HAWERA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8756, 18 April 1890, Page 3

HAWERA.

[FROM OUtt OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

AritiL 14. — Since the break up of the drought the grass has grown rapidly, on both bush and open Jands. The farmers, however, complain, saying there will be no bubstance in it for winter food. Those fanners possessing good stacks of hay and straw will no doubt find their possessions more than usually valuable during the coming winter. Slowly but surely fresh settlers are making their way to Taranaki, the slowness being in a large degree attributable to the tardiness shown by the Government in getting the available Crown lands surveyed and placed in the market. Although the surveys of the land situated near the head waters of the Tongahoe river have been completed for some time, no advertisement o r intimation as to when it will be placed in the market has as yet been made public. The local football club are practising regularly for tl c Cup matches, commencing the first Saturday of next month. It seems a pity that any friction should have taken place between the Union and the New Plymouth Jockey Club, as from what I can glean the dispute was the result of a misunderstanding. In the interests of both bodies I trust the difficulty will be amicably settled. If the Union intend sending a team to Auckland by the 24th >lay next, it is quite time that the likely players were selected. Mr Major, an old established land agent here, well known in athletic circles, is suing Mr Johnston, the local brewer, for £500 damages for making an illegal distraint. The case comes on for hearing at 1 the sittings of the Supreme Court in your town this week. However the case say be decMorl, the legal fraternity will, as usual, fare well. Quite an animated newspaper controversy is taking place between Mr Marchunt, the member for Taranaki, and Mr R. 0. Ilcndy, a well known settler here, concerning the Ngairo Swamp. So far Mr Ilendy appears to have the best of the argument. Mr Murchant has made his letters an opportunity af attacking Mr McGuiro, and holding him up in the light of a bloated capitalist anxious to acquire the Ngaire Swamp for the purpose of monopolising it, to the detriment of the district ; this is not ko, ua in a Umvera Star leader the case was put plainly, "that Mr cGuire had guaranteed the settlement of forty families on the land, and to drain tho swamp without delay," and at the same time pointed out that he preferred the Government should deal rirect with the settlers. Tho lluii era Shir 1 eing politically opposed to Mr McGuire would certainly Bay nothing in his favor unless honesty demanded they should <U> so At the meeting of the Land Board the question of Mr McGuire's proposal will be again discussed. Mr Marchant'H plrilantrophir sentiments would have come better were we not on the eve of a general election, and as his electorate has virtually disappeared, his sinister motive is apparent to all who have perused his correspond ouce ypon the matter. Mr ftennoll, the Reserves Trustee, ia J»ylP£ &&&&$ vwtop Awards uyikfop

the lessees of the Native Lands pay up. Those who have not squared to date are to summoned. When Parliament meets some philo-Maori member might ask questions concerning the same ; it is therefore wise of the Government to be prepared with satisfactory answers.

At the meeting of the Land Board, on Monday, the following letter was road, which is referred to above: — Mount Royal, Okaiawn, April sth, IS9O. Sidney Wectman, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands, New Plymouth. Ive Ngtiirc Swamp. Sir, — I am pleased to find that tho rcsu't of my application of the 14th January to lease tho Ngairo Swamp has at last awakened public opinion to the importance of placing- settlers upon this supposed valuable piece of land. My principal would have gladly taken up, drained, and reclaimed the swamp, as I previously stated, and for that purpose would have given employment, as I stated in my application, to a great number of men. As tho public appear to think it undesirable to sub-lease the swamp in one or two blocks, my principal has instructed me to withdraw his offer, as he cannot see his way to expend tho large sums which are absolutely necessary for drainage, &c, unless he had control of tho whole, 01 at least half, the block. As one who has always belieA'ed that the small settlers are the real backbone of the country, it is exceedingly gratifying to me to find^that things have taken a turn in favor of this class of settlement. As the Government have become full}' alive to the importance of this matter, I hope they Mill bo able to secure to the district the immediate settlement of this supposed valuable block in small holdings, upon, I j trust, the best and most satisfactory basis. ! In the true interest of the Provincial District and colony, I hope the settlement will not be further delayed. — 1 have, &c, F. McGuirk.