THE CLAIMS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4885, 17 November 1876, Page 2

THE CLAIMS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES.

1 Sib, —I beg to furnish through your paper, for the benefit of those early setters who feel an interest in the advocacy of their claims, a report of what I have done up to the present time. ‘ I trust, in order that the just claims of the pioneers of the colony may bo further advanced, that the journals in other parts of the colony may rouse the pioneer settlers to a course of action, as indicated in my letter to Sir George Grey, a copy Of which I furnish below; and that in the early part of next session of Parliament steps may be taken to support the prayer of the petition presented to Parliament 80th July, 1875, by Sir George Grey, the 23rd clause;of which is—“ That your petitioners pray for a full inquiry into, and investigation pf, their case, at such time and in such manner as the House.may direct.” Sir George Grey informed me, at an interview I had with him on -'the subject, that .’early next session r he would do all in his power to advance the just claims of the pioneer settlers, who, I think, cannot but recognise the deep interest he has taken in their welfare., I, hope that there are other representatives in the present Parliament who- will ! direct ■ their attention-to these just Claims," and’-that in, all parts of -the colony where the pioneers’and their families are distributed'they will urge'upon their representatives the’neoresity'of their support. The 87th anniversary of the foundation, of the colony is fast approaching.: January the’ 22nd will soon be here, ■ and that' day would be a fitting time for'a meeting in Wellington of pioneers'!rom’ all parts of the. colony, who could agree upon what steps shall be'taken before Parliament to urge the’ further .consideration of the petition already ref erred, to.. The question’ofthe claims of the early settlers is a colonial question, and is much' more likely to be dealt with iuponits’ true merits, now that the provinces are abolished, than it was before.

The annexed letter to Sir George Grey places, the matter fully before those interested, and needs no further remark of mine, except that ! trust the suggestions made may be carried; out.—l am, &c.,

Wellington, November 15.' (COPY OF LETTER TO SIR GEORGE GREY.) Wellington, October 20. Sib, Owing to the press of public business, imposed, upon you during the present session of Parliament I have refrained, up to the present time, from directing your attention to the nUImW. of the early settlers, as fully set forth in Parliamentary Paper, 1875, J.L, which contains thepetition kindly presented by you last session, the evidence of myself before the PublicPetitions Committee, and the report of the Public Petitions Committee; What I would,, on behalf of the early settlers, beg you to behind enough to do, if not imposing too much upon your time, would be to ask for additional evidence to be taken before the Public Petitions Committee, with a view to further consideration to the just claims of the pioneers of the colony, as set forth in the petition alluded to. Should you succeed in this, I will furnish you with the names of pioneers who can give satisfactory evidence of the claims of the early settlers, m support of the prayer of the petition* clause 23.—1 am, &c., -

_ _ ' J. H. Wallace, Sir George Grey, K.C.8., M.H.R.