A TRIP NORTH.

Oxford Observer, Volume 1, Issue VII, 28 September 1889, Page 3

A TRIP NORTH.

[By Trig.]

(Continued.

At five o'clock m the afternoon we arrived at Pahiatua, and, this being a central position for the inspection of the various blocks of land open for selection, I put up at the Club Hotel, which is a -arge, comfortable, and wellconducted house. Seven or eight years since, this township was not m existence; now there are two large hotels, a brewery, Post and Telegraph Office, Bank, stores, numerous houses, and two sawmills, which, by the way, are •running m opposition to each other, and, though they have all the trade m their hands, they sell timber at 5s 6d per hundred. The main street is three chains wide, the original intention having been to make the railway station m the centre, but for some reason this has been altered, and the railway surveyed some distanco to the west of the township. It is evidently a thriving and rapidly increasing place with plenty of money knocking about. In the evening I saw one of the Government surveyors, and obtained from him all the information I required ; and, while on this subject, I should like to say a few words concerning a letter which lately appeared m the Lyttelton Times, signed " Bush-whacker," complaining of the want of facilities m the selection of land offered by the Government to intending purchasers ; complaining of the want of roads, of the system of ballot for land, of everything and everybody. On first reading, this letter appeared^to have emanated from some "new chum," who expected to go into New Zealand bush and find formed roads, with gas and hot water laid on for his benefit. But, on second thoughts, it is evidently written for political purposes, and, where not absolutely false, is overdrawn. As far as my experience went, there is very little truth m it ; every facility was afforded me, both m the Land Office m Wellington, and by the different Government surveyors on the ground, who could not possibly have done more, and to whom I beg to express my thanks. Guides are provided by Government, to go with intending selectors over the ground, free of charge ; tents are erected at the different survey camps for their accommodation, with provisions gratis. One surveyor told me he had had over a hundred selectors to examine one block, and the provisions for these visitors have to be carried through the bush on men's backs. I ask, can the Government do more? With respect to the ballot, experience has shown that it is preferable to the auction system, because men, m their eagerness, are led into giving far too high a price for land that requires a large amount of capital to be expended on it before any return can be made. And, thongh no doubt there is a large amount of what is called " dummyism," yet it is what may be called " legitimate dummyism," and not for purposes of speculation. For example, I want a section, and twenty other men want it also. It is evident that if I can get my friends to put m applications on my behalf, I stand a better chance. If they get it, they transfer to me, and I settle on it, but there is no money paid on either side. A very sharp look-out is kept by the Land Commissioners m Wellington, and if any selection is suspected, the transfer would be refused, and I have no doubt that if " Bushwhacker " would submit some system, *free of any defect or flaw through which a rogue could creep, the Government would only be too glad to avail themselves of it. Moreover, there is any amount of land m the North Island where a man may select a block if he wishes, either for cash, deferred payment, or perpetual lease without any competition, particulars of which may be obtained at the Land Office. But to return to our muttons — early next morning I got a horse, and started to inspect the Mangahao block, some five miles from Pahiatua, and a description of this block will do for all, and •^ive a good idea of the land m this locality, premising that this is the nearest and most accessible. Shortly after leaving the township the road becomes simply a chain wide clearing

through the bush, with mud m places up to the horses' knees. The Mangatainoko river is lorded, and beyond it for about a mile the road is through flat country with heavy timber, then a spur is crossed by side cuttings, which, having no metal, are deep m mud. The second river, the Mangahao, has to be forded, ahd the road comes to an end. (To be continued.)