LECTURE ON NEW ZEALAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1381, 20 August 1885, Page 3

LECTURE ON NEW ZEALAND.

A lecture describing the advantages of Taranaki, in the north island of New Zealand, as a field of emigration was given recently at Exeter Hall by Mr W. Courtney, a resident in the colony.— The Chairman was Mr Samuel Morley, M.P., who, in introducing the lecturer, referred to the subject of emigration. He was not there, ho *nid, to press that extremely interesting question, but to facilitate in some degree the acquisition of information with regard to emigration. It was important that ppople should have access to the best information they could g«t with a view to guidn them in arriving at a decision as to the most suitable places to select. (Hem-, hear.) The population of London was being added to every year by 100,000, nnd it became a serious—he would say even a solemn—tiling to consider how this vast population was to live. He hud never seen a ship laden with emigrants leaving the dock without feeling that it was a bad debt to the country to part with men and women who seemed to be driven from our shores to seek a maintenance in other parts of the world. Nevertheless he believed that the moral influence of the country was extended by wise efforts at various times to promote emigration. (Cheers). Mr Courtney described Taranaki as " the garden of JNew Z'-alHiid." Farms of 50 to 500 acres weri to lie had there, varying from £4 to £l2 per acie. They were fiiiced, grafted, and improved. There were also " deferred payment" lands from £1 per acre. Suitable young fello va were wanted as farm hands. Wi'h a grim huihor Mr Courtney added that "if they were worth nothing they would gi-t nothing." Theie was n fair opening for widows. (Laughter). Mr Courtney concluded his lecture by referring at some length to tie climate and scenery of N<-w Z-aland, anoting among other million lies MiArchibald Forbes. The pa« whs then turned down an* some views of the finest [iarts of the colony was shown upon the screen by the aid of the lime light. Mr Courtney had a good audience, and was frequently applauded.—Home Paper.