Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1879. SETTLING THE COUNTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 22, 7 November 1879, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1879. SETTLING THE COUNTRY.

How are we to profitably employ and absorb the large mass of floating population we now possess, and the thousands of immigrants who are likely to make theii- homes amongst us? is a question of vital importance at the jMesent moment. Meeting upon melting of " the unempldyed " have been held in the large centres of population — Christchuroh, Dunedin, Wellington, &c, — and the fact stares us in the face, that at present our oountry appears to be over-

populated, and the supply of labor is greater than the demand. Not only so, but during the last few weeks, several shiploads" of immigrants have arrived in the Colony, representing (we may assume) a considerable in•crease in the number of those out of employment, Soiil further, there is no probability of this influx of population from the Home Country coming to an end. The superlative advantages of New Zealand as a iield for immigration have been prominently brought before the British public since the inauguration of the public works policy iv 1874, and the seed so persistently sown is bringing forth .fruit, in a steady stream of population setting in towards the Colony from the United Kingdom. The best immigration agents the Colony possesses are successful colonists who write home to their friends, informing them of their own pros--ps&'ifa, and m'ging them to come out them§«3^es and share in the same advantages^ A vast amount of that is going on inW^w Bes-land-Tst-ik-m. moment, and whether free immigration be permanently stopped or not, people will not refrain from " trying their luck " in this Colony. Only three days ago a ship arrived in Wellington bringing 212 statute adult passengers — 20 saloon, 30 second cabin, and 102 steerage — for whom the Government have paid nothing, the cost of their passages being borne by themselves. The fact that so large a proportion 'were steerage passengers, proves conclusively that they were persons of what is moro distinctively known as the "'working class," representing artizans, farm. servants, labourers, &c. This shipment may be regarded as the fruit of the seed sown in the past. The public works policy was always intended as a tentative course of action. It was intended to act as a means of stimulating the outflow of population to the country. To secure thie, immigration agents were sent home, and it was always expected that when the resources, prospects, and advantages of New Zealand became known, a large section of the population of Great Britain would pay their own passages, and settle in the Colony. Sir Julius Yogel said in effect : "We need population ; Aye are at the antipodes, and must foster immigration' by pecuniary assistance, uutil our Colony becomes known ; after that is accomplished, the prosperity of the rneii w% bring out will be sufficiently great to induce others to pay their own passages ; but in order to secure this prosperity, we must cany on simultaneously public works, so as to afford employment to the immigrants, and open up the lands of the country." That those were the principles upon which Sir Julius Yogel enunciated his policy, we distinctly lemember. His ideas have been realised, and we regard the arrival of the Wairoa as their outcome. We believe the stream that has begun will increase, and that the question for the future is, not how can we obtain population, but what can we do with it ?

One reply undoubtedly is, employ tliem on publio works. But these must be limited — first, by the amount of the money we can borrow for the purpose ; and second, by the actual necessities of the country. We cannot go borrowing for ever, nor do the necessities of the country demand at present any more than the completion by the State of the main trunk lines of railway. But if we turn to the lands of the Colony, and contemplate the vast capacity for settlement they present, we shall see at once a means of absorbing, not only the present unemployed, but also the population Great Britain will send us for the next fifty years. That is our true and only wise policy — to open up our lands. "When an immigrant arrives in the Colony, he should he at once taken to the Land Office, and every information' afforded him to induce him to take up a section. We should not wait for liim to seek us. We should seek him. As each block was laid off for sale, the men who took up sections should be guaranteed work in making roads, bridges, &c w sufficient to give them a good start in life.

We desire to give our remarks a local application. Between Foxton ancl Paikakariki are hundreds of thousands of acres of the finest land, in New Zealand, over a very great portion of which the Government have a lien. We wish to ask, why are not these purchases,, completed, and the land thrown open for settlement ? Upon one single block — the Horowhenua — comprising 52,000 acres, the only amount paid is £64 ; yet the small payment referred to gives to the Government a lien upon the land. Many other blocks are in the same position. Various amounts of money have been paid upon them, but the purchases are not completed, and the land is locked up. Why is this ? Either there is incompetency or mismanagement somewhere. We have it on the authority of several gentlemen well acquainted with the natives, and able to judge, that there is no real difficulty in the way, and that if the effort were made, the natives would, in most cases, willingly complete the purchases. As our readers know, a gentleman resides in the district, who holds the office of Native Lands Commissioner, and his especial duty is to push on these purchases. At present, matters appear to hang fire to an extent which

warrants ns in stating that they should be' looked into. We hope soon to have some reliable information as to the state of the purchases south of the Manawatu River. If that • country wore pushed through tho Court, the purchases completed, and the land thrown open, it would be a boon to the City of Wellington, affording an outlet for its surplus population, and would afford homes for several thousands of people.

AitnivALs from Home. — The ship Wairoa arrived at Wellington on Tuesday last, from London, aftor a passage of 110 days. Her passenger list includes 212 statute adults, making about 250 souls. As a satisfactory feature in these arrivals from home, it may be mentionod that none of them are Govornment immigrants, the passengers throughout having pnid their own passages. We trust this shipload is tho precursor of many more of a similar character. The payment by immigrants uf their own pas sage is a guarantoe that they are of the right stamp — men and women who will become incorporated with the " bone and sinew" of the country. They will probably jn'QYfi. tp.huye^ sufficient monsjr__._j.p--start th --msi'lves in coljniai AYe, and it is to be hoped every assistance will be afforded them by the Government.

The Tuitx op tub Tide.— The funds of the Foxton Local Board . have ror somo little time past been so low, that necessary works have been brought to a standstill, and the Boaid compelled to obtain an overdraft for payment of the Clerk's salary, and overdue acccounts. On Weduesday afternoon, as will be seen by our report, the Cliairman advised the Board to exercise great caution, so as to prevent the increase of tIA overdraft, and the aspect of the municipal affairs was decidedly gl.iuiny. Before the close of thp meeting, however, Air Flower waited on the Board witii tlie welcome news that the subsidy had been paid, the ,sum of .£ll3 15a lOd having beou lodged to the credit of the Board, as a first moieiy of the subsidy of £ for £ upon the £227 lla 9d collected as ri.tes during the year ended March 31, 1879. The news was received with satisfaction, and a sUh of relief was sent forth by the Board. We may explain thafc ns the subsidy jusfc received was long overdue, the second moiety should arrive before loug.

The Prisoners. — Tho Premier stated on Tuesday last thafc the Government have no intention of interfering with the view of preventing the law from taking its course a i regards tho Maori prisoners.

Colonel Bnr.TT. — The Hon. Colonel Brett has a certain reputation for what is known as " front," but his latest display is one of his richest. lie actually asked the Government to place tlie steamer Hinemoa at the disposal of members of Parliament fiom thn Gth to. the 12th inst., in order that they mi^ht proceed to Christchurch to witness the cattle show. Tho Government vnry properly declined to do anything of the sort.

Hot Compktitjox. — The Timara Herald atates that a resident in Canterbury recently receired the following : — " v\ o will insert the enclosed advertisement which appears in the (naming another paper), for 23 per ceitt. less than it does. Please let us know their prico, and instruct as to number of insertions." Tho reply was as follows : — " Dear Sir,— Thanks for your offer, which I take tho earliest opportunity of accepting - . The (naming tho paper in which the advertisement had already appeared) inserts it for nothing, and as you state in writing you will do it for 25 per cent, less, I shall be glad to receive a cheque for the difference at your earliest convenience." The Evening Telegraph is indignant, and remarks thut "it is not businesslike to do work for nothing."

Timber. — The Wellington papers note a marked revival in the timber trade with the i\l ail borough ports and Kaipara, and that the arrivals of timber-laden vessels are becoming very frequent. Th" imports of timber during the three days ending We.lne.sdav last exceeded 250,000 ft.

What is a Legal Cheque f — Thu following question has been asked by a subscriber to the Australian Insurance and Banking Record of Bth October .-—"Under the laws of England tho drawer of a cheque for less than £1 is liable to a fine. Is any penulty incurred by persons negoci-iting such a cheque, or by the bank ou which it is drnwn paying same H Can you also state the law and practice in tha Colonies f Would a bank incur any liabilily by dishonouring a cheque for less than £1 ? Reply. — The law which imposad a penalty for rfrawixg a cheque for the sum under jl has boen repealed in Victoria." Our impression is that the English law still prevails in the other Colonies. Its purport is that a cheque for less than 20a is illegal, and that the uttering or negotiating .inch an instrument subjects the offender to a penalty of i'2o, whicli may be reduced to £s. —Ashburton Mail.

Wet-lisgtou Foxton Railway. — In the House of Representatives, on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Hislop asked the Government — (I) If it is true that a contract lias been let, involving an expenditure of 466,000 pr thereabouts, for reclamation at Pipitea, and the construction of the Wellington to Foxton railway; and, if so, out of what approp.iation such sum is payablo? (2)/ The respective amounts to be expended on reclamation aud railway construction. (3) The probable cost of tho construction of tho Wellington to Foxton line, and when it is supposed it will be completed (4) The total area of land which has been acquired from the natives since the 27th day August, 1878, and which is contiguous to or will be rendered available for settlement by tlie constiuctiou of sucb line, and the proceeds of which will be available towards payment of the cost of such- construction ? (o) Aho, the total cost of such land, and the amount which it is estimated will be received from the samo after constructing ofthe railway ? The Minister for Pubho Works replied that the Government had informed thd lowest tenderer that they would accept his tender so soon as authorised by the House. He could not answer that part of the question relating te the purohase and cost of the land. '

Beware.—- We call the attention o£ Mr Crowther's customers to an important, advertisement in anoiher column.

Pbomotion. — We are pleased to learn that Mr Berriman, who for a considerable time was chief officer of the Tui, but was removed to a similar position in the Huia when that boat started running, has been promoted to the command of the former steamer. We join with the many friends Mr Berriman has made whilst engaged in tho coastal trade, in wishing hini success in his new position. Ho assumes command of the Tui at the beginning of the ensuing month.

West Coast Troubles. — In the Legislative Council on Tuesday, the Hon. G. Buckley asked the Government, what is the amount of extra expenditure p?r month now being incurred in the West Coast District, in consequence of tho Maori dib-

turbnnces there ; und the number of Armed Constabulary, also volunteers, receiving pay Or allowances from the Government in that district/ Tha Attorney -General' replied that tho expenditure was about £5600 per month, and that thore were G'2 members of the Armed Constabulary. He also sUtrfd lluifc there were no volunteers receiving pay, but that 69 men were drilled at the expense of the Government. Sale.— The Foxton bailiff announces a sale of horses, &c, at tho residence of Mr Rerreau, Tramway, on Monduy next. Agency. — Messrs Johnston &? Co, who have purchased the interest of Mr G. M. Kebbell in the steamers Huia and Tui, will shortly assume the Wellington agencyvof those steamers. Holiday. — On Monday next the Custom Houso at Foxton will be closed iv honor of the Prince of Wales' Birthday. To Teachers. — We have been requested by Mr A. A. Browne, Secretary to the Wanganui Education Board, to state that any teachers desiring to present themselves at the forthcoming examination, In be held in March next, for the purpose of obtaining classification, must givo notice to tho Hon. the Minister ol Induction before the firsfc day of January. Proper fonts of applcalion may be obtained from Mr Browne. ■TxtEXsIRZ Ft.w.fAsraxTS. — The Triennial Parliaments Bill was considered in" 'cdftr Imittee by the Lower House on Tuesday night. Mr Murray desired the word " triennial" altered to "quadrennial," but the House was opposed to the change. A clause was finally inserted, providing that if not previously dissolved, the present Parliament should expire on February 2S, 1832. Divorces. — The Government, in reply to a question, have promised to tako into consideration the necessity of simplifying and rendering less expensive the- procedure of the Divoico Courts in this Colony, so that it sh ill nofc b« necessary in all cases for suitors therein to appear before the I Appeal Court. Death Fkom Cur_o:ui_. — A few day* ago, a man named .Robert Scales was fouud dead in his bad at tlio Nutionol Hotel. The evidence adduced at the inquest showed that dealh was oaused by poisoning, tiirough deceased having taken au overdose of choral. In summing up.the Coroner said it appeared to him t hat tho jury would have no difficulty iv coming to a decision as to the cause of death. All the evidence pointed conclusively to the faot thafc deceased had died froiiij an overdose of chloral. He should suggest that they oughfc to add to their verdic/a rider in reference to the careless way the drug had been supplied. Uo could not un derstaiid a medical man giving out any such bottle. Tlio general custom was to give only two or three doses, aud never such a quantity that if taken all ufc once, would cau:ie death. How busiuess conld be carried on by druggists in such a reckless' way he could nofc comprehend. Chloral seemed to be treated Hire an ordinary article of trade, whereas really it was a most dangerous drug. After taking one dose a man, was not in a lit state to Say whother ho ought to take another dose or not. The evidence of one witness showed that it was uo exceptional case which had occurred, but that the practice of supplying chloral indiscriminately was common in the trade. They should attach a rider to their verdict calculated to call the attention of the Government to the subject. The jury ro turned a verdict that death resulted from an overdose of chloral, and attached a rider urging upou the Government the necessity ■}( putting restrictions upon the trade in this drug.