SPECIAL SETTLERS' GRIEVACES.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 116, 17 May 1895, Page 4

SPECIAL SETTLERS' GRI EVA CES.

« A correspondent who resides near the Pobunniatane Kiosk, which has beon alloited to tho Huntervillo Farm Homestead Association, writes drawing attention to the hardships oE the settlors' situation there. They had to wait nearly four years to obtain the land, and the survey was only completed to enable the sections to be drawn for in October last. The members were then informed that they would bo held strictly to the terms of the regulations, and that they must pay 4 per cent, on the price of the land, with cost<oE roading added, the rent to commence from Ist January last. Oar correspondent 9ays that if the conditions are enforced this year requiring them to improve one-tenth of their holdings— that is, fell and grass 20 acres eaob. and pay abont JBI2 for rent — their holdings will undoubtedly be forfeited. They cannot do anything of thekind. There are no roads in or near the block. 'I he settlers cannot get to their land or take stock to it, and yet they are required to pay interest for roads which only exist on paper. To get stores from Hunter ville, the nearest township, means a three - day's journey for pack horses there and back at 5s per horse— that is 15s on 1501b flour; other stores in like proportion. And then cornea the worst of the journey, aa it means all bush and no tracks, and at the very lowest computation 16s per 1001b more on the flour, ashe reckons carrying 501b through bush country seven miles and seven miles return is a very good day* work — that is to say, that flour costs at the rate of 36s per 1001b, and as a natural onnseqnenoe everything eke in like proportion, so that the felling of 20 acreß of bush is worth £4.0, and then of course grass seed ifi in like proportion worth about 10s per bushel, equal to .£lO, acd sowing £2 more, total .£52, plus rent. Iha settlers complain of the delay in the survey, of roads being made in other districts where there are no settlers, and of nothing being done to make roads whero they are really needed, although labour is plontifnl, men are looking for employment in all directions, and the Minister of Public Works is now boasting of having saved .£BO,OOO from Publio Works votes. Our correspondent, in conclusion, expresses an opinion that the Government is saving up money for the period jußt prior to the next general election, when a great spurt will be made to deceive the working man, and make them forget past hardships.