A NEW SETTLEMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 174, 6 June 1862, Page 5

A NEW SETTLEMENT.

Another movement is, we understand, about to be made to start, on a somewhat novel plan, a settlement on the river Albert, at the Gulf of Carpentaria. We have been shown the draft of a prospectus, which-proposes to rqise L 24.000 in 300 shares of LSO each. It is proposed to charter a ship to convey a party of 300 men to the proposed settlement, each shareholder having to go himself or find a substitue. The prospectus provides that all necessary tools and implements are to be taken, and a full supply of stores for twelve months. The scheme seems to be base don the principle of associated labor, and the union is to last for twelve months, during which time it is proposed that all shall labor for mutual advantage. Each shareholders to acquire a right to a certain extent of territory, and at the end cf twelve months the moveable property of the association, such as tools, implements, &c, is to be. sold or divided. Liberal offers are to be held out to eacourage pastorul settlement, the port is to be free, and there are to be no taxes or assessments imposed to check the development of industry and the general resources of the settlement, until the community sdall be in a'position to support a municipal form of government.

The whole scheme seems to bear some resemblance to thnt'of Paterson for the colonization of the Isthmus of Darieh.

The difficulties that such a scheme will meet with are these :—The power of any association to divide territory hmongst its memberstwill be doubted by the public, and the question will naturally be raised^ How can such a power be acquired ? There will be a difficulty in getting even 300 subscribers to believe in the scheme or in each other ; and last teough not least, will any 300 men ever be found who will fairly and honestly pull together, and act for the common good, even for the common good, even for the short period of twelve months ? Abont half of the gulf country belongs to Queensland, the 141 st meridian, as we have heretofore said, being the western boundary of that colony ; but there is a considerable extent of the territory to the west of that meridian, and there is every reason lo believe teat either on the western frontier of Queensland or near to it, a rich golil-fleld will yet be discovered. We know that this opinion lias long been held by the Rev. Mr. Clarke, and we believe that he has hitherto seldom, if ever, failed in pointing out where gold would be fonud.— Yeoman, May 17.