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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4278, 5 December 1874, Page 2

An attempt to extend settlement in Westland is being made by Superintendent Bonar and his Executive ; and we shall watch the development of the scheme with interest. His Honor, accompanied by a survey party, recently proceeded by the steamer Waipara to Jackson’s Bay, the site of the proposed special settlement. Stores were taken on board to be lauded at various points south of Okarita, as far as Jackson’s Bay, for the miners who are known to bo working in detached parties along the coast line. The West Coast Times of November 28th, contains an interesting narrative of the trip. The steamer had easy access to several of the rivers which fall into the Pacific along the Western slope north of Jackson’s Bay. A survey of these will no doubt be made, meanwhile careful soundings have been taken from J aokson’s Head all the way up the bay to the harbor. These soundings are to be published. There are several settlers already engaged planting and clearing new ground, who are quite unconnected with the proposed special settlement. The following, from the report referred to in the West Coast paper, will be read with interest : Jackson’s Bay, as we have already mentioned, is the spot selected to be, at some future time, proclaimed by the Governor as a special settlement for intending immigrants and others, who, it is to bo hoped, will ere long find remunerative employment in their several avocations, whether the same be in the way of goldmining, coal-mining, wood cutting, or farming, or whatever new industries, as new industries there are sure to be, they may engage in. The site selected for the town is at the extreme north of the special block. The excellent harbor accommodation, naturally formed, makes that point the most desirable centre. The block will from that point extend north and south, the first portion to be surveyed being a block south of the Arawata river, consisting of excellent land, distant from two or three miles from the port. The full conditions of the manner of settlement intended, will doubtless be published on an early date, with the proclamation defining the boundaries of the ground, when applications will be received by the Government from parties desiring to proceed to the settlement under the terms of occupation then specified. Referring to the new industries which are likely to be developed after a population has fairly set in, Mr. Macfarlane assures us that ■ large quantities of limestone and sandstone are already in abundance close to the bay, and what is of still greater importance, an excellent sample of coal has been discovered already by one of the miners working there, though the extent of the seam has not yet been defined, only a mere outcrop being visible. Clay for brick-making is also abundant and easily to be obtained. It is expected that on the next trip of the AVaipara some valuable information will bo obtained in respect to the suitability of the ground for grazing and farming purposes, and in the course of six weeks, should the weather continue favorable, Mr. Browning hopes to bo in a position to report to tho Government upon the blocks to be specially reserved. Another discovery, and one of very considerable importance, if its value is fully appreciated, was tho discovery of numbers of the true herring close to the coast in tho vicinity of tho bay. One of tho men working in that* locality assured Captain Bascand that herrings were visible in large numbers among the rocks at certain seasons. These fishes, one of which Captain Bascand had in ids possession, resemble the ordinary herring so plentiful on the coasts of Scotland. In color of scale and size of body and fin they are exactly alike. AVe may mention that James Tear, who is well known in Hokitika, where he was engaged for some time following the occupation of a boatman, expressed himself so satisfied with the prospect of the herring curing business in that locality, from the numbers lie has seen in the waters, and the presence of whales in the deeper waters outside, which has always been taken as an indication of smaller fish being abundant, and ho has resolved upon starting at Jackson’s Bay in tho fishing and curing business. The settlement of the Southern district of Westland is a work of colonial importance. It may bo the means of developing gold-mining pursuits in that region, and thereby adding to the wealth and population of the colony. At any rate, we wish Mr. Bonar success in his enterprise.

The ifarlhorouyk Express hag a leading article on the capability of Nelson and Marlborough for absorbing immigrants. After endorsing our remarks in reference to Nelson, our wellinformed contemporary says “We notice that a hazardous experiment is about to be repeated at the Karamea, somewhat similar to the Martin’s Bay Settlement, where a number of families are being put upon the laud, which is to be paid for by. a present deposit, and, deferred payments by instalments. Bor six months half work will be provided on the roads, &c., after which they will be expected to provide for themselves. Having had a few years’ experience with special settlements we venture to predict that this experiment will be a failure, as are all undertakings which are bolstered up with help, instead of relying on the sturdy patience and endurance of the people. We do not care, however, to pursue the theme, but we have no doubt whatever as to the capability of Marlborough for taking up all the immigrants now on the way, in addition to the no small number which have been sent here as surplusage from other provinces. At the present moment our depot is empty, and the demand for labor is apparently as strong as ever, and this is in advance of the busy season.”’