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Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3032, 2 November 1878, Page 2

Singe the above paragraph was written we hare seen the Herald's report of the proceedings of the Auckland Waste Lacis Board, at which.a letter was read and considered from Mr Wm, Davies, Chairman of the Thames Special Settlement AssQciation, requesting that land in the Aroha Block might be sot aside for their requirements, to which answer waa directed to be made that the Board had no official intimation of any alteration being made by the Government in regard to the previous disposal of the block to Mr Broomhall. Commenting on the application our Auckland contemporary says : —" We observe that at the meeting of the Waste Lands Board yesterday a letter was read asking that the land specified might be set apart for some ' Special Settlement Association.' It would be reprehensible I if the Board would do anything which would give a preference to the members of any association. The land ought to, be dealt with in' such a way as would j encourage the smaller class of settlers, and every person should be put exactly on the same terms." At the same Lands Board meeting a letter was received from Joseph Kinnerly " asking when the lands of the Waiharekeke block would be opened on the deferred payment system. He hoped to be able to locate on it a settlement of Welsh farmers, each worth from £400 to £(300. It Was decided to keep the applicant posted regarding the block in question." It will thus be seen that longing eyes from outside are cast upon the Upper Thames lands, and when they are thrown open there will be competition. We cannot agree with the Herald that it would be reprehensible if any preference were given to the members of an association. [Rather, it would be an act of tardy justice to persons here who received promises years; ago that: they would have a preference whenever the. lands were acquired. We do not contend for any great concessions in the matter of price, but a redemption of the promises made by Superintendents and Ministers, which induced men to remain here when land was to be had for a very low figure in other parts of the Colony. We cordially agree with the latter portion of the Herald's, comments, suggesting that ithe land be dealt with so as to encourage small settlers, but that might be secured by some kind of special settlement on the deferred payment system; which certainly would not be inimical to the encouragement of small settlers.