The Fires.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 351, 28 February 1908, Page 2

The Fires.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. APPRECIATIVE SETTLERS. Mr James Mackenzie,Commissioner of Crown Lands, aasistod by District Surveyor HHazard, and Crown Lands Ranger Jordan, bav« been basily engaged daring the week in making enquiries as to the losses of back settlors in connection with tbe recent disastrous fires, meeting settlers and going over farms at Pirongia, Te Rau-a-moi, Oparau, Awaroa and Kinohaku. There was a large cat Bering (although the notice was short) at each place. At Oparaa, where the tire fiend bad raged so fiercely, the Commissioner

after comieserating with the large number of settlers who met him in front of the Post Office, said that his object iu coming round was simply to see for himself how matters were, so tfiat be would be better fitted to judge when applications for assistance came before him when he returned to Auckland. He was pleased to see that notwithstanding tbe ordeal that they and their wives and children bad passed through recent Iv, none had lost heart and none were despondent. Ofoourse they all understood that with so many calls for assistance it was not intended to help with grass seed those who could help themselves. In all the districts passed through many had told him straight away that they would be glad of rebates of rents, but could pull through without farther assistance. The Commissioneer referred to tbe bright side, and the good tbe fire had done in cleaning up bad burns and old rubbish, increasing tbe carrying capacity iu some cases up to 100 per cent, when re-grassed. After referr iug sympathetically to several cases of special hardship—particularlly that of Mr M'lntosb, who after losing every- , thing iu the Kia Ora wreck, furniture stores and cash, now after re-establish-ing himself lost at one blow, bouse, firmsteadiog and furniture, with bis dairy herd left without a mouthful to ! eat and several destroyed—the Com- ‘ missioner proceeded to Awaroa by ■ launch.

Whilst the Premier was in Hamilton lately a Te Rau-a-moa settier, who was introduced by Mr H. J. Greenslade, M.P., waited upon the Prime Minister on behalf of tbe settlers, pointing out the ‘destruction wrought and the necessity fur Government assistance. The settler said that in many cases the occupiers were unable to supply the grass seed and if tbe aid asked for was withheld, it would mean that tbe land previously brought undsr cultivation would go back, which would mean a hindrance to the progress of I the district.

Sir Joseph Ward, in bis reply, said he fully sympathised with the settiers, not only in the Te Rau-a-moa district, but throughout the Dominion who bad suffered by tbe visitation. He recognised that the question of assistance was one demandiing the careful consideration of the Cabinet, and he promised, if the matter were placed before him in detail, Co do hie best.