WEST COAST SETTLEMENTS.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2760, 21 December 1871, Page 2

WEST COAST SETTLEMENTS.

The Waipara returned to Hokitika on the sth in at from Southern ports. Most of the settlements on the Otago coast were found to be in next to a starving condition. The miners at Big Bay had run short of provisions; at Jamestown the settlers were found tp be seeipingly well antj, healthy, but looking very thin On enquiring, it was found that they had run short of provisions about six weeks, there being only about IQOlbs of flour in the whole settlement, and that in such a state as made it quite unfit for human food. All through the late severe winter the cropj have been retarded considerably, whiph hag given the settlers no chance of deriving any; thing from cultivation Captain Baspand reports that the settlers complained very much of the treatment they had received, | Most of the men had gone over the Saddle to get work at sheep shearing, leaving their wives and families behind to look after their ground and crops. It was rumored when the steamer left that there would be only one man left amongst them in a week’s time. At the Haasfc, Captain Bascand landed about six tons of cargo, and found the people in an almost starving condition, they having been out of provisions for t e last six weeks, during which time they could do no work, on account of having nothing to eat. mabtin’s bay. The following notes respecting the Otago settlement of Martin’s Bay were kindly furnished to us by a passenger who left there in the Waipara; An indignation meeting was held amongst the settlers at Martin’s Bay shortly before the departure of the Waipara for Hokitika, when they unanimously decided to petition the Provincial Council of Otago, either to liud immediate employment for the inhabitants, that they might have the means of subsisting, or else send a steamer to take them all away, as they were actually reduced to a state of dependence. The expression of opinion was unanimous that the settlers had been shamefully treated and neglected by the Otago Government. We also learn that previous to the visit cf the Waipara all the male portion of the little community who could possibly get wayhad gone over the Saddle. The inhabitants have been principally living, for some weeks on eels, .missels, and such game as the place would afford at this season of the year. There are four families, numbering 21 inhabitants mostly women and children, remaining in those lonely wilds, without a protective head, a most deplorable state of affairs, as they have no certainty of obtaining supplies when their present stock obtained from Captain Bascand of the Waipara, become exhausted. Some who have left have expressed great regret that they had beou induced by the flattering prospects held out by the Otago Government to spend two of the best years of their liyes trying to settle that district. One of thg settlers has cleared two acres qf heavy bush timber ready for crops, but in consequence of the non-arrival of the Storm Bird from Dunedin, he was unable to obtain corn for planting this year. Notwithstanding all this, they speak very highly of the place. The climate is salubrious, the soil good, the river and the beautiful Jake with the scenery round are grand beyond description. All that appears to he wanting to make it a thriving place is a little encouragement on the part of the Otago Government, and the opening of a bridle track from Lake M‘Kerrow to the Wakatip. Gold has been found in considerable quantities at Little Martin’s and several other localities south of Martin’s Bay. which could no doubt be made payable if provisions could easily be obtained. The party who took the saw-mill to Martin’s Bay are still determined to put it into operatiou, as soon as they have a chance of doing a little trade by exporting timber, a vast quantity of which the country produces, viz—red and white pine, rata, totara, remu, and iron wood. Many who have left the settlement express a full determination to return and claim tfceir laud, au l and they wpiikl also

induce o hers to come and settle with them, provided better treatment is b stowed upon them by the Goverment of Otago,— West Coast Times.