The Clutha Leader. THURSDAY, 31 AY 20, 1875.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 45, 20 May 1875, Page 5

The Clutha Leader. THURSDAY, 31 AY 20, 1875.

At a conference which took place some weeks ago, between the two members in the Provincial Council, and residents in the place, a very useful suggestion was thrown out, relative to the erection of immigrants cottages. The idea originated with the Hon. the Premier, whose letter on the subject to Superintendents of provinces, was published in our issue of the 6th instant. The primary intention was to make such provision for the housing of new arrivals, as would induce them to leave their ports of debarkation, and disperse themselves over the landward districts of the province. The provision is an admirable one, and one which we hope to see carried out to the fullest extent. The want of house accommodation is one of the most serious difficulties, with which the successful allocation of immigrants throughout the country districts has to contend. Take our own district as an example. Ko difficulty would be experienced in drafting into industrial pursuits a goodly number of useful men — heads of families for example— and yet the fact is staring us in the face, that, however, desirable such an acquisition would be to the resident population, such a thing as domiciliary accommodation oould not be found for them. What is more, no immediate prospect exists for the want heing supplied. The new life and energy lately infused into our local building societies will, no doubt, to some extent, relieve the want, still, these operations have not hitherto been of a nature to overcome the difficulty. An immigration depot was sometime ago mooted, but for some reason or another, that expedient did not meet with the countenance that might have been expected. We observe from the estimates brought down by the late Government that, a sum of -£7000, is proposed to be expended for this purpose. Seeing that our members have had the views of the district already expressed to them, they can have no hesitation in taking steps for making •arrangements to secure a portion of that sum for the use and behoof of Balclutha.