Grey town Special Settlement Association.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1811, 24 March 1886, Page 2

Grey town Special Settlement Association.

A general meeting of those persons interested in the fmmation of the above Association was held on Monday evening at Mr F. H. Wood’s looms. There was not a luge attendance, bat those present were unanimously in favour of the project. His Worship the Mayor was voted to the chair, who called upon the secretary pro tem. (Mr St George) to read the minutes of last meeting, and then asked Mr Buchanan, M.H.K., who was present by invitation, to give his views upon the subject. Mr Buchanan said Mr St George had written to him asking for plana, and he (Mr B) had written to the Surveyor-General informing him of the meetings, and asking that the necessary plans should be forwarded ; he had also pointed out the importance of these meetings. At Carterton the plans came to hand punctually, and he was disappointed to had that they had not been received by the secretary in Greytown. After all he did not know that it was of much importance for the present meeting. The Carterton Association had the latest plans, and bad appointed three delegates to go to the Forty Mile Bnsh, and inspect the blecks. So many Associations bad been started that both Carterton and Greytown were late in the field, and the best blocks of land bad been taken up. The Carterton delegatee found that there was only one block that they cared for, but they considered it was only large enough for 25 persons to take up, there being a certain amount of billy country connected with it. Those present would ol course, be aware that this delegation had waited upon the Minister ol Lands, and spokeu about the Maungatinoke Block. Tha Government replied that the Land Board hed applied hi this block, to be offered under deferred payments. He bad suggested to the Carterton Association that they should aak the Waste Lands Board to make an exchange, getting this for another block ; bat he did not think the result would be favourable. At the present time the Government were trying to get another block of land from the natives, in which there was a quantity of good laad ; but they all knew the uncertainty of concluding negotiation! (or native lands, and it might be twelve months or more before the transfer was settled. In the Forty Mile Bnsh tha Government bad not enough land tor Special Settlements. With regard to the Special Settlement scheme there is no donbt the Government have sought to open up land upon most liberal terms—the price being more reasonable than had before been tha case, and there being no competition. When they considered that the Government returned a portion of the money for roads it was clear that they pocketed nothing. Settlers coold not expect more liberal terms. But tha blot upon the system was tha want ol roads. Without this a decant living could not ba made out of the land. He had spokan upon the subject, but, although the Minister of Lands, he thought, was open to conviction, his colleagues would hear of no alteration. It would be better to spend 10s an tore upon roads, and charge it upon the settlers. Trade must increase, and roads were moat necessary. The Government were getting tha concurrence ol the country lor a big loan scheme to spend in railways. Both Mr Stout and Mr Vogel bad elated that the money meet be spent upon railways, not roads. This was their policy. But his (Ur B’s) own views were—and he knew that all practical settlers would agree with him—that the first necessity was a road —railways should follow (Hear, Hear). Another fault of the scheme was that there was a large area in some of those blocks not suitable for settle, ment. If they were to have a Special Settlement they must have the pick of the land. There was a hard and fast rule that not more than 160 acres could betaken up ; this should be relaxed and larger areas of less valuable laud would be taken up. Another point: Every settler knew that a personal selection of land was the best. Under the Special Settlement regulations they ooald not do this. It was all a lottery—you drew your allotment, and upon your good fortune in drawing depended your fortune in getting good land. Under the deferred payment and perpetual leasing systems a settler can visit and inspect the land, and then bid up to a certain value. Again —the Government were getting land surveyed under the contract system. In the North Island, where there is so little flat land, the location of roads should be the matter of greatest care. In his opinion road engineers should precede the surveyors, and then there would be proper roade laid ont. Mr Buchanan, in conclusion, said be would be glad to answer any que*« lions, and give any information be was possessed of. The Chairman thanked Mr Buchanan for the trouble he had taken to come and address the meeting. He hoped those preset would ask questions if any suggested themselves. There were gentlemen preseut who knew thoroughly the working of land, and he hoped they would speak freely. The meeting then drifted into the conversational form, and the pros and cons of tha scheme were discussed. Mr Buchanan an« swering several questions. Mr Udy, sen., proposed, “ That an Associa* tion be formed of 40 members, (with power to add 10 additional if necessary), to be called the Greytown Special Settlement Association.” Seconded by Mr Cole and carried. Mr St George proposed that a sum of 3a 6d constitute membership, to be applied to defraying expenses. Mr B. G. Welch pioposcd as an amend* ment that the sum be ss. Seconded by Mr Cole. Mr St George withdrew his motion, and Mr Welch’s proposition was cairied Mr Nation moved, "That a committee be appointed to ascertain particulars concerning the Mangaone Block, and its position with regard to the settled townships around, railway lines and main roads. Also to report upon other blocks open for select ion." Mr H. Udy, jun., secon led. 'anied. A committee of six geiiliruieu wuiu then elected, comprising Messrs H. Udy, sen, and jun, It. G. Welch,.!. F. tiocU-i, J. Fabian, and Cole. Mr St George was elected secretary. A vote of thanks to the Chairman of the meeting concluded the business.