The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1889. Our Bush Settlements.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3104, 15 January 1889, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1889. Our Bush Settlements.

A tkayeimr who lias had favorable opportunities of becoming acquainted with the progress of settlement of land in a large portion of the Forty Mile Bush district, informs us that one of the most noticeable features is the very large quautityof grass going to waste, and-that upon making inquiry it was found that in many instances this resulted from the inability of the settlers, through want of funds, to purchase stock. If this is correct, and we have reason to believe that it is so, it is clear that the settlement of the land is not going on in as. satisfactory a manner as could he desired, and shows that the settlers are paying too much for the laud, either in rent or deferred payment instalments, or that they have started the heavy task of bush falling without a sufficient amount of capital. If the Government are at fault in placing too high a figure on the land, the evil should be remedied without delay, and relief given to those who, perhaps through want of knowledge, keen competition, and a desire to possess land, have been led to pay too much for it. We are aware that the Government to a. certain extent do reoogniso that the price lias been fixed too high, and that recently the upset prices have been lowered, but this will give no relief to those who paid the high prices ruling some time ago. One source of relief would be to fix the rent or instalments during flay the first three years at a merely nominal rate, and make up the deficiency when settlers could obtain a return from the land. Tho want of capital on the part of the bush settler is, however, the great difficulty, and ono not easily got over, but it must be patent to all practical men that to go on to.bush, land without it, is to court certain failure. Living in the bush is far from oheap, In old days, wild cattle and pigs supplied the back settler's larder,-but this is all changed, and as a settler near Eketahuna remarked, " He had to go to that township and purchase meat at a high figure, a thing ho never contemplated having to do when he first thought of making the Bush his bmn,e." The starting of Butter Factories is one of the great requirements of the district: these would assist, to a very great extent those who have cattle; and we believe that if a few men with capital would talje {his question up, the Bush settlers would respond, and give every assistance in their power. We feel strongly that the settlement and progress of the Forty Mile Bush settlers is not what it might be, and that it is the duty of the Government to make a very full enquiry, and if relief is required, to give it promptly. No doubt many settlors are fairly prosperous; but, on the other hand, pmbers are getting but a.bare exist" loo ' aild W 'N pliably' have to succumb, ana holdings beforelong. Onreariies^ Dßlvo^ 0 see the settlement ot the Forty m.'.? Bush a thorough success, and the settlers in a prosperous condition, for we recognize that upon this mainly depends not only the future of Masterton, but the North County generally.