choice and best selections. All the evidence taken before the Waste Lands Committee confirmed the truth of this. Mr Dillon Bell confessed he would Imvo to buy the land to be sold on his run, even if it cost him a large sum per acre. So it would doubtless be with the area in question. We do not make these remarks in any spirit of antagonism to the runholding interest. It is an important one, and its value in the colonisation of Mew Zealand has been far greater than is generally admitted or supposed ; yet when the lands which the squatters now hold under sufferance are wanted for farming purposes, the interests of those by whom these lands are required must not be overlooked. We are not among the number of those who object to the squatter receiving compensation, if need bo to a liberal extent; for wo think it only fair that when a large outlay of capital has taken place in the purchasing and stocking of runs, liberal allowance should be made when it is found necessary to take from those runs land of a superior quality. Then we come to the question whether it should.be alienated under the Hundreds system. The evil is great also this way, and the speculator does a great deal of mischief. Lastly, to secure bona fide settlement, we must fall back upon the wisdom of the Colonial Parliament, which in the year 1806, when unmoved by any other considerations than those of justice and equity, gave the people on the Gold-fields a most valuable piece of machinery to accomplish it by. The Goldfields Act gives us very nearly the land, systems of Victoria .and New South Wales —systems that have done wonders for those colonies. The provisions of the Act, have worked excellently both at Tuapoka. and the Lakes, while the other ones ha,ve failed to accomplish the great end in view. Free selection, deferred payments, cultivation and residence as a preliminary step 'to purchase without competition, are secured by this measure; and if the people are wise they will not claim, hut demand that they shall have access to the soil granted to them by it and through it only. So strong is the feeling in other* districts on

the subject, mid so admirably has the measure worked, that its general adoption will 1 bo strongly advocated by those favourable to the interests of the Gold-fields. It miv ring a death knell to the hopes * monopolist; but what is that, when i to every man a farm and a home own choice. Wo cannot exhaust th ject to-day.