The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18,1892.

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 99, 18 February 1892, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1892.

Progress of Settlement ♦ ■ — The report of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce read at the recent meeting of that body is interesting. After recounting the progress made during the year of th.c North Island railways, the subject of land settlement is referred to as follows :— " (Settlement is still progressing in the southern part of the North Island, and there appears to be no decline in the demand for lands suitable for the purpose of industrial occupation. It is to be hoped that the fullest possible facility will be afforded to this most desirable movement, for there can scarcely be a question that the industrial settlement of the land is the surest means of promoting the progress and prosperity of the Colony. Finally, attention is directed to the very favourable position occupied by tho Wellington Provincial District in the census statistics. Out of a total increase of population in the entire colony of 48,170 since tbe census of 1886, no less than 20,189 has accrued in this district, thus leaving only 27,987 for the rest of the colony." It is worthy of note that while (at least in the summary of the report we have to hand) no reference is made to the purchase of the Welliagton-Manawatu Company's line, a desire is shown to urge on the Government the advisableness of completing: the connection between vVoodville and Eketahuna as soon as possible, so that communication with Wellington by the Government railway may be established with Hawkes Bay and the West Coast. The Chamber hopes that next session the amended Bankruptcy Bill will be made law. Of the Property and Income Tax the report says, after referring to the protest entered by the several chambers of commerce in the colony:— "The judgment of these bodies, though completely ignored by those in power, has since been amply verified, by the widespread condemnation and alarm with which the new law has been viewed by capitalists and others outside the Colony. It is to be hoped that wiser counsels will yet prevail, and that the law will be modified before the new taxation is brought into operation." The report is altogether satisfactory, and indicates the gigantic stridos not only the town of Wellington, but the whole of the southern portion of the North Island, are taking in the direction of material prosperity,