THE Otago Witness. DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, JULY 10.

Otago Witness, Issue 919, 10 July 1869, Page 13

THE Otago Witness. DUNEDIN, SATURDAY , JU LY 10.

The Otago Settlement Bill which was introduced in the Assembly' by Mr Maoanduew, ia a repetition of the attempt made la«t Session to obtain authority to colonise the West Coast of this province on Bpecial terms — to do, in fact, for the West Coaat of Otago I what has already been done for several parts of the territory of Auckland. When introducing tho BUI this Session, Mr Macxndiuw expressed hi* belief that had the 'power now sought been

granted, to^, the r Government ; r of ,o.tago last' year, ;« several Vhundreds of. hard working and industrious settlers, especially from Nova Scotia and the United States of America,' would already have been located, on the soil of that hitherto unoccupied region. We have not the special information which His Hpftour may be' supposed to have been '.pa. possession of when, he made this statement, but Ye feel no doubt that the .first steps would have been taken long ere this to settle the West Coast of Ofcago had the special facilities provided 'for hy . this Bxll,,'been available. The region in question has long been, looked to as a sort of 'pro misedland' by sceres who are on the look out for new enterprises. Its splendid harbours, its . promise of gold at one end, of the coast line, and of ooal at, the other ; its riches in timber and in minerals, have been a favourite theme with "the people of Otago ever since anything? "was known of it. Especially has this Deen the case since the date of that expedition headed by Dr Hector, which first succeeded in defining a practicable route from the northern portions of bur western coast-line to the gbldfields of the Lake District. Tf .the Bill now before the Assembly be passed there can be little doubt of its bearing fruit in the way of a practical, settlement of this interesting portion of the province. . The only objection we are disposed to, make to this bill is its restricted 1 character. It only makes provision for* special settlements being initiated at two places' on the extensive coast line to which it relates. True, the available points for settlement are known to be very few, but they are certainly not confined to two only. Nor can we be at all sure that no suitable spot has been overlooked during 1 the very moderate amount of examination which has been given to many of the large inlets which characterize that peculiar coast. However, it may be that we are wrong, in objecting to the proposed arrangement which confines the seat of special settlements to Preservation Inlet and, Martin's Bay. It is best at all times to begin with small things. If the present project is as successful as it is expected to be, there can be little! doubt that an extension of it can be accomplished. The bill as it stands is intended to authorise the Superintendent to set apart by proclamation 'sites for settlements for colonization,' at Martin's Bay and Preservation Inlet, not exceeding in eaoh case one hundred thousand acres. The operation of our Waste Lands Act is to be suspended over the areas so proclaimed, and the provisions of the Settlements Act are to replace our East Coast system of Hundreds and Goldfields blocks, which are clearly not i very suitable to the circumstances of the other coast. The land within these blocks of one hundred thousand acrett is to be divided into three classes. Ten thousand acres may be absolutely given to bona fde settlers, thirty thousand acres may be sold at five shillings per acre, but only in lots of one hundred acres to any one person. The remaining sixty thousand acres will be open, for selection at a fixed price of ten shillings per acre, or may be offered by auction at an upset price of five shillings per acre, no one person being allowed to obtain by purchase more than five hundred acres. All other lands in tho neighbourhoods of these special settlement* are still to be held for the magic sum of one- pound per acre — an arrangement which will hereafter have to be broken through, if the proposed settlements are at all successful but which in the meantime is a needful proviso to disarm opposition t<i the scheme. The conditions on which free grants are to be made aro to be fixed by the Superintendent and Executive.* No such grant ia to exceed' one hundred acres, or to bo given to any pornon who is under fifteen years offtge. Two years' occupation during, tho three year* immediately following the authorisation to oomipy are to' be » riiw qua non of a free grant. A saving clause is put in for those who may neglect to oomply with this condition, by which they may exeroiftft preemption in respect of tho |

s area they were originally authorised, to occupy,, at the rate of ten shillings per acre, payable within the term of three years already refened to/ '

' One tiding we are very glad to notice in this Bill, viz.,, the provisions for localising the expenditure of the moneys received from the sale of these special blocks. None of these are to come irito the common purse of the province, but are to be expended, ', (1.) In defraying the. expenses incident to the formation and laying out of each such settlement. (2.) In the making and construction of roads and any other necessary public works within each such settlement. (3.) In establishing endowing and maintaining public schools and any other necessary public institutions within each such settlement. (4.) In promoting immigration for the purpose of securing the efficient colonisation of each such settlement/ How many districts on the East Coast would like to see a similar law passed in regard to the land .revenue drawn within their borders !