THE MANCHESTER SETTLEMENT.

Patea Mail, 12 May 1881, Page 4

THE MANCHESTER SETTLEMENT.

The Manawatu Staadard referring to the rumoured purchase of Patetere for the Manchester Corporation says—lt would be a pity that any other block of land should share the same fate that has befallen the Manchester Special Settlement Block, which has been fallaciously pointed to as so grand a success. So far from being so, it has been a grand failure, as nine-tenths of its present inhabitants will declare. No new settlers are attracted thitherward, and we suppose quite five-sixths arc—and likely to remain—in the hands of the Corporation. It has been dignified with the title of a colonising scheme. What are the results ? From Feilding to Cheltenham, a distance of eight miles, there are but six settlers in occupation, from the Kimboltou Road to Ashurst, another long distance, there arc but three or four. Is this colonization ? Of the loudly puffed land, sold at the last sale, perhaps three-fourths, or more, has reverted to the Corporation, the upset price being ridiculously high, and people at the time being land mad. Immediately beyond the Corporation boundary, viz.—in the Kiwitea Block, settlement is advancing rapidly. Mark the difference. The Corporation Block is in the position of that curse to colonial townships and settlements—absentee sections. Its lands are being offered at practically speaking unsaleable rates, and of course no purchasers offer, but go elsewhere.