The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. SATURDAY, MAY 22, 1886. THE LAND FOR THE PEOPLE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1715, 22 May 1886, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. SATURDAY, MAY 22, 1886. THE LAND FOR THE PEOPLE.

We thus prominently remind our readers of the important meeting convened this evening by Messrs Linton and S nelson, for the purpose of ascertaining what quantity of land would be required for a special settlement between Palmerston and Otaki on the Wellington^ Manawatu Railway 'Company's Line. As we understand it the object of the promoters is to induce the Government to purchase a blockj of Country from the Railway Gom/ pany, and sell to any Special Sdti dement Associations" that may be formed at the usual rates; We consider the idea an excellent one, and one that the general public should further by every means m their power. There recently appeared m our columns a descriptive account of a trip by rail to Ohau, m which reference made to the large area of grand country- belonging to the Company, and which will all support;, a large population. But it must be borne m mind that it is the land inland of the line that is specially suitable for Small Farm Settlement associations. That to seaward, in-; eluding the, expanse of swamps, is not suitable for purposes of that kind, but more for reclamation by a syndicate of capitalists, whose outlay and enterprise would be well repaid. Oil the inland side of the line there is an area of magnificent country, not too heavily timbered, dry^yet well watered undulating, arid of good quality, m fact just the very country that is suitable for « small Farm or Special Settlement Asso. ciation Block. Of course, the proxu m»7 of the railway also greatly en, i)i»Q^ ;t« yftltp fgp the pwrpo«e

specified. /We trust the scheme j will be taKen up with enthusiasm, and we consider that Messrs Sm elson and I>«q^>N deserre the thanks of the community for having taken the matter m hand. The meeting will ok held m the Borough Council Chambers, (this evening) at 7 p.m., and wje trust there will be a full attendance, and that a definite and satisfictorily preliminary result will biTichieved; • !