Telegraphic Despatches.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 341, 25 March 1874, Page 2

Telegraphic Despatches.

ARRITAL OF MR. HOLLOWAY AT ROXBURGH. (By " Tuapeka Times " Special Reporter.) Roxburgh, 24th March. Mr. Holloway arrived here yesterday, and, on the invitation of the Progress Committee, met about 100 inhabitants in Beighton's Assembly Room in evening. Mr. J. Beighton occupied the chair, and called upon Mr. G. Mackay, who read a -very comprehensive statement embodying complaints of the inhfibifants against the ruling powers for years past in reference to the manner in which land in this district had been disposed of. Mr. Mackay explained to Mr. Holloway the land laws of the province, and amendments which had been made on same for the last 10 years. Several settlers then related the difficulties, they had encountered in getting land in the district to settle upon, and the obstructions generally placed in the way of settlement. Mr. Mackay and the Chairman challenged

any one to gainsay the statements made. The Chairman thought Mr. Holloway should he careful to whom he entrusted himself for advice j even the Superintendent should not be too freely trusted. Mr. Holloway thanked the meeting most heartily for the kind welcome, for the address presented him, and for the information supplied him. He was not prepared to have such a dark picture laid before him as he had that night. In bi» journey he had had a very different picture presented to him when he first came into Dunedin. He was struck with the healthy and peaceable appearance of the people, and drew the inference that things were prosperous. He had no doubt the people of Roxburgh had their grievances. He himself was a labouring man, and therefore took a great interest in all that concerned the laboring class, and was glad to do what ha could for them. After all he had heard he did not think they had so much to complain of, especially if they considered the class at home he was endeavoring to benefit. Several shillings a week was all the laborers in Dorsetshire obtained for six long days' work to support his wife and family, and he thought that even at Roxburgh they had not been reduced to that. The object of his^ mission was to see if New Zealand pr^*^ sented a favorable field for his countrymen, to examine into the capabilities and resources of .the country, and to . see tif a fair rate of wages was obtainable; also to ascertain if after two or three years work an industrious man would have a chance of purchasing a few acres. Until his visit to Roxburgh, he had thought the Government v had hit on the very system likely to accome plish the end in view, viz., the system of r, opening land on deferred payment. He 'c thought the difficulties brought before him by ''- the meeting would soon be overcome. He hoped this Bystem would be carried out in all 'jj its integrity, for he believed the prosperity of the country did not depend upon large landed ;i_ estates, but on numerous small holdings. If ;y the Government wishes to have a large '- and prosperous country the only way ?r? r was to lay out the land in the deferred l " payment system, and instead of 30,000 acres ,g, g 100,000 should be thrown open, thus giving y . all an opportunity of obtaining on the course tt of a few years a freehold farm. He did not sr, expect to have to address the meeting, other°f wise he would have prepared himself for it. 1( * He proposed, after completing his tour of ? the province, giving expression to his idea* he regarding what he had Been and heard. He ye would remark that he had not allowed himp- self to be influenced unduly by any individual or individuals. The information he wa3 as obtaining was from reading, and from conon versations with both large and small property as owners, and with people of his owu class. r| On the motion of Mr. G. Ireland, M.P.C., he a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. .—. — Holloway. !n " At the close of the public masting, tho rn * Progress Association resolved that a statement showing the prospects held out to at working men in Otago be forwarded to the lin different Agricultural Laborers' Unions and on the leading newspapers throughout the Unitel of Kingdom. ' as To-day, Mr. Holloway and several of the . " leading residents have gone to inspect the celebrated- Shingle and other block's thrown ,. ls and promised to be thrown open by the»pt Government.