THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PLAINS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 10, 15 May 1880, Page 4

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PLAINS.

The following document was submitted to the Hon. the Native Minister by Colonel Roberts, at the request of a large number of the A.C. Force ; but we understand that it was decided that the scheme could not be favorably entertained; — Special Settlement and Defence Corps,

Waimate.

It has been proposed to apply to the Government, through the Officer Commanding the West Coast, for Block V., open agricultural land, adjoining the Native Reserves, and so situated as to be considered most beneficial for the defence of the district, to be allotted as follows, viz : — Officers, 300 acres each; sergeantmajors, 200; sergeants, 150; and -constables, 100 acres each, exclusive •of roads — on the following conditions: —

That companies of Armed Constabulary only be formed of volunteers from that force, suitable men, determined to settle upon the land. The companies to be not less than -sixty strong, with due proportion of •officers, and non-commissioned officers. That the companies engage to occupy the land at Once, or as soon as the Government may see fit. That they Wfrl erect redoubts and defend themselves, and the part of the district in which their land may be situated, and that they will also be available for service as companies of the Armed Constabulary Force, on any part of the West Coast, from the Waingongoro Biver to Stony River. The companies as regards dicipline to be under the same regulations as the A.C. Force are at present. That the companies be considered companies of the A.C. Force, and receive the same pay as at present for a period of twelve months, or longer if required, from the date of occupation ; the Government to supply them with arms and ammunition, also with boots, Ac, whilst employed on public works.

That the companies agree to pay to the Government the sum of £3 per acre for the land, to be paid as follows: — That the Government retain one-half of their pay whilst serving as part of the Constabulary ; the balance to be paid on the deferred payment system, evtending over ten years j the privilege of paying up the balance at the end of five years being allowed. The Government to allow ample reserves for timber, educational, and other public purposes, and to issue Crown grants within six months after payments have been completed. That the companies agree to reside on the land for a period of five years, and make improvements as required by the deferred-payment system, and be available for service as companies of volunteers in the district before mentioned from the date they cease to draw pay till the five years shall have expired. That at the end of twelve months the land be allotted by ballot, according to rank, as shown in paragraph 1. General Mules for the Guidance of

the Companies.

That while the companies are serving as part of the A.C. Force, and until the land is individualised aud allotted, the financial and civic affairs of the companies be managed by committees of seven, to be appointed at a general meeting of each company ; such committees to appoint each one of their number as secretary, who will render accounts of all receipts and expenditure, &c, to general meetings at the end of every three months. All moneys belonging to the company to be lodged in a bank or banks to the joint credit of three of each committee, who will be authorised to sign such cheques ; such cheques to be valueless unless signed by the three men so authorised. Auditors will be appointed, either experts, or men chosen from the companies, or as may be decided by the members themselves. Such committee to in no way interfere with the discipline of the companies, which will be under the direction of their officers, as at present. That apdlicants for admission be prepared, if accepted as members of the companies, to deposit the sum of ten pounds, and at the time the companies take possession of the land, an additional sum of twenty pounds ; the whole to be lodged in a bank, or banks, to the joint credit of the committee, as shown above. The whole or any part of such money to be for the purchase of such stock, grass seeds, and farm implements as may be deemed necessary by the committee of management for improving and stocking the land.

That the affairs of the companies be considered at an end as soon as the land has been allotted. The whole effects of the companies to be sold or distributed, as may be agreed upon by the members themselves. In case of the death of any members of a company, their land and effects to revert to their widows and families, or as the deceased may have directed by will, the successors becoming responsible to the Government that all the conditions shall be carried out the same as if the land had originally been allotted to them. Mutual advantages that may be derived

from proposed scheme.

-We would respectfully draw the attention of the Government to the

advantages to be derived from having a company or companies such as proposed. That in the event of any native disturbance in the district, an efficient and well-trained body of men would ue available for immediate service, all of whom have served in the A.C. Force from one to twelve years.

That the existence of such companies on the plains would give greater confidence to intending settlers, thereby enhancing the value of the land, as intending settlers would know that the companies were permanent, and had the same stake in the district as themselves, and that as they occupied the land most liable to attack from the natives, greater security would be afforded to settlers from native interference or agression. That the men forming the proposed companies will be all bonafide settlers, and are well adapted for forming a pioneer settlement — settlement where peace is to be maintained and progress encouraged . Many of the proposed members ai*e already married, and have families, and all are possessed of considerable colonial experience and some capital. The men composing the companies would be farmers, carpenters, stonemasons, blacksmiths, sawyers, splitters, and. laborers ; in fact, evpry trade necessary to the forming a successful and progressive settlement.

That by having the proposed companies stationed along the bush, between the native reserves, or between the natives and the settlers, the Government would not require so large a force for defence, seeing that a thoroughly efficient and reliable body of men would be permanently settled in the district, always ready for immediate active service. That the natives, knowing that companies such as proposed were permanently settled in their immediate vicinity, would be deterred from breaking the peace, and would be compelled to conform to the rules of civilization more readily.

In conclusion, we would respectfully point out to the Government that less than one hundred acres of land would not be sufficient to support a man and his family, without his being compelled to seek employment elsewhere for about six months in the year — perhaps out of-the district in which his land might be situated — thus infringing the conditions of both the deferred-payment system and the companies' rules for strict military occupation.