The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1885. VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1941, 17 March 1885, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1885. VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.

Any scheme is worth consideration which promises to modify the hardships to which many day-laborers are subject from the fitful nature of tho employments in which tlielargerproportionofthemareengaged—especially as'the irregular nature of these employments is ,: periodically intensified by periods of depression. So, although the by no-means new scheme, advocated by Sir Julius Voobl in his late speeoh at Christchurch, of 'village settlements, has been tried, wedo not think ithad altogether a fair chance and, we believe, is again worth .consideration. The scheme was a pet one

with Mr Rolleston, who attempted to

carry it to success on tho West Coast of the Taranaki Provincial District, but met with decided failure.' He had fine land at his disposal, but, we think overlooked the flQint whero the success xjfisuch a Bchemomust rest,, The object,'we. Imag v ine, of this sehome is to induce working men to occupy small areas of land which will hardly need their whole attention,' but on which they may labor when out of •employment,;or at any rate.during a.portion of the year. It is essential, therefore that these settlements should be near the labor centreSj-or'beiii.proporfcioh" only to the labor market in the immediate vicinity. This condition was. wanting to a large extent along the West Coastabove mentioned—hence'the failure to induce working ineiv to, settle in the .village settle' ments. The scheme itself in theory is good, suggesting the picturo of each laborer having a home to fall back upon, and a well-stocked plot of land from which to aid his moderate yearly wages. But at this stage of the colony there are difficulties in tho practical working of the scheme, in consequence of the lands in the proximity of- all the larger labor markets having long since been alienated from tho Crown. •. Still, better late than never, and provision, might yet be made for these settlements in many parts, varying in size according to the probable labo r fields in the vicinity, In such a country as this, as yet so littlo worked, possessing countless acres of virgin soil, it does seem absurd thatweever hearof able-bodiedmen talking of starving, and this must arise from their unemployed energy needing some direction. Of course it is a ticklish matter to meddle with demand and supply, but there can bo no meddling in this matter, as it would simply be offering inducement! to laborers to occupy ouch a moderate aroa of land that, without fooling tho burden, thoy In their spare time, §r their famllied could raise something substantial Awards the yoarly consumption. The generality of the laborers employed on large roads or railway works are unsettled and roving in their habits, and too often from thriftlessness and intemperance beoomo a bnrden to the Colony. But if the inducement of acquiring a home were offored on very reasonable terms early in the settlement of a new district with tho option of dojijg. the public work in the neighborhood at a fair scale of prices, then a thriftier class of laborers would be induced, and the and the public money which would otherwise mostly find its way to the public houses would be spent in the looality in Improving the district and permanently enriching the Colony.

A public .holiday is proclaimed in Greytown to-day, Gerald Massoy loctuies at Featherston on Friday next, The Masterton Oddfellows meet in the Empire Hotel this evening, The Masterton Eifle Volunteers parade for quarterly inspection and exercise on the 20th inst. The winning numbors of Leo's sweep, which was drawn last evening, will be found in our advertising columns. Mr Patrick Cockery, whose whereabouts createij some interest at a meeting of creditors yesterday arrived in Mastertell last evening. ' " Mr Coleman Phillips opposes the proposed alteration of tho afternoon train from Masterton, As Mr Phillips usually represents a small minority, we may feel pretty certain that the desired change will shortly be brought about. At Messrs Lowes & lorns market sale tg-morrow, about seven thousand sheop and lambs .cf all classes will be offered in addition to dairy eattjo, buggy, saddle and ladies'horses, ana! Valuable draught and racing stock, This salo bids 'fair to be the most important autumn auction of the district.

The Phoenix Lodge, 1.0. G.T., met under somewhat difficult circumstances last night, their old lodge room having been demolished before the new one was quite ready, but the W.G.T. cheered them with the information that the new room would be fully ready by the next meeting, including lighting and seats. The building committee were authorised to get the name " Temperance Hall" put over the doors, and get all the windows fastened, also to get tho building licensed for meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Borough by-laws. Five iiew menvbers. were proposed for membership, and the revision ijf the programme for the opening night was left gyer until next meeting ••••:. Messra Foley & Berkiey seoured a good house again last evening at the Theatre Royal, and the performance went off with spirit. A nautical recitation given by Mr Foley was one of tho distinguished features of the programme, being as effective as any piece which has as yet been delivered from a Masterton stage. The tableaux agones were also a great success, and were received with-.lQud applause, Messrs Foley and Berkley acted, .danced, and sang with their wonted animation, and they had vocal assistance from Mr Cecil Biverton and Mr Martin, who introduced one or two clover character 'skotches.

'._ 4 certain lot of people are on a desert island and have only enough food to last a short time; but there are two ships, one is rotten fit ti>e bottom, aijd .tftq other is quito sound and can be relied upon. •Of course the experienced sailors take to the good ship, and beg all the other? to go with them, but some say they don't believe the chart, and would rather die where they aro than be mad enough to go in either ship. Others say they know quite enough themselves and take the ship with the rotten bottom on their own hook, rather than go with the experienced sailors. Well, the experienced sailors beg and pray both the foolish ones on the island and the ones on the rotten ship to go with them, but neither take any notice, and so the experienced sailors who are thought fools by the ethers, have to go by themselves. My dear reader, which class do you belong to? Some stick to this world, and will not start for the other, where there is Life Everlasting ; and some start in a rotten old Bhip,, sinning all the way, for does not your' chart tell you that without Holiness you cannot enter Heaven. Have you tried both sides of tho question yet ? If not— Do! And if you want to learn to navigate your own vessel, go to the Salvation Army meetings.—Advt. Don't die in the house —'• Rough on Rata' clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs flies, ants, insects, moles, jack-rabbits/gophers 7Jd—N.Z. Drug Company

In the Hurdleitace at Opaki, Cribbage was Ist, Zulu -211(1, and Gunner 3rd. Weather bad. There are about 400 persons present.

Tho Masterton Public School has a half holiday to-day in honorof St. Patrick,

;■' There is, considering the bloak weather, .a very fair attendance at the_ Opaki races to-day,* ". •_ , ... " ■■.'' Captain Edwin telegraplis : -that bad weather is expected between south and south-east, tho glass has further risen, with rain and weather very cold,

• Colonel; Reader, under-secretory for "defence was in Masterton to-day.

>.A special meeting of the' Wairarapa East County Council convened for to-day has beoiiadjourned till Tuesday next.

The Treasurer of tho Masterton Hos" pital acknowledges receipt of a subscrip" tion of £2 from Messrs McGregor Bros., of the Upper Plain. .The deputy assignee gives notice that the adjourned meeting of Creditors : in the estate of Patrick Cockery will take place at 2 p.m. to-morrow. Mcmbors of the Tinui Jockey Club are requested to meet at the Tinui hotel on Saturday next,.at 7 p.m. '

Mr Marchant returned to Masterton to-day from the Bush. He has been engaged in valuing the Mangahao for the Masterton and Woodville Special Settlement Associations.

The rifle competition at Island Bay terminated to-day. Prizes will be : presented to-morrow by the Mayor of Wellington. .;>... _ Mr E. L, Wakelin of Carterton is taking the iniative re working the junkers on the road. Instead of waiting to be stopped, he is removing his engine and boiler down to where the timber is sothat he will be able to fetch .the logs right in to the mill by means of a tram without using the junkers at all.

The weather was cold and showery for shooting at the N.Z, Rifle Association meeting. The carbine and rifle team matches commenced this morning. Immediately after conclusion the Union Company's Cup will be fired for, after which the championships will bo decided and the result known between five and six o'clook, The following are the highest aggregates in 3rd, 6th, and 9th match, who have to fire ten flhots at flvo hundred yards for the Union Oup ■; -Parelow, Auckland, 248; Watson, Port Chalmers, 247; Kummer, Masterton, 242! Taylor, Auckland, 241; Flygev, Wanganui, 240 • 0. Franoe, Wei. Pg'tfii). 239; Ross, Napier, 239; Purncll, Wanganw', ant} Thrnnas, Thames, 237; Crispe, Port Chalmers, and Lucas, Thames, 236; Greenfield," Oamaru. Harris, Wellington, and Waters, Port Chalmers, 235: Forster, Port Chalmers, Griffiths, Blenheim, Hornby, Port Chalmers, Inglls, Thames, and Still, Wanganui, 234; Hutchinson, Dunedin, and Jenson, Wanganui, 233; have to fire off for last place, In the telegraph list of 20 highest for rifle belt'; Ingljs, Thames, 412, Brooks, Dunedin, '4OO and (ley, Plymouth, 404, should bo added, and Haw!:, Thames, 1 omitted. This throws out Thomas and Paton for carbines. Barriball, Waiuku, and Payne, Auckland, 417 have to firo off for last place,