THE FIRST TUCKER SETTLEMENT

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3106, 11 June 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE FIRST TUCKER SETTLEMENT

COPING WITH THK UNEMPLOYED DIFFICULTY. A sen km K originated by tin. R-v. Florae. Tucker, ami warmly supportcl hy i.)»> He..-. |)r .Sl.ron-, M r Murray Sti.ilh. ;t»id others, for eo|iiii«. r with rlic uiviiiplnveil dillii:iiUy in W..ll..ninw ■><.■ i-ii.-iMMiiti!. •• vill.-iir-- -etil.'iiii-iit:. " ill v ii■ i. : i- p.,-: ■ .f Yi.'iMi-i.-i, has iis!ii.)i"'.l :i )>■ i.ii. n -.], i -... by the. formation hi ;i lir-t s:;tilcm»i!!, -ii. ] Jimlivick. Mr ll.ti- n. a Wfll- km. ,vm fnri'ier in the distiio. ufl'.T-d a suitilili; site on very lvusonublo terms. Tin: lainl comprises eii/luy i-i - lit ae.ie-. it. i- in. clearcil. inn] llwii-li the -oil is not. .:' i'i-1 elnss qualitv it is cvifl-'iitl■•- c.(instil'T<vl by tho promoters to I.e :id.ip!wl to tho purpose.-' i'.ii- which it is n-ijuiieu'. The prio , to he piiirl for the. Inml is !.(! ;>>. acre, mid mi arrinig.'t.iont. )>.->> bi-.-n in nlr- with Mr Hansen whrreby the m.in-y will n..t. lie payable, until after the lnp.se of iin: years, and no interest will b<: rhaiveil i.i the meantime. .Mr Hansen, ie. ..re ivur, iigre.es that in the ev-nt. r.i' '',■• venture proving a faiKtre, >i;nl <,):? promoters being desirous of μ-iviiv; up rhe land, he will take it back, and allow C 3 an acre for all land cleared ready for the plough, and 5s 6d per chain for all fencing erected. The laud has beeu divided into blocks of about 10 acres each, and oue family will be placed on each block. Seeing that they are for the most part in impecunious circumstances, and that ihs land cannot be reproductive for a considerable time, the promoters guarantee them the necessaries of life for at least 12 months. The cost of such provisions will be debited to each family, together with the cost of the block, and they will be expected to discharge these liabilities with moneys earned by doing work for farmers and others round about, and the sale of produce when the land is rendered fit, tor cultivation. The men are carpenters, blacksmiths, shoemakers, and the like, and will, therefore, be able to turn themselves to good account in these directions. Mr Hansen, for instance, wants pig-styes and calves' sheds put up at once, and will thus provide immediate work for the carpenters, whilst other farmers have work waiting for the blacksmiths in the form of shoeing horses and repaiiinc; agricultural implements. There being a number of children in the vicinity in addition to those connected with the settlement, ths shoemakers will be quickly called into requisition, and other forms of occupation will also be I provided. Then a start will be made. When not so employed, the men will of course be engaged iu clearing their blocks and erecting fences. Until such time as they can grow crops on the land taken up, Mr Hansen has generously offered the association a, plot of cleared ground on some adjacent creek flats, which possesses rich soil, and will grow all kinds of vegetables iu abundance. This will be a great advantage, and will keep the settlement supplied with these important articles of food. The crops, however, cannot lie made to grow by magic, and until they can be produced the settlers must look elsewhere fur supplies. The gentlemen named will see that their p'-uliyi'x ara removed from want, but being naturally desirous of kteping tlie expenditure within tho lowest possible limit, they solicit the aid of the publicin assisting' them with contributions of meat, vegetables, and articles of clothing. Ten families, selected out, of 200 applicants, and numbering about forty in all, have proceeded to the settlement, whore they will occupy tents until suitable buildings can be built. In view of the winter weather, Mr Hansen proposes that a large hall—to be used in tho future for entertainments, religious services, and other gatherings—should bo immediately put up and partitioned off, so that all, or most, of the families may dwell in it until bettor accommodation is provided. A deal of interest is manifested in tho enterprise, nnd it is generally felt that if the expeiimeut proves a success, the promoters will have no difficulty in securing other tracts of land on equally reasonable terms in that part of the province of Gippsland.