The Martin's Bay Settlement.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 152, 8 October 1872, Page 7

The Martin's Bay Settlement.

( Wakatlp Mail.) Mr W. H. Homer hai come from the West Coast, and from that unfortunate settlement, Martin's Bay. He has, as the Yankees say, wired his way through an unpleasant route therefrom. The settlement was destitute of provisions. The way in which the settlement has been neglected appears to have been most disgraceful. It was one of Mr Macandrew's pet schemes to ooloniss that part of the outcoasts of Otago; whilst the Government of New Zealand, both general and provincial, have recognised the necessity of settlement in this direction. Very tempting terms indeed were offered, and accepted bv persons wuiiug w labour in making the wilderness a garden. Martin's Bay, we have said, has thus been colonised. It possesses many natural advantages, and has all its residents wish, but one thing,—and that is, easier access with the commercial world. This young community have not yet been able to greet flour mills, or grow enough beef and mutton to supply their requirements. They therefore depend upon the trading steamer. Mr Homer further says that the women and c'ail dren have been driven down to the sea coist. to seek mussels upon which to subsist. Ve do not vouch for the entire truthfulness if this statement, but have every reason to Ve satisfied with the credibility of our infoimant.

We understand that the authorities oi| Otago were telegraphed to some time ago, and asked, bv Mr Bonar, of Westland, whether the Waipara steamer should extend her trip to Martin's Bay. The reply was, that, when require J, they (the Otago Government) would sand word. Now, it is a wellknown fact that these West Coast settlements require and demand care and nurture. Promises have been made, and they, at least, should be redeemed. The Government have a right to do more than assist the colonists in their early struggle, and it should also be their pleasure to do so. The result of this last shameful neglect is that a community of some fifty persons has again been driven to the first stage of starvation. For some weeks past, one family, at least, has been weighing out flour at the rate of one and a half ounces per diem, and have had no other food but fish—when obtainable—or fern. We make the Government a present of these statements, as disgraceful to themselves as .the ruling powers, and to ourselves as colonists.