PROPOSED SPECIAL TEMPERANCE SETTLEMENT AT RAGLAN COUNTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7785, 3 November 1886, Page 6

PROPOSED SPECIAL TEMPERANCE SETTLEMENT AT RAGLAN COUNTY.

A preliminary meeting, convened by Mr. T B. Hill, was held last evening in Robson's Commercial Dining-rooms, in reference to the formation of a special temperance settlement in the County of Raglan. There was a large and influential attendance, and the Rev. P. Mason occupied the ohair. Mr. Hill gave a general outline of the purpose designed, and in a discursive manner related his experience of the natives as he met them in the Kin« country at the kiangas and at the Land Courts. The natives assured him that they did not want to drink, but that if it was within reach they would have it. Mr, Hill related many personal interviews he had with the natives and with the Hon. Mr. Ballance as to the formation of this special settlement also as to the desire of the natives and of the settlers to have such a settlement formed. He alluded to the steps taken under the 25th clause of the Licensing Aot to prohibit the sale of liquor m the King Country, and the desirability of extending the same principle to the surrounding country, Mr. Hill then referred to the negotiations which had taken place through Mr. Clay den, and to an interview with the Hon. Mr. Ballance, at whioh the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin, Mr. Newman, and others were present with him. Mr. Ballance recommended them to go to work as Mr. Lundon had done, and they would get the same assistance. He referred to the mineral springs on the block about to be opened, also to the faot that £700 was available for road-making, and he gave a very favourable description of the land. 200 acres had been 'set apart as a reserve for the thermal springs, but 1000 acres had been surveyed outside these whioh were ready for occupation, and he suggested that 20 families should ba at once settled on these lands. Other blocks could be selected afterwards as they were required to plant their settlements and open up the block. After a reference to the general excellence of the land, and his pleasure at seeing so many present, Mr. Hill oonoluded by saying that as this meeting would have to be adjourned, he would reserve any further remarks until the adjourned meeting, but their motto should be " temperance and settlement." Mr. Duncan, Chairman of the Raglan County Council, coincided with Mr. Hill's remarks as to the quality and adaptability of the proposed land, and to the advantages .to be derived from the existenoe of the hot springs. He referred to the great difficulties whioh the early settlers in the Raglan district experienced. Mr. J. Newman was invited to address the meeting. He heartily sympathised with the establishment of special settlements, and laid stress on the points that they wanted good land, easily accessible, and the right class of men, and with these there was no reason why settlement should not advance. The Hon. Mr. Chamberlin, M.L.C., and Mr Brame also spoke. Mr. Hill promised te give as much information as possible to any person who called on him daring the week at his shop. The meeting wile then adjourned until Wednesday,,