MR. HOBBS IN THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7898, 17 March 1887, Page 5

MR. HOBBS IN THE NORTH.

• • ■■■ ♦ HE DENOUNCES THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE VILLAGE SETTLEMENT SCHEME. |b? tklxoraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.] Rawkse (Hokxanga), Wednesday. Mr. Hobbs held a meeting of the electors at the Kuhukohu on Monday night. Mr. Andrews occupied the chair, and a unanimous vote of thanks anil confidence was carried. At Herd's Point there was a large audience, many ladies being present. Mr. John Webster occupied the chair. Mr. Hobbs spoke at some length on the village settlers' scheme, to whioh he did not object so long as the people got good land, but he made no secret of his preference for the homestead system,, and a freehold and Crown grant at the end of five years. He was certain the settlers could never pay the rent expected from them, and those who were not on good land would never succeed. He was in favour of modifying the regulations in respect of no rent, and a Crown grant in five years to those who occupied the land for that time. The administration of the scheme he denounced as a great scandal, which would yet shock the House and the country. The man who acted as Government agent had already publicly advised the settlers to pay no rent, and to boycot the man who attempted to make them pay rent. No doubt he was acting under instructions from his chief, but they knew as well as he (Mr. Hobbs) did, that they could not pay their rent, and were only anticipating the future. The Government agent had announced that tie intended to be a candidate for the House of Representatives for the district at the next election, and was travelling about at the expense of the country electioneering. Mr. Ballauce was a party to it, and he ought to be ashamed of himself, if he had any shame in him. Mr. Hobbs spoke for nearly an hour, and was listened to very attentively. Mr. Clarkk proposed, and Mr. McLeod seconded a vote of thanks and confidence, which was carried almost unanimously. Mr. Hobbs has visited the Onehnnga, Parnell.and Auckland endowment block, and is now on his way to Waimamaku and Here kino. He will then visit the Motnkaraka settlers, after which he will proceed to Wan garoa, Mangonui, Kaltaia, Victoria Valley, &c. There is great dissatisfaction here at the want of punctuality of the s.s. Oreti, a quantity of good but perishable fruit awaiting shipment, but she will not be here for threr i days after her due date. I