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Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 142, 15 June 1894, Page 4

We have received from Mr W. K. Clarke a copy of bis pamphleb ou " A Co-operative Skate Farm Scheme," by which means the author proposes to indicate " a means for providing reraanerative employment; for all surplus labour; a home for the aged, infirm and needy ; ways and means for teaching trades, or Bach other technical education to our rising generation as will enable them to earn their own maintenance; and totally abolishing poor rates." Mr Clarke has been bringing: bia scheme before the notice of the Government for many years, and he has at last bad the satisfaction of having it printed at the Government printing office. Mr Clarke proposes that the Government should advertise throughout Great Britain that the Government of New Zealand offer to all emigrants paying their owo passage to New Zealand six months' or twelve months' work with a comfortable borne immediately on their arrival, and afterwards to place them on a small farm ot their own, on the perpetual-lease system, assisting them to the extenb of £50 per family. Ho would have fonr farms in each of four districts. On the arrival of immigrants they would be taken direct to such farms to form a comfortable home after having worked six or twelve months at a State farm. He would that every man who is able had as much land as would be sufficient for the maintenance of himself and his family, that all land should become the property of the Government by purchase, and*that all occupation should be by perpetual lease. A very old and highly-respected Auckland identity in the person of Mr William Griffith has passed over to the greatmajority. He succumbed last night at hie residence, Franklin Road, after only about two weeks of actual sickness. He had attained to the ripe age of 85, and only a Sunday or two ag.* sat in his accustumed pew at St. John's Wesleyan Church looking hearty enough to warrant bia friends in believing he was good for another ten years. He died from pure old age, without any symptoms of disease. Thirty year; ago he | was a familiar form in Quean - street I commercial circles, being the manager for Messrs Meara and Co. grain and produce merchants in the former old building now the site of the A.M.P. Society, corner of Queen and Victoria streets. A few years after this, he retired from business and lived a very quiet and comfortable manner of life. He was a prominent official of the Wesleyan Church, and took an active part in all its doings. He bad largely the charge of the benevolent portion of the church work, and for this he was gifted by nature and means. He possessed a tender heart, and was greatly respected and loved. His wife survives him. The funeral takes place on Sunday at 3.30, proceeding to Symondj-Btreet.