A COLONISING SCHEME.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1959, 16 January 1914, Page 8

A COLONISING SCHEME.

REJECTED BY AUSTRALIA

(By Tolceraplu—Bpocial Correspondent.) . Napier, January 15. ■ Mr. David M'Rcnzie, of New York, accompanied byhis wife and family, left Napier to-day after , a short visit. Mr. M'Kcnzie, ■ who has large mining and other- interests in America, intended' when he left New York to take up 'a largo tract of land in the back-blocks of Australia, and eoloniise it with farmers from Western Canada and ' tho United States, but he found that tho Government there, were not inclined to encourage private enterprise, and would only lease tho land. As a rcsnlt he abandoned his project, and is now travelling about New Zealand for pleasure. In the course of an interview Mr. M'Konzie said: "I really camo'to Australia to take up a largo .tract of land and eolonis? it on-tho same system' as has been done in Western I purposed acquiring tho land and bringing out. a number of American and Canadian farmers to settle' upon it, men'who would form the best typo of immigrants they could get. Ton want immigrants with experience and sufficient cash to take up'tho land and ninko a success of it. That is tho class of man to Encourage, but theso men will not tako all the risks of developing land in the back-blocks which- is onlv obtainable on lease. , I found'that I was twenty , years too soon, and tho only land available had to be obtained on- lease, which-'"made- my plftri oiit of the question; Tho-'Government's duty is to support tho private individual.' As it is, vast'tracts 'of splendid .agricultural country are.-lying'idlo waiting to bo colonised.."'' '■ • ■■ ■ .'•' Asked if , he had ..seen much of New Zealand yet, Mr. JJ'Keftzae 'said. , "No. But," he* -continued, "as fir as I bavo Kono my impressions have been cxcelIfint nil tlio "way through. I can say .that we fotind from the t'ime wo : landed at' 'the Bjiiff that t?io poopln ore the most, hospitable and contented that we have met" in any country 'that wo lfavo i.)oen in. From every place we have been through I have gathered tho impression that tho country has , wonderful prospects. - It'is superior-to anything we liavo in America*,:-' It is better, I think, in tho South Island than: in thft North Island. Tourists are well .treated i here, tlio- accommodation at tho hotels is first-lass, and all that conld'b© expected, and everyone hr.s gone-out of their way to aivo ns information and make onr trip- The scenery of New Zenland "is-.-very Beautiful. Just before leaving Mr. , ' M'Kerizio said: "I hare colonised' hinje tracts-of land in I yVestorn Canadn, and T ; an) sorry the Australian Government' does not- ehcoiifpge private enterprise?' as there are s'p'ltmdid ■ opportunities there. Mr. M'Kenzie left-this morniug'for Auckland, viii. Tauno and Rotorua, after I which he will visit the West Coast and other places of interest. ■ .;

' A pa'rtkularly moan theft Was perpetrated'in St. Albaiij■ on: Tuesday says the Gliristchurch "Press." A-little girl was sorii to a store' in FitzgeraW Street with a sixpenny piece clutched" m her ch'tsbby tist. On tho way a man jumped' off his bicycle and slid.' "Co'mo hore, little girl, and hold toy bike while rpuiap it up." -Durinfe'tliis operation tlio'nian found out where tho little girl Was' going," and wist she had in her hand. Thereupon' Ho .took tho sixpence, cave-the , child "two half-pennies, and cycled away, leaving 'tho unsuspecting youngster to think'that slie'liad '-effect- ■ cd rather a good exchange.. "'.The'recent harbour 'collision between the -'tramp" steamer llfiisie and the ilararoa lias been-the subject of a.preliminary inquiry by, tire. Collector, of Customs;" It has not. yet been decided by, the Marine.j Uepnrtinent >..whether, further action "will be necessary.,. It is expected tlint tlio repairs to the , Maisio will be completed to-day, ■.' ■~.'._■ ■• Forty let-tor's tor. members- 'of the Wharf Labourers' Union nfo lyinc-un-claimed at tho.union's .olfiwv, and the : secretary (Mr.'A.' E. PurdeyV is dcsirou's that they should' be called for. If they;are not claimed within a rea- : soiiable time -t-hoy will be .returned-' fo i the-Dc-ad Letter offi«6."- :-'.' : . . ! -'-At nest Wednesday evening's meotiiig of the Harbour, Board,.:- Captain 'Watson will move': "]'liat tho deputy■harbnurmaster's salarv bo increased £50 hx'-r annniii/ Tlint-T.-hcn "a pilot is ofidered down to take a , vessel away and has' r 'to wait some-time (at night) >r ,ihat ■ lip'.he.'.-'iiaid..'ls.'.'per, horn ,, for such' time ' afterii'the' 'time-'he' ' lms ■ been: ordered : flo'wii'fnr-.'(if , . 1 the , '-.vessel-;is : -,riot-s,ready.-;to j sai!) ;i untii siicbTtiinfl as'the ship leaves, tlio-'\vhati'.''i'. A-'special.meeting ot tho ' l/oard: will bo '.-held; before the ordinary ii'eeting for -the-consideration of. tlw by-law granting: .nn al* "lowpnco ! -pfrth« whnrfsgo ratu ou fruit poadeamed■ by. .the Goyernttta*: ' -■■