SETTLEMENT AND RAILWAYS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11900, 25 May 1899, Page 4

SETTLEMENT AND RAILWAYS.

The gathering which took place at Cheviot yesterday in connection with the Winter Show of the Settlers’ Association ought to dispel any doubts that may still remain as to the wisdom of the Government in acquiring the estate. The fact that it ‘has taken only four or five years to convert an isolated sheep run into a prosperous and populous settlement proves that the people of the colony only require an opportunity to get on to the land to realise all the high aspirations that have been formed by the Hon John M’Kenzie and his colleagues for their future. , Even the Hon William Ivolleston, whose first public comment upon the purchase of Cheviot was that he had no hesitation in congratulating the sellers, was constrained, at the public meeting held at M’Kenzie on .Tuesday evening, to pay a -well-deserved tribute to the energy of the Minister of Lands. The member for Riccarton himself has always been a consistent advocate of close settlement, and it is extremely gratifying to find him frankly acknowledging the achievements of bis doughty political opponent. Nor is he the only visitor to Cheviot who has been compelled, somewhat against his will, to commend the policy of the Minister. The representative of the Melbourne “ Argus," who visited the settlement a week or two ago, in company with the Victorian Commissioners could only join in the general chorus of commendation. “It may be stated at once,” he wrote after returning to Christchurch, “ that this settlement has been a splendid success, both as regards the settlers individually and from the point of view of the Government’s investment. The estate, before being acquired by the Government, was in an improved condition for a grazing run, but it only carried 80,000 sheep, which were tended by a few men. At present it carries as many slieep as it did then. It has, in addition, 350 settlers, and a population of 1200 souls, with a production this year of 127,000 bushels of grain, 25,000 fat lambs, and 20,000 fat sheep, and a considerable quantity of butter, and its productive capacity has not yet been measured. As for the Government position, in addition to seeing a large number of people prosperously and contentedly employed, it is malting a considerable profit on its outlay, and the latest official report states that at the present rate the total cpst will be recouped in fifty-two years, though the 5 per cent rental on the amount will continue to be paid.” As a matter of fact, the estate carries double as many sheep as it did when it was in the hands of one owner ; but even if we accept the picture drawn by the representative of the “ Argus,” we have a most striking illustration of the enormous advantage that may be derived by both the individual! and the State from the close and profitable occupation of the land. But this truth has been’ practically conceded by Mr M’Kenzie’s '• opponents. The next step, so far as Cheviot is concerned, is to provide the settlers with better facilities for reaching their markets. The speeches delivered at the meeting held on Tuesday nigEt show that there is a, very strong public feeling in favour of the continuation of the Main Trunk Railway to Blenheim, and if this project should be pushed to a successful conclusion it will open up an enormous field for the profitable application of the energy and enterprise of the agricultural population of the colony. We trust, however, that when the Premier seeks authority for this important work he will also insist upon the passage of a Betterment Bill, that will place the cost of the undertaking upon the right shoulders. The reckless expenditure of . the past, by which the owners of vast estates were enriched at the expense of the rest of the taxpayers, is no excuse for the continuance of an extravagant and inequitable system of public works. 1