VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2549, 31 August 1893, Page 4

VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.

The Departmental report of Mr Marchant Commissioner of Crown Lands, for the past year, contains the following paragraphs relating to the village settlements in Canterbury : Mr Mussen (Inspector North Cantei> bury) comments most favourably on the village settlements: 105 villagers hold 3725 acres, of which 3123 acres are cultivated ; the buildings are valued at £3707, fencing at £1993, cultiyatiou at #1096 ; the settlers possess 180 horses, 321 cattle, 995 sheep, and 98 pigs. Mr Mussen remarks on' the inferior character of the land iu many instances, of their isolation and remoteness, the sparoity of work, of the smallness of the holdings, tendency to overcrop, of the boon conferred by the water-supply paid for by the Government at Chertsey, Mayfield, and Rakaia, of the industry and general fitness of the great advantages which would accrue to the settlements in the event of creameries being established. Notwithstanding all the drawbacks and difficulties, he reports as to tho general success of tie settlements.

" Mr O'Callaghan (Inspector South Canterbury) reports that, on considering the reports of all inspections made during iho year, the conditions of settlements appeal 1 generally yery satisfactory. Only eight deferred-payment selectors [ had not complied with the requirements of the Act. Of the perpetual leaseholders, only 29 had not complied ; many under this head could not do so in consequence of tho unsuitable character of the lands. Selectors are freneraHy anxious to cultivate all available lands.' He reports generally favourably on small grazing runs. He is fully convinced of the success of the yiUasr« homested special settlements system in South Canterbury. Most of the settlers are carrying out the requirements of their leases in a very satisfactory manner,, as instanced by the large amount of improvements and the faot +hat only £257 arrears are duo by 06 selcctoi-3. There are, he states, but few instances of failure. In regard to the Waimate and Studholme jimd™" settlements, Mr O'Callaghan reports that good progress has been made, and that the settlers are displaying much energy in improving their holdings. _ We may safely conclude from this additional testimony that the' village settlement scheme i 3 an inestimable boon to tho community. lam of opiuion that tho system should be extended, even though I the extension should result in apparent 1033 to tho Government.