Mr. Ballance Among the Special Settlements.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 128, 14 October 1886, Page 2

Mr. Ballance Among the Special Settlements.

On Tuosdav afternoon Mr. Ballance, Minister of Lands, accompanied by Mr. Lewis, son. (Under-Secretary of tho Native Department), Mr. Lewis, jun. (Private Secretary), Messrs. M'Cardle and Rease, members of the AVaste Lands Board, and our special reporter, pioceeded from Masterton en route for Pahiatua, to inspect the special settlements in that district. At Eketahnna one or two small local matters wero brought under the notice of the Minister, who promised to give them due consideration. On reaching Pahiatua at about half-past 7 o'clock in tho evening, Mr. Ballance was entertained at a dinner by the settlers at the Pahiatua Hotel, and subsequently proceeded to the Temperance Hall, where he addressed a large public meeting, presided over by Mr. M'Cardle. Mr. Ballance went into the, whole question of tho various land_ settlement schemes, and the success which had attended them. He admitted that the village homestead system was merely an experiment, but said it was one which had been inaugurated only after the most careful consideration, and he had hopes of its ultimately proving a great and lasting benefit to the colony as a whole. He gave credit to Messrs. M'Cardle and Rease for the assistance they had rendered in regard to special settlements, and the deep interest they had manifested in the carrying out of the scheme. He held that there was no part of the colony better fitted for such settlements than that part of the district. At the conclusion of the Minister's address several matters relating to the various systems were discussed by the settlere, who generally agreed that everything was highly satisfactory, and likely to be productive of good results. They gave Mr. Ballance credit for being the first Minister who had endeavoured honestly to settle the people upon the land by means of liberal land laws, and before separating three hearty cheers were unanimously given to the Minister. Yesterday morning Mr. Ballance visited the village homestead settlement, about two miles east of Pahiatua., and then proceeded to Woodville.

IBy Telegraph. I [united preßs association.l Woodville, This Day. Mr. Ballance arrived hero last night, and received three deputations on local matters. Ho remains in the district till Saturday morning, when he leaves for AVellington.