THE FIELDING SETTLEMENT.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1182, 5 June 1874, Page 2

THE FIELDING SETTLEMENT.

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From the account given by a recent visitor to the scene of this important practical settlement of immigrants in a new country, which has proved so successful, a few particulars may not be uninteresting to intending immigrants, as showing the care with which they are treated, and the prospects held out to them. The Manchester Block was secured by Colonel Fielding, the agent of an association formed in England by sonic eminent men, for the relief of "the hard-pressed working classes, and the development of the resources of the Colonies, as a means of lightening the pressure, on very favorable terms from the Government of New Zealand, and no time was lost in setting about the establishments of a model settlement for immigrants. The Block with the township of Fielding in its centre is about twenty miles by eight, we'l watered by a river and several streams ; area, 100,000 acres, and 12,000 open land, the remainder bush, mostly so light as to offord no obstacle to clearing and_ cultivation. 'Where it is thick it is composed of totara and matai, very valuable woods, easily obtained, which are in largo demand, and for which two main lines of railway, which will unite near the block, will afford ready means of conveyance. It is now being opened up by "roads and tramways running all over it, along which the timber can be carrio 1; and houses are being built in several other townships, which aro marked oil' along these roads. A steam sawmill will soon be in operation, and an unlimited number of sawyers can alw.tys find profitable and continuous work. The block is all land of the very fin.vst alluvial qualility, sheltered from the high winds, and remarkably suited for the g owth of ceroals, hops, &c, aid for stock grazing. Originally purchased at less than los an acre, by bill bearing interest over a term of years, the land is now selling at over £2 cash, so fertile has it proved, The

General Government, on condition that 2000 immigrants should be introduced in five years, undertook to provide two hundred men with employment on the public works within ten miles of tho township at good wages, and to grant free passages. The immigrants are conveyed from their homes in Great Britain to tho township on the plains of Now Zealand, and with all provisions, necessaries, and medical attendance, absolutely free of expense. They have no trouble at landing. They are met by agents, and are lodged in comfortable barracks until they can be conveyed to their destination, and everything is arranged smoothly for them. Even after reaching the settlement no outlay is expected from them, all tools and necessaries being supplied at once very cheap, and debited against future earnings. After arrival, the immigrant may select an acre of land in the township, on which a house is at once built for him, which by small weekly payments becomes, after three years," his own freehold property. After six months' work on the township and public works, to inure him to the mode of life in a new country, he has the option of selecting from twenty to one hundred acres of splendid farm land, at a rent of only 2s Gd an acre, with right of purchase at tho cud of seven years ; so that for a very small sum, extended over a long term of years, he will have a valuable freehold property. There are now about 250 immigrants on the block engaged in the timber trade, which is very large and very profitable, on the public work, or in agriculture all earning nearly as many shillings as they did pence at homo, aud thoroughly content with tiieir cheap and comfortable houses. A shipment lately came in, one and all of whom expressed themselves eminently satisfied at the liberal terms upon which they were received, and the road to a thriving prosperity which they saw lay patent to all who were willing to be industrious.