THE VESEY STEWART SPECIAL SETTLEMENT SCHEME.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 158, 7 December 1874, Page 3

THE VESEY STEWART SPECIAL SETTLEMENT SCHEME.

Most of our readers will recollect, says the Post, the name of Mr George Vcscy Stewait, who came out to this colony in the Mongol, with the view of forming a special settlement. He ultimately fixed on the neighbourhood of Tauranga as a suitable place, but the Government began to throw obstacles in his way. We commented on the facts at the time, and before Mr Stewart left a more satisfactory understanding was, we believe, established between the Government and himself. We have now before us a copy of the Tyrone Constitution of 18th September, containing an account of Mr Stewart’s reception on his return to liallygawley. He is reported to have received a truly Irish welcome from all classes and denominations. The Constitution says:— “On the evening of the 10th instant, George Vescy Stewart, Esq, arrived in Ballygawlcy, on his return from New Zealand, whither he had gone nine months ago ; and he received a truly hearty Irish welcome from his friends, neighbours, and townsmen of all classes and denominations. Though there was no certain knowledge among the people of the time of his coming home till about four o’clock in the afternoon —at which time he reached Martry House, the residence of his father, Captain Mervyn Stewart—the news spread like wildfire, and when he and his amiable wife drove into liallygawley, a little before eight o’clock, the whole town was brilliantly illuminated from one end to the other, the inhabitants, without distinction of class or creed, vicing with each other in according to Mr Stewart a genuine read mille failtho. Mr Stewart briefly addressed the assembled multitude, stating that nine months ago he had set out for New Zealand with the view of selecting and securing a block of land in that distant colony for himself and for a number of his countrymen who might feel inclined to go out with him to that healthy and fertile country. After much trouble and long delay be had entirely succeeded in his mission, having secured from the Government of the country 10,000 acres of the best land in the whole colony free for ever for himself and his countrymen who would emigrate with him. The block of land was at present worth £50,000, and would in a short time be worth £200,000. He then gave a short account of his journeying, having travelled by sea and land upwards of 50,000 miles, and expressed his intentention of delivering lectures on the colony of New Zealand, his dealings with the Government, and on his travels generally. He thanked them from the bottom of his heart for the manner in which his health and that of his family had been proposed by Mr Smyth, and received by that assembly; and he assured them that be would cherish to his dying day a grateful remembrance of the hearty reception and universal welcome accorded to him by his countrymen. The procession then reformed, and with music and cheers, conducted him again through town (still brilliantly illuminated) to bis residence at Lisbcg House, which was lighted up from the basement to the topmost story, and in front of which a large bonfire blazed, announcing for miles around the joyful tidings of Mr Stewart’s return to his home. Refreshment was liberally served out to all assembled in front of the mansion by the honored host and hostess.”^ A gentlem n in this city has received a letter from Mr Stewart, dated 20th September, stating that the necessary applications have already been lodged in respect to the 10,000 acres, that his list cf immigrants to occupy it was filled in ten days, and that he could have obtained suitable immigrants to take up three times the quantity of land. Arrangements for the departure of the immigrants were being rapidly carried on. It inny be interesting to note that each head of a family emigrating under Mr Stewart’s scheme is required to procure a draft for £IOO, payable iu the colony, so that we arc likely to have in his settlement a valuable accession of excellent settlers, each in his way a small capitalist.