WEST COAST SETTLEMENTS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1224, 17 January 1872, Page 2

WEST COAST SETTLEMENTS.

[west coast times.]

The Waipara returned to Hokitika on the sth inst. from Southern Ports. Most of the settlements on the Otaga coast were found to be in next to a starving condition. The miners at Big 33ay had ran short of provisions ; at Jamestown the settlers were found to be exceedingly well and healthy but. looking very thin. On enquiring, it was found that they had run short of provisions about six weeks, there being only about lOOlbs of flour in the whole settlement, and tliat in such a state as made it quite unfit for human food. All through the late severe winter the crops have been retarded considerably, which bus given the settlers no chance of deriving anything from cultivation. Captain Bascand reports that the settlers complained very much of the treatment tht-y had received. Most of the men had gone oyer the Saddle to. get work lat sheep-shearing, leaving their wives and families to look after their grodnd and crops, i t was rumored when the steamer left that there would only ho one man left amongst them in a week's time. At the Haast, Captain Bascand landed about six tons of cargo, and found the people in an almost starving condition, they having been out of provisions for the last six weefe, during wbich time they could get no provisions on account of having nothing to eat.

The following notes respecting the Qtago settlement of Martin's Bay were kindly furnished to us by a passengerwho \db 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 find immediate employment for the inhabitants that they might have the means of subsisting, or e!se send a steamer to take them all away, as they were actually reduced to a state of der pendence. The expression of opinionwas unanimous that the settlers had been shamefully treated and neglected by the Otago Government. We also learn that previous to the visit of the Waipara all the male portion of the little connuunity who could possibly get away had gone over the ►Saddle. Tlie inhabitants ha%e been principally living for some weeks on eeia, mussels, 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 these 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 Capfc. Bascand of the Waipara becomes- exhausted. Some who have left have exr pressed great regret that they had been induced by the flattering prospects held out by the Otago Government to spend two of the beat years of their lives in trying to settle that district. One of the settlers has cleared two acres of heavy bush timber ready for crops, but in consequence of the non-arrival of the Storm Bird from Dunedin, lie was unable to obtain corn fur 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 lake with the scenery round are grant! beyond description, Ail that appears to be wanting :o 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. Cfold has been found ii\ considerable quantities at {jittle Martin's and several other localities south of Martin's Bay, which could no doubt be made payable if provisions could be obtained. The party who took the saw-mill to Martin's Bay are still determined to put into operation, as. upon <\s they have a chance of doing a little trade by exporting timber, a va.-t quantity of which the country produces* viz —red and white pine, rata, totara,, reran, and iron wood. Many who have left the settlement, express a full deter* nutation to return am! claim their land the}' would also induce others tp> come and settle with them, provided better treatment is bestowed upon them, by the Government' of Otago.