TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 231, 3 October 1902, Page 1

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

It will be interesting to see how the Minister-of Lands will deal with the problem presented to him by the deputation of returned soldiers . who asked him to immediately formulate some scheme of land settlement on their behalf. The deputation represented some 40 or 50 oflicers and men who have been offered special terrfis by the Imperial Government to settle in the Transvaal and Orange Colonies ; and what it said in effect was: "We have only a month in which to decide whether we will accept the Imperial offer; we want to settle in our,own colony if we can ; bat if not we shall have to go back as soon as possible." Tke terms held out in South Africa are tempting ; they include free transport to the land, supplies of seed for two years, the use of steam ploughs, veterinary services; harness, arms, rations, and tents for one year, steam haulage and transport to the railway, and the guarantee of a market for pro duce for five years. Those who are married can take their wives and children to South Africa free of any expense whatever to. themselves, and single men can take their • brothers Without asking for the full terms offered by the Imperial Government, the deputation requested that an area of first-class land be set aside.fpr their benefit without delay, and suggested certain privileges,, such as the op portunity of acquiring the freehold and the extension of the time for the payment of rent from two. to seven or ten years. The Minister expressed sympathy with the request, and pro* mised an early reply. At, first. Mr Duncan, seemed to be somewhat alarmed because he thought that provision would have to be made for some thousands of officers and men';: but it was explained to him that only about 80 had applied, and at the most not more than 200 would require consideration. The Minister has been confronted with rather a difficult task, for it would seem that he must find a suitable block of land and grant special concessions, or the Colony will lose a'number, perhaps,3o. or 40, able bodied young men who ' would make a desirable class of settlers. His scheme will be awaited with interest.

After many years, the accounts of the Blenheim Literary Institute as a concern vested in private trustees 'have been wound up and affairs finally handed over to the Borough Council. The Committee which managed the institution under the old regime are to be complimented, and the; burgesses are to be congratulated on the conditions tinder which the affairs'*liave been transferred to the municipal authorities. The acoounts balance satisfactorily, being free from debt; and it is shown that the number of subscribers is increasing. This being the case, it may confidently be expected that the Institute, as a municipal concern, will be a success. If it is t be entirely self-supporting under the new conditions, its.earnings will have to be sufficient to provide for the interest on a certain proportion of the expenditure on the new building; but if the Committee that has just gone out of office has been able to present a clean balance sheet—-and this though the interests of the concern were at a very low ebb for many years—there should be no doubt as to the future of an Institute decently housed and run under the more responsibleauspices of the City Fathers. We expect to see our public library go ahead; ; tp see considerable additions to the stock of books, the number of subscribers increase, and the gro.wtn of a mtis6ttm*; and to hear public lectures deji;vered within its walls. AU this is. the more likely to happen if the ratepayers keep in mind the facts that, they are now responsible for the maintenance .of, >]khe Institute, and if they do not Support it properly they will bethelosepa from a pecuniary as well as a, mental pcjijit of view. ... -,'. \,-, ■