THE HOKIANGA SETTLEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8149, 21 April 1887, Page 6

THE HOKIANGA SETTLEMENTS.

[Be Telegraph.] ft aOM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] AUCKLAND, April 20. A lively discussion is proceeding as to the success or otherwise of the settlements in the Hokianga district. A settler writes from Herkino: “ I like the place well. A few parties have gone back to Auckland. The land is good in general. I have a few acres cleared,’and a hut up; I have made it pretty snug This is a very healthy part of New Zealand. There is any quantity of mullet and other fish in the river. The man that would stop in Auckland looking for work, deserves to starve. I had not a shilling when I reached here, and I am quite satisfied I can make a home here comfortably, and before long the land here will grow good crops. The Natives grow splendid potatoes ; I have never seen better apples than some grown here, and there are any amount of rock and water melons. A man with a little money taking up a section here, and persevering, cannot go wrong. The worst feature is the water I have none on my section, bat believe I shall get it by sinking. Some of the settlers have plenty of water, others none. We have to carry it a good way.” Alfred Burgoyne, who has returned from the settlement in disgust, says: “I only stayed two months, during which time I complained bitterly of the position in which I had been placed, owing to there being no stores, no roads, and consequently no food. I said I should be .-y fairly starved off the land, and compelled to go back to Auckland ; also, that others were in the same condition. Mr Tole expressed his sorrow, and promised that a steamer should be laid on to Whangarepe once a month. I said that we could not exist another month without food, and decided to clear out.” John Lundon has called a public meeting, and invited Burgoyne and other grumblers, with Mr Hobbs, M H.E., to be present. A lively night is anticipated.