THE MANCHESTER BLOCK.

Patea Mail, 17 May 1881, Page 3

THE MANCHESTER BLOCK.

In reply to statements made against the progress of settlement in the Manchester Block, Manawatu, the agent of the Colonists Aid Company has quoted figures from late and previous census returns which show the total population of Manawatu County in 1878 to have been 5,730, and 8,738 in 1881. Manchester Block 1,713 in 1878, and 2,860 in 1881. The rest of the Manawatu County 4,017 in 1878, and 5,878 in 1881. These official figures are a conclusive answer to the statement and criticism referred to, for they show that the Manchester Block, which exactly seven years ago was simply an unoccupied waste of forest, has now become a home for more than one-third of the total population of the Manawatu County, and that notwithstanding the depression existing during the last two years, and the stoppage of immigration by the Corporation, the resident population has increased 67 per cent., as against an increase of 46 per cent, in the rest of the county.

The agent goes on to say—lt must moreover be borne in mind that of the 100,000 acres comprised in the Manchester Block, only 60,000 acres have as yet been dealt with by sale or lease. The remaining 40,000 acres having now been surveyed in sections, and opened by good metalled roads, will shortly be put into the market, and an equally rapid occupation and improvement will probably take place on this as on the other part of the block. To prove the success of the systematic colonisation of the Manchester Block, we have only to make a comparison with the adjoining Kiwitea Block, which is also bush land. This block of 24,000 acres was sold by the Government five years ago, and now has a population of only 201, as against 2,860 on 60,000 acres of the Manchester Block ; the difference being chiefly due to the fact that the Manchester Corporation makes its land available for settlement by good metalled roads, which the Government does not do.