The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1891.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3763, 18 March 1891, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1891.

The new Homestead Eegulations of the Government re-introduce the practice of Land Nationalisation. On a former occasion it was adopted, and ar number of settlers enrolled under its flag, who afterwards repented of their bargain, and at their solicitation an Act was passed aeoqrding them a right to purchase This concession was fatal to the cause of Land Nationalisation, which for the timp being was" burst ug." Now it is tq be tried again, and it is possible that the first experience may be repeated, and the error of the Liberal Ministry corrected by some subsequent administration. At the . outset, however, bona fide settlers display a marked reluctance to avail themselves of the benefits it is supposed to confer. If a man desires to take up a hundred acres of waste lands of the nominal value of one hundred pounds, it must cost him at least five hupdred pounds to clear, grass, and fence his allotment, and to erect for his family some sort of a shelter from wind, rain and cold. He is debarred by the nature of his tenure from raising any portion efthis sum on the security of his land, or the improvements made thereon, and it follows that he must in the first instance possess a small capital to be able'to take it up with any reasonable prospect of holding it. investing in a hundred acres of bush land involves year? of hard toil and self-denial, and ift most instances it is the only sweet hope of an eventual freehold that nerves a man to face the slavery'he has to encounter. A peipetual lease without the option of purchase may suit a small capitalist who possesses adequate means to bjripg the land into cultivation and obtain ' a speedy return upon his outlay, but strange to ssy this is not the class of settlers for whose benefit the principle of Land' Nationalism is resorted to. When a few years ago special settlements were fostered in this district, hundreds of persons •"•ted in them simply because • *hit if they could not .i, - ««« settle tb© land they - they could simply dispose of it ..

out loss. It now remains to be seen how many will take up sections under the Land Nationalisation regulations, and what proportion will be small capitalists; and what numbers of them will be deluded individuals who fancy they can settle land without any capital at all. Ministers and their friends may be eager for land nationalism, but as yet public opinion is against it. At the general election Land Nationalisation was a card which liberal candidates kept well up their sleeves. Thby will, we fancy, find that even now it would be prudent if they refrained from playing it. At election time the freehold title was treated with the almost respect and consideration.

now it is stigmatised as ahoiror However, the curtain rises for Act. I | State ownership of land aad establishment ot perpetual lease withouc purchasing clause. Act II will be tlae arbitration of perpetual lease and substitution of annual tenancy and establishment of commonage. With State ownership controlled by men of straw- what is there to preyent a series of changes like this ?

_ A social gatheiing is to be held tonight in the Temperance Mall, commencing at 8 p.m. A horse belonging to Mr Moore, of Pahiatua, dropped dead at the Eketahuna railway station this morning. The Napier Cup, run yesterday, was won by Cynisca, Dudu being second and Pearl Powder third. The funeral of the late Mr G. Williamson takes place to morrow (Thursday) at 3 p.m. Five thousand sheep have been frozen to death on the hills of Wales. A section of land within half a mile of Palmerston Noith is said to haye been sold on Saturday last at £IOO per acre. The Works Committee of the Pahiatua County Council accepted the following tenders on Saturday : Contract 128, creek deviation — Waterman and Co £3O 16s and, £6 2s 6d. lio 129, Main Road metalling McCoel 2s 6d per yard. No 100, Tiraumea Road metalling Walsh and Co 3s 6d per yard. Tenders are invited by the Wellington School Commissioners for fencing in the Kopmranga Survey District. j A laborer named Frank W. Thompson j was drowned whilst bathing at Gisborne on Monday night. - A half caste at Hawera named Mary Ann Tiller has been arrested on a charge of bigamy. A scull has been found near- Milfora Soui.d, supposed to be that of the young man Quill, one of the Government survey party, who lost his life some weeks ago. A large shed on the Taratahi belonging to Mr Francis was, together with its contents, destroyed by tire on Monday. The insurance is not known. Colonel Bailey, who is to succeed Colonel Taylor as chief of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, arrived in Wellington on Monday. A gentleman with more than ordinaly qualifications requires a position as tutor in a private family in the country. The sum of £1,476 was put through the totalisator at the Masterton-Opaki races yesterday. Sergeant Price and his staff are to be congratulated upon the pood order maintained yesterday both at the races and in town. It is a significant fact that not a single drunk occupied the cells last night. We notice by our Wellington correspondent's letter that the phonograph will not be able to come to the Wairarapu at present, as originally intended. There is, however, a chance of it visiting us later on.

Nominations for the principal events in the autumn meetin? of the Waipawa Bacing Club close with the Secretary on Saturday next The following team will represent the Tutaekara Native Football Olub in their tour Nini (captain), Haka (Secretary), Hau, Tuke, Watimana, Heremaia Eemini, Tatari, Ware, Heta, Karapa, Raha, Kara Mana, Araraa, fianita, Himeona, Tiwirina, Haranagh. A fifteen will be chosen from these on the ground at each match. The seventh annnal meeting of the Wairarapa. Rifle Association was commenced it the Masterton range yesterday, about thirty competitors taking part. The oaiy pnatch .concluded was the Landsdown match, 200 yds, which was won by Volunteer G, Blane, of the Masterton Rifles.

A tea and social gathering was held in the Temperance Hall last evening in connection with the Phoenix Lodge, I. O. G. T., a very enioyable time being spent. Dresses—We have now opened out our two first shipments of autumn and winte dress fabrics, which have come ta usr SWB *l}fa^^crento 3 ly affirm that no finer, more varied, or well selected goodß have ever previously passedj in the portals of Te Aro House. Dbebses—ln the limited space at our command, there is not room to give auy thing like an adequate description of our new autumn dress goods,. but it is sufficient to say that they are of excellent value, of superior finish, well assorted in styles and colourings, well adapted to mee the tastes of our numerous lady patrons We solicit an early inspection of these, at Te Aro House.

Dressmakino—Our two large and commodious dressmaking rooms are still under the'same efficient management, and can guarantee it} this season, sjs in all' past instant attention', prompt ezeoution, faultless finish, and perfect fitt Ladies who want their dresses early-should at once place their orders at Te Aro Bous. A large consignment of LinoL- ims and Floorcloths arrived in Masterton on Saturday, consigned to Messrs L. J. Hooper & Co. We are informed these goods will be offered to the public at Wholesale Prices at the Hon Marohe. Anyone panting a bargain in these plases of goods early and get the first choice of patterns.