THE JACKSON BAY SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 232, 19 February 1876, Page 11

THE JACKSON BAY SETTLEMENT.

We republish the following letter, addressed to the • Editor of the New Zealasd Times, as forming part of the Jackson's Bay correspondence, which will be found on page eighteen:— Sir, —I had no intention of troubling you again after you were so good as to insert my last letter on the above subject, but for reading your telegraphic news from the West Coast, in which it is stated that the West Coast Times pours out its indignity at the statements made by your correspondent, Mr. C. Hoos, in reference to the management and the supervision over the would-be settlers at the Bay. I will not here attempt to question the right of the West Coast Times to bolster up what it must, and does, know full well to be a mismanaged and suspicious-looking piece of jobbery from the very commencement when Jackson Bay was first mentioned as a proper settlement for the people. I maintain that it never was intended by the promoter of this scheme that it ever should benefit anyone except his own steamboat and his breeches pocket. Jackson Bay, from my own personal observation, is denied by nature the facilities of ever settling down contentedly the class of settlers necessary to pioneer and open up a new district. I formed one of a number of miners some three years ago hoping to find what certain paid agents of a particular steamer led us to believe to be there in abundance, viz., gold ; and what was the result ? After a careful overhauling of the whole surrounding country for upwards of three weeks, it proved to be at the end what it was at the beginning, a delusion, and a "duffer" of the worst kind. A return trip by the particular steamer, with large profits to her owner, was the only good result come out of it. The West Coast Times did not raise its voice against the originators of that false "rush" any more than it would do so against the promoter of the Jackson Bay settlement. Why ? Because it would not suit the purpose of a newspaper proprietary to kick its patrons, or maybe a shareholder in its concern. Other industries besides mining have been tried and proved failures at the settlement. Timber land there is none ; farming land there is none, except for the growth of some leeks and cabbage, to suit the palate of some peculiar nationalities. Then what is there likely to be to induce people to settle and inhabit a wild wilderness of the worst type, at a cost to the whole colony, and borrowed monies to a monstrous extent? It is all very well for the West Coast Times to crow upon its own dungheap. It is very well to announce that Mr. Jas. Bonar, the Superintendent of the province, is not now a part owner of the Waipara steamer; that he has sold his interest in her. But would the West Coast Times deny that the Superintendent was a third owner in that very accommodating steamer when all those past "rushes" were created, and the Jackson Bay settlement formed through his influence ? Subsidies obtained from the county government by means the reverse from fair—did any other coasting steamer enjoy the same amount of patronage as the Waipara commanded whilst her third owner was at the helm of country affairs. These are questions the West Coast Times cannot fairly and satisfactorily answer, but would afford food for an honest board of inquiry, so strongly advocated by the same journal. The public is informed by telegram that Mr. James Bonar, the Superintendent of the province of Westland, has sold out of the Waipara. Well and good, if true; but the question then is, would this supposed sale have realised as much had not the same Mr. James Bonar obtained the subsidies, and by his "disinterestedness " promoted Jackson Bay as a settlement under the Immigration Act, and all the other emoluments thereto belonging ? I pause for reply. But catch Mr. James Bonar not making hay whilst the sun shines, or whilst he holds the reins to ride his hobby. Having trespassed too much, I fear, upon your space, I shall not trouble you any more until the next time.—l am, &e., ScHIDERFAGEN. Wellington, February 17.