VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9117, 27 July 1888, Page 5

VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Thursday, Some of the Auckland members were disgusted this morning when they read this morning's paper at breakfast, and saw that the new clause in the amended Land Bill, proposed by Mr. Thos. Thompson, making it mandatory for the Minister of Lands to set aside 10,000 acres per annum in promoting the village homestead settlement scheme had been lost by a majority, inasmuch as if they had stopped at the post of duty the clause could have been easily carried. The Auckland members who voted on the division were— for the clause, Messrs. Cadman, Fraser, Goldie, Thomas Thompson, Withy, and against the clause, Messrs. Jackson, MitcSelson, Moat, and Whyte. The division took place about half-past two o'clock in the morning; and as Sydney Taiwhanga started about midnight on the history of New Zealand with the landing of Captain Cook, the Auckland members who went home to bed felt certain that he would not have got down to 1888 till this forenoon. Among the members thus deceived, and who would have voted for the clause, were Sir (J. Grey, and Messrs. Moss, Peacock, and Buxton. Mr. Hobbs was absent through indisposition. Mr. Seddon would also have voted for the clause ; but was outside the House, and arrived too late to take part in the division. It will thus be seen the clause could easily have been carried. Mr. Monk was in the lobby at the time of the division, but would not go in and vote. Mr. Buxton was extremely vexed at having gone home, and informed me it was the last time he would leave the House till it rose for the night, as it seemed to be becoming the practice to j talk away in the early part of the night i and do the business in the small hours. There is little doubt that had Mr. T. Thompson made a good whip for his clause in the afternoon he would have been successful. Mr. Moat informed me that he was pledged to vote against the village settlement; scheme, and he had the courage of his opinions. Mr. Monk said to me so anxious was he to see the land settled that he would give it away, simply on condition of occupation, and without the cost of survey, as is done in America, but he wanted to see the land settled by men who would hold it without looking to the Government for anything. The survey lines now being made would be overgrown before the land was occupied. There was a hope that the new clause might be re-inserted in the Land Bill in the Upper House, but I am informed that the Minister of Lands has been advised to-day that the clause is in the nature of an appropriation of public money, and can only be introduced by a message from the Governor, so that the defeat in the Lower House really matters but little after all. The moral of the episode, however, is that hereafter Auckland members will not retire to their beds so unguardedly in future, but will prefer to be sure than sorry.