Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER & ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1872. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 217, 28 March 1872, Page 4

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER & ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1872. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

The General Government, recognising that the success of the public works scheme mainly depends on the settlement of a large population on the waste lands of the colony, are making strenuous efforts "to promote, foster, and extend such settlement. They are endeavouring, by every means in their power, to stimulate the progress of settlement in localities where it has already, under their auspices, commenced, and they further purpose to people, with suitable colonists, the reputed inhospitable shores of Stewart's Island, and the southern and western coasts of Otago. Although the mode in which this colonisation is being effected is open to question, no one will gainsay that the policy is one calculated to advance the prosperity of the colony, and to place that prosperity on a sure foundation, thereby ensuring its permanence. While the General Government are thus practically staking the credit of the colony o'u their success in attaching a large population to the soil, it may not be out of place to inquire what are the Provincial authorities of Otago doing to help them to win. It is notorious that on the goldfields of this province there -is an extensive demand for agricultural land, and also that there is a sufficiency of agricultural land to meet that demand. These conditions, one would suppose,- are exceedingly favourable to the rapid progress of settlement ; and so they would be, were the natural laws of supply and demand allowed free operation ; but our Provincial legislators seem to have come to the conclusion that these laws shall uot be allowed to operate. Consequently, on the goldfields, thousands of acres of ferlile land are lying waste; hundreds of men, who would gladly cultivate those lands, are idling their time and spending their money unproductively, waiting for an opportunity to establish homes for themselves, or are leaving for countries where their savings and energies will be welcomed ; and dissatisfaction and stagnation are universal. The reports from the Cape diamond fields are unsettling the minds of many, who, were they permanently attached to the country by holding property in it, would feel no inclination to wander ; and it must be recollected that those who may go these fields are our most valuable colonists — men of energy and enterprise, and of thrifty habits, for those who are not thrifty do not possess the necessary means to undertake such an expedition. The Provincial Government are undoubtedly to blame for this deplorable state of affairs. True it is that the legislation of the General Assembty has vexatiously trammelled the opening of land for settlement ; but it is also true that machinery exists whereby the demand for land could be satisfied for a time — perhaps until more liberal law£ were enacted by the General Assembly. The ruling party in Otago obtained their power by championing the cause of settlement. Their presumed leader, Mr. Donald Reid, in his canvass of the goldfields for the Superintendency, promised that in districts where laud was urgently required, it should be thrown open without delay. In the Tuapeka district, large blocks on the Bellamy run ; at the Teviot, a block in exchange for the Shtegle Block, of evil fame ; and at the Dunstan, a block on Messrs. Gregg and Turnbull's run, •were specially indicated as lands to be rendered available for settlement immediately. What steps have been taken to redeem these promises 1 It is instructive to compare the actions of the General with those of

the Provincial Government. The former is introducing immigrants from Europe to populate districts remote from markets, and till recently considered almost uninhabitable ; the latter with population on the spot anxious to cultivate waste lands in close proximity to everincreasing markets, decline to exert themselves in the least to aid settlement. Yet we are called upon to execrate the former and to admire the latter !

The province is on the verge of bankruptcy. A sacrifice of some of its most valuable assets was recently necessary to prevent a stoppage of payments. If the Executive persist much longer in their present course of preventing the occupation of thelands, the Moa Flat job will assuredly be eclipsed.

The answer given by the Provincial Treasurer to the request made by the Secretary of the Tuapeka Hospital for the subsidy due to that institution is. an exhibition of the most cold-blooded inhumanity we ever had the misfortune to come across. Told in the plainest language possible that the subsidy was urgently needed, that thV\ banks refused accommodation, th ' the tradesmen who supplied "Hi? Hospital were clamoring for the amounts owing to them and that if not paid they would probably refuse further supplies, that in fact the institution could not be carried on, unless the subsidy was paid Mr. Donald Reid^ coolly replies " that the amount voted for the maintenance of country hospitals has been expended, and that therefore he could not accede to the request." Where has the money been expended 1 and why is the "IFuapeka Hospital robbed of its just dues in this manner. Surely it was sufficient to reduce the subsidy without depriving the Hospital without warning of assistance altogether, Why in the name of all that is business-like was the Committee not previously informed that there was no money to meet their claims. Why were they allowed te enter into engagements, reckoning on receiving the subsidy, when the Provincial Treasurer well knew that that subsidy could not be paid ? How are the sick and maimed to be cared for ? Are they to be allowed to perish because "the amount vo.ted for the maintenance of country Hospitals has been expended ? " '

It must be highly gratifying to the newly-elected Committee, a/tev reducing the expenses of the institution by £400 a year, and making every effort to collect sufficient money to maintain the Hospital in a state * of efficiency, to have all their measures thwarted and their exertions nullified by the action of the Provincial Treasurer. Should the Committee resign and throw the responsibility of maintaining the Hospital on the Government, the whole of the blame will rest oa the Provincial Treasurer. If the institution is closed, and the destitute sick and wounded left untendecL he will be responsible for £i^L sufferings. Surely, in a case of emergency like that of the Tuapeka Hospital, the trammels of red tape can be broken through. Every year there is some unauthorised expenditure : incurred by the Government, which is afterwards ratified by the Provincial Council. An opportunity now presents itself of the Provincial Treasurer redeeming some of his past errors by signalising his official life by one praiseworthy act. Let him, if there is money in the Treasury, give the Tuapeka Hospital the amount of the subsidy due without authority. We are sure that when the matter is brought before the Council not a single member but will approve of the expenditure. This is the only way to keep the Hospital open. The credit of the Provincial Government is at such a low ebb that the banks will not advance a shilling against money owing by them, so there is no hope of aid from that quarter. The adoption of our suggestion is the only way to prevent such a calamity as the closing of the Tuapeka Hospital.

The Hotnan Catholic Church in Colonsay sfrret, has heen entirely remover] by a large narty of irinera of that denomination, wh^ Save their services gratuitously. The same party also worked jfor a week in improving the bank behind the'school house. In answer to a request, for the subsidy due to the Tunpelta Hospital, the Secretary of that institution was informed by the "Provincial Treasurer, that the amount voted for the maintenance of country hospitals, had been expended ami consequently tho request could not- be acceded to.

Wo ire requested by the Rev. Mr. Beau-

wont, to gire &n 'unqualified contradiction io ' ihe grateiufn* *nu #i fi- tr. .»u •«••'•• -.- -- o w^eks ago- b;» " F .Tenax." i' :t -. ■ :,' .-, had been formed between tr " . , - ; England and Rome to ebtah.'. . .• , ■■:->.,:: denominational education in Nt - 2 a^a'J