The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1885. SPECIAL SETTLEMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 80, 7 March 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1885. SPECIAL SETTLEMENTS.

The appointment of Mr H. Bunny, as one of the tluee who are to value the lands applied for by the Special Settlement Associations m this district; is viewed with much disfavour. Rightly or wrougly Mr Bunny is credited with being hostile to Special Settlement Associations, and it is believed lhat he Mill recommend a* prohibitive price, thus sounding the death-knelt of the Associations, which we look upon &a the moat promising institutions which have been called into existence during the present administration. To apeak the aim pie truth, but few of the members of the Special Settlement Ahsoc-z acions have any confidence m Mr Bunny. As a body they mistrust him altogether, and feel assured that his official report will tend to break \jp the Associations inaugurated under such promising auspice*. It is

commonly reported that Mr Bunny is likely to value the land, which the Associations were given to understand would lie obtainable at about £1 per •acre, at double or treble that .unount. But will the Minister permit the Associations to be .so dealt with ? We hope and trust noi. We believe m Mr Ballancis's sincerity m the case of land settlement, and congratulate him on ihe entire success achieved t>y the Associations which were mainly called into existence through his instrumentality. We look to him to fulfil his promises made to the Associations, and prevent them from being ernbaraased at the outset by any action calculated to render their formation and origin abortive.