THE EARLY SETTLERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4379, 2 April 1875, Page 2

THE EARLY SETTLERS.

TO TflK EDITOR. Sir,—-I have read with great interest several letters published by Mr. J. H. Wallace ami other gentlemen, respecting the claims of the early settlors to compensation for the hardships and ditllculties they had to contend with in colonising this country. Being one of the early settlors myself, who arrived by the ship Adelaide in 18*10, I can fully appreciate the arguments brought forward by the writers of those letters, and there is still another claim which those gentlemen have omitted to mention, ami that is, many of the early settlers \\ho bought land from the New Zealand Company thirty-five years ago have not yet got it surveyed hy the Government. I am one of those unfortunates, amongst others, in the Porirua and Tukapu districts, And although we have for some years past appealed to the Commissioner of Crown Lamia, and also to the Chief Surveyor, so far as I can sco wc are not a hit nearer insetting our just and reasonable request complied with than wo were at the beginning. I am at- the present time clearing a section of land, judging it to bo mine from its position on the map. I must also erect a fence to prevent the trespass of cattle; and it is very probable that when the land is surveyed and the boundary lines given I shall find I have been clearing and improving a portion of my neighbor’s land. Now, this will he very hard, especially when wo know that the man who came into the colony only last week can select and purchase his hind with the boundaries already pegged off. I have recently taken a trip up the West Coast through Palmerston to the Manawatu Gorge, and back through FeUding and Samlon, and was much pleased to see the progress that has been made in these districts. And no doubt the high price lately obtained for land In Palmerston and Bunuythorpo is a strong inducement for the Government to survey now blocks of land for sale, as it helps to swell the revenue. Now, sir, I quite agree with the policy of the Government in making roads and railways and opening up the country for people to settle upon, but is it fair that the pioneers of the colony should bo so long neglected while all this is being done.. Why not Increase the number on the survey staff and get the arrears of work completed, then there could be no complaints made on this subject,—l am, &c., Fiua. Bradey,