VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.
a Deplorable State of Things.
A letter addressed to the Auckland Star gives a deplorable account of village settlement at Takahue (north of Auckland). The writer says:—" I have land that h capable of producing anything, but land Is of no value without the means of earning money. We cannot get money or work to help us. There is no sale for anything you grow—not a shilling's worth ; all the cash I have had for twelve months will not come up to £3. Bread I have not seen for thirteen weeks; we have lived on nothing but corn, and have to walk three miles to giind it. Meat we scarcely ever see. Tea is a luxury not thought of, but corn burnt over the fire, which we infuse and call it coffee. We cannot get our children clothed. They go about like Maoris. To get a little money the children gather tungus, sometimes travelling miles to get a 501b flour bag full, which dries down to about 121b of fungus, which they take to the store ten miles off, and get 2d per lb for, We have seven in family; the eldest girl is seventeen—she can milk and wash, but cannot get a situation here to purchase clothing. Those desirous of employing her can only offer her food. I have to send my second eldest to school with just a dress to cover ber, no underclothing or boots, or stockings. My eldest daughter and myself are the' only two in the family with boots : my wife has been barefooted for months. I have split a lot of timber intending to build a house, but for want of tools and nails I don't know how to get it up, as fungus is the only means of getting maney, and it is slow work. - . . .What are we to do ?
The Government are demanding their rents and we have nothing to satisfy their demands. Wa have offered to pay our rents by labor on the roads if the Government would employ us. . , . , Our settlers are leaving one by one, unable to grapple with the demon poverty. During the four years they have spent their energies and lost their health, particularly the women, through semi-starvation and misery. More would leave were they able to do so." A Mr French vouches for the bona fides of the writer, whom he declares to be a sober, industrious man, but, failing to get employment at bis trade of bricklayer, went on to the land.
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Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3860, 17 July 1891, Page 2
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419VILLAGE SETTLEMENT. Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3860, 17 July 1891, Page 2
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