The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1877.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 265, 27 October 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1877.

Remarks in our last issue showing the necessity for, and recommending the constitution of Board or appointment of special officer, to promote settlement of waste lands within Patea County, have quickly borne fruit. The subject has been added to those proposed for discussion at Normanby to-day (Saturday). The subjects altogether are so generally felt to be of paramount importance that the necessity of anything in the shape of appeal, with a view of arousing people to action, is unneeded. We fully expect there will be a large ‘ gathering. The attention of all classes, both old settlers and new arrivals / is being turned towards this question of peopling the ■ waste lands, either by special settlements or the construction of roads by Government before sale of land. Given easy access, purchasers and bona fide settlers can quickly be obtained. As indicating the interest felt at Normanby in the proposed Small Farm Association, we may mention, on what we take to be the very best authority, that the proprietor of the saw mill deemed it necessary to stop working for one day to give his men an opportunity of inspecting for themselves the land which the proposed Association intends to apply for. Amongst Parliamentary Papers just to hand is a Report by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill, on the Working of the Deferred Payment System in Southland. A table showing the acreage in possession of each individual and the nature and amount of improvements effected accompanies the Report. Referring to this , the Commissioner says “And here I would ask your attention to the gratifying fact that out of a total number of eighty-two individuals who have taken advantage of the system, only two have bad -their licenses forfeited, and five have abandoned their selections.” It is further stated that with but one or two exceptions all are bona fide settlers. No less a sum than £IO,OOO had been expended by these settlers on their selections, and there were no arrears of payment. Mr D. Campbell, who was appointed to inspect the Deferred Payments Settlement Districts, reporting to the Land Commissioner-, says, that the settlers (with but three exceptions) “ are proceeding with improvement and cultivation ot their respective selections with an energy and spirit of industry highly commendable, which, I believe, will not only do good to themselves, but set an example to many others around them. In my opinion they are bona fide permanent settlers.” Hawke’s Bay papers lately published reports of the annual meetings of two Small 'Farm Associations. The secretary of the Waipukurau Settlement stated (first annual meeting) that the work performed during ■■ the year in the settlement had been very satisfactory, all but two members had cleared the quantity of land required by the second year, and in several cases much more. -A large quantity of grass had been sown on the different sections, and some substantial dwellings erected as well as a general store. Only one member was in arrear with his payments. The Woodville Small Farm Association, the first of the kind established in the Hawke’s' Bay provincial district was arranged in March and April of 1876, and the rules were in August of the same year. The secretary reported at the annual meeting, that good progress had been made by the settlers with their improvements, and that more than the required ten per cent, improvements had been done. Sixteen of the thirtyfour settlors were on their land within the first; twelve months, and others were preparing homes to put their families in. Houses of much more value, than required, by law had been built. ' All of the settlers but two had cleared more or " less, Those -who had felled bush immediately on , getting possession had got grass coming up splendidly, and small lots of cattle had been taken to the settlement. The secretary said “ when yon think of the short time and the great amount of work done, you 51 cannot help coming to the conclusion that the proper class of men have got the land, and it cannot be doubted that the settlement is a great success.” Mr G. F. Robinson, reporting to the Taranaki Waste Lands Board, on the 28th July last, on the second series of allotments taken up in the Moa District, under the deferred payment showed that on the twenty-six holdings . reported on, 185 acres had been cleared in excess- of what was required nnder the Act, and that all but one of the twenty-six holders had'fulfilled the

conditions of occupation. The marked success of the deferred payment system in places so'wide .apart —Southland on the one hand, and Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay on the other —is sufficient, if evidence were needed, to prove conclusively the soundness of the principle of making liberal provision for the settlement of working men and small capitalists on the land. It shows what may be done with bnsh land, if the right men are placed upon it. Last month (September) terms were sanctioned and rules gazetted under the Hawke's Bay Special Settlements Act, for another experiment—‘.‘The Victoria Small Farm xAssociation” (3,560 acres). The settlement is to be divided into allotments not exceeding 150 acres each, ho purchaser to occupy or hold more than 150 acres, nor less than;:;3o acres. The following are the conditions of occupation:— “ Every purchaser shall occupy and clear his selection; and occupation shall mean the enclosing of at least 10 per cent, of the land taken by each purchaser, and clearing the same, and the erection of a house, the value of which shall not be less than £lO before the end of the second year from the date of selection ; and, further, that at least 20 per cent, of the land taken up by each purchaser shall be enclosed with a good and substantial fence, cleared, and put into crop, or laid down in grass, before the end of the fourth year. Clearing shall mean that all trees less than six inches in diameter, or three feet from the ground, shall be felled ; and every purchaser, or his family, shall also actually reside on the land selected during the whole of the third, fifth, and seventh years of the term, unless previous permission in writing to be absent for a period to be specified has been given by the Board, on the recommendation of the chairman, or committee of management.” Many more examples of success and desire for still further settlements could be furnished. Sufficient, however, has been said. In no part oi the colony is settlement more required than in Patea. In no part have the authorities so shamefully neglected this matter, and it would be impossible to find -people anywhere more anxious to promote settlement than are dwellers i.i this County. For a long time the Waimate Plains have been looked upon as the only possible place for settlement hereabouts. The land actually within reach, neglected by the authorities, has been equally overlooked by the people. We trust that the waiting policy is over, and that an organised and determined effort to get the Taranaki and Wellington Waste Land Boards to pay attention to Patea will fae made; and further, that efforts be not relaxed until a local Land Office and Board has been granted. The first step to this end will be the meeting at Normanby to-night.

In the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Major Atkinson gave notice that he would move next day—“ That the House has no confidence in the Government.” Messrs Bunny and Bastings hoped the motion would be postponed till Friday, so as to allow private members business to be gone on with. After a number of questions had been replied to, the Premier complained of the conduct of Major Atkinson in bringing down the motion of Want of Confidence, without allowing the Government time to look into financial affairs, and make the financial statement. They-had not had one clear day since they took office, and were not yet in possession of all necessary information. He would therefore move that the House adjourn till Friday, at 7.30 p.m. Major Atkinson agreed to this, and although several members wished to go on with private business, the House adjourned. Intimation was received by telegraph from Wellington yesterday afternoon that Major Atkinson would commence the Want of Confidence debate on the House meeting in the evening. It was expected Sir George Grey would reply at once.

Measrs J. Strachan Greig" and Co. will hold sale at Hawera' at one o’clock to-day. ■ ’' Tenders for the lease of 160 acres of land will be received by Mr W. Cowern, at Carlyle, until noon of Tuesday.

In report of debt cases heard at Carlyle, in our last issue, the name of Mr I l '. McCusker,‘was printed in error. It should have been 11. Erskine v. F. McCarthy. We regret that such an error should have occurred and therefore take the earliest opportunity of rectifying it. War news received at Sydney on the 23rd, reported the condition ’of the Turks at Plevna as deplorable, and that the Russian General proposed to starve the Turks out. The Russians were gradually closing the western outlets. From the Agent-General’s report to the 17th instant, it would appear that the Turks have been losing ground in several places.

His Lordship Bishop Redwood, and the American Missionary Priest (the RevFather Henneberry), arrived in Carlyle on Wednesday evening last. The Rev Father Kirk, of Wanganui, and the Rev E. Pertuis, were also of the party. A cottage near the Patea Bridge had been prepared for their reception. On Wednesday services were held in the Church, morning and afternoon. Catholics from all parts of the district were in attendance, and the Church was well filled. Services were continued yesterday, and in spite of the boisterous weather, the attendance was large. To-morrow morning services will be held in the Church, and in the afternoon the party will start for Hawera, and the Mission will be opened by a service on Sunday at half-past, ten o’clock. It is possible there may be a late service at Hawera on Sunday. Should it be so, intimation to that effect will bo given daring the morning service. From Hawera, His Lordship and the Rev Father Henneberry, will proceed to New Plymouth, to open the' Mission there probably on Thursday. It is reported that the special collection made in the Catholic Church, Wanganui, on Tuesday evening in aid of the Mission Fund resulted in the handsome total of £BO.

Mr Roberts, the celebrated billiard player, wrote to Mr Haywood, of the Albion Hotel, Carlyle, during the week, stating that after finishing his engagements in Wellington, he would proceed to Wanganui, and on to Carlyle. As soon as possible he would fix a date and telegraph to Mr Haywood. Mr Roberts has been very successful in Ids playing at Wellington. The Government have been advised, under date San Francisco, the 18th instant, that the City of Sydney loft ’Frisco on 10th October with the* London mails of 20th September, contract date, and will therefore be due at Auckland on the 4th November.

The Wellington Argus of Monday last* referring to the caucus of Opposition members, of which Major Atkinson was elected leader, says the Opposition reckon upon five of a majority. The Wellington Argus publishes the following copy of a telegram received by Sir George Grey from Mauuhiri, private secretary of Tawhiao—“Alexandra, October 20th, 1877.- Friend Sir George 'Grey, — Gxeotiiiffo to you. We have board that you have become one of the Government. It is good, as now means will be found for creating good between Emopoans and Maoris.—King’s Secretary.— Manuhiri.” The special correspondent to the Wanganui Herald telegraphed from Wellington on Thursday as follows .—The no confidence motion tabled is exciting much interest. Seven members of the middle party have seceded and gone over to the Opposition. The Wellington clique are again in the same fold. The Government have gained three new supporters, who voted with the last Government. Three or four men are doubtful. The debate will be exhaustive, at least on the Government side.

The following resolution was passed at meeting of the committee of the Wangnui Equitable Land and Building Society, held on Tuesday last :—“That the Managing Director be authorised to open communication with the Waste Lands Board, with the object of obtaining from 5,000 to 10,000 acres of land fit to form a small farm settlement, in connection with this Society.” This is a step in the right direction, and an example which might be well followed by societies in other places. The benefit to the society and to the country generally, if the Land Boards can be got to agree to such arrangements will be immense.

: The Canterbury Times says—The Collector of Customs at Christchurch has been instructed, on the arrival at Port of every vessel from America, to use every possible precaution to prevent the introduction of the pest known as the Colarado . beetle. The Collector is to prohibit the landing of forage, and have all goods likely to harbor carefully searched. Should any of the beetles be found of course they will be destroyed. An exchange says :—Taking the proportion of the Education* reserves to the areas of the Provinces, Auckland has reserved for these purposes one acre in 414; Taranaki one' in 547; Hawke’s Bay one 89 ; Wellington one 256 ; Nelson one in 664 ; Marlborough one in 1,594 ; Westland one in 164 ; Canterbury one in 23 ; Otago and Southland one in 21, the proportion for" the whole Colony being one in 53 acres. The present'value of the whole of the Education reserves in the Colony is estimated by the, various Commissioners of Crown Lands at £1,651,639. Of this sum no - less than , £1,406,432 , represents the value placed, upon the reserves in Canterbury and Otago, leaving only £245,207 of the value of all the rest of the Colony, The Wellington Argus says .•-—All tho single-female immigrants who .arrived by the ship Wairoa, were engaged at wages ranging from 10s to 14a per week. Mr Vesey Stewart, who is now on his mission to secure- settlers for another block of land, to be occupied on similar terms to .the Kati Kati settlement, has sent an interesting account of the journey to : San .;FrancjscoQ and the i Californian ■'States,•, .to , 1 ■the.; 1 ’ Auckland ller t ald x and. :vegrets’"there.;;■ i s. ’ in otb : ft, j? trite.Yankee., go •>b A-v 1 ' '*« d ‘About vyy : yiy . - y y. i lAul.\cs n iV-'. * . objection to j tbs construction of the road. I

Mr Shaldcrs, telegraphist, arrived in Patea yesterday by coach, and will take charge of the Hawera telegraph and post office. Mr Orchiston having been located elsewhere.

Captain Leslie, who so vessel (the Jane Elkin) was wrecked in entering the Patea River, on Sunday, the 14th instant, will take, his departure by coach to-day for Wanganui. He has been a considerable sufferer by the late unfortunate accident, as the insurance money would not enable him to replace his loss. We hear that the loss in personal property—watch, instruments, and so on—will ampunt to over £6O. Should Captain Leslie be able to meet with a suitable craft, be will again occasionally visit Patea. \Vo trust 'that his next venture will be attended with success.

'At the Bank of New Zealand’s halfyearly meeting held in Auckland, the report showed a net profit to 30th September of £72,717. A dividend of 15 per cent, was declared. The, reserve fund was. increased to £25,000. The balance of £1,790 was passed to new account. It was resolved to increase the directors’ honorarium from a thousand pounds to two thousand five hundred pounds.