THE KERMADEC SETTLEMENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 469, 7 May 1890, Page 6

THE KERMADEC SETTLEMENT.

Mb Stratford, who is a settler on Sunday Island,in the Kermadec Group, called on us this morning with reference to the statements made by the people who returned from the newly-formed settlement at Denham Bay by the steamer Hinemoa, He has taken up land on the island under tho Association, arid has been in town for five months past awaiting a chance of reaching the island again by a vessel calling in there. Mr Stratford very strongly impeaches the accuracy of the statements made by the men who returned regarding the alleged failure of the setbement, and denies that such is the case. The people who returned, he says, were not bona fide settlers, with one exception, that of Mr Taylor. There has been no failure, he maintains, inasmuch as the scheme of settlement has nob yeb had a fair trial. It is too early yeb, he thinks, to speak of the settlement as a failure. Many of the settlers arrived too late for the planting season, which was their own fault, and others arrived without sufficient provisions and other necessaries, which practical men knew were indispensable in founding a settlement. Had the original batch of settlers arrived in time for the planting season their crops would have been secured or harvested before the hibernating season of the rats was over and they commenced their depredations. Then some of the settlers had to be supported by Mr Hovell, the promoter of the settlement, out of his own stores, through their want of foresight. Mr Stratford believes that there are some parties in New Zealand who would not be soiry bo see the Sunday Island settlement a failure. Many of the settlers were unfitted for the pioneer work of colonisation, having had no previous experience. He believes that the land at Denham Bay is fully sufficient to maintain in comfort two hundred people. He believes that the original settlers left behind on Sunday Island will never regret remaining there, for the place only needs to be given a fair trial. It must be observed, however, that as five months have elapsed since Mr Stratford left the island, he cannot speak from personal knowledge of the recent experiences of the settlers.