TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1024, 15 July 1871, Page 21

TO THE EDITOR.

Sjk-— Your correspondent " Pioneer " beUeves that if speoial settlements similar to that at Martin's Bay were proclaimed at Stewart's Island and Catlin's River, a largo number of young men and others would immediately avail themselves of theopportunity. The same was said before the Martin's Bay settlement was commenced. What is the result? In eighteen months' time the population numbers 39, and the Government expenditure in obtaining this result is nearly LIOO a head, It becomes us, therefore, to pauße and think before rushing again into such a costly experiment; and despatching a '•staff of surveyors" to Stewart's Island chimes in rather badly with recent retrenchments. For my part, I believe that a gre>t deal of clap-trap is talked about these settlements. At Catlin's River there has long been a nucleus of settlement, and I remember seuiug a paragraph in the Daily Times a year ago in which some figures were given showing how rapidly land whs being taken up in this locality. With a passable track to Port Molyneux, and the removal of <ho dangerous rock at the entrance to the harbour (which I have been told on competent author^.y would cost aDowt L 400), Catlia's River will progress by itself without any further stimulus. With regard to Stewart's Island, I freely confess that more will requiro to be done. The questions then arise, Should such expense oe incurred? Is it warranted by the probable result ? In my opinion the answer to both questioßS is — No. I do not think, judging trom the past, that it would be a wise speculation for the Government to go to much expense in founding a settlement a^ Stewart's Island, where agriculture would not pay. Fishing and timber cutting are the only occupations nt all likely for many years to come to be engaged in on the Island, and neither of these requires the services of a " staff of surveyors." I think, however, that your correspondent's sins of omission are as great as those of commission. Why does he say nothing of Waikava ? Here, in my opinion, and that of many more, is by far the best site for a special settlement in the province. It possesses a good harbour within a few hours' run of Otago Heads, almost limitless bush of the finest quality, valuable coal seams, and building stone ; gold is found in the Baud on the beach, and fl>x grows plentifully, while fish abound both in the harbour and in the open sea outude the Heads. Add to this, that Waikava possesses a fine river, and a quantity o! fiat land, and I ask, What more desirable plwce for settlement can be conpeived? Here, also, there is already the germ of what may in time to come become a thriving little port, and vessels built at Waikava" hive before now bsen favourably gpokeu of iv your columns. Here then, I would say, let the Government m&ke its next expenm«nt at colonisation ; but it" it is to succeed, the settlement mast be p'aoed in more regular communication with the outer world. The absurdity of the nearest post office being at Popotnooa, 50 miles off, and attainable only by means of a bridle path, must be done away with. The thing, if worth doing at all, is worth doing well, and if the Government do their best to make Waikava accessible, I think they will have no cause to regret the outlay. I for one, have always been puzzled to know wbat induced them to pitch upon Martin's Bay ac the scene of the first special settlement, while the so muoh more promising locality of Waikava was al together overlooked. — I am, &c, F.