TE AKATEA VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2487, 19 June 1888, Page 2

TE AKATEA VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.

The great social problem of the unemployed in our large cities has ongaged, tho attention of political economist, philanthropist, and all who care for tins welfare of their fellows, and various have been the endeavours to arrive at a solution of the question. Aud having at various times read and heard much of tho progress, hopes, and fears of this settlement, I determined when opportunity presented to see if the solution of the problem here was to be a success, and if not, what is tho reason of its failure, and to whom might the blame if any bo attached. These settlements extend from Firewood Creek to within seven miles of tho Whaingaroa Hot Springs, and are about the same distance from Ngaruawahia. Tho land being of fair quality, consisting of both bush and open fern land, and a short distance to both river and rail, thus making the locality easy of access, and comparing it with the more northern village settlements, much easier to get at from Auckland, which place can be reached by the first train from Waikato during the day. Tho scenery right from the Waipa river to tho Hot Spring is beautiful. A good graded road has been surveyed by Mr I<\ Edgecumbe, nearly level all tho way, and formed, but only for horse traffic by tho settlers, which requires to be widened by the further employment of the men located on the land. Leaving the " flesh pots" of Auckland, these men came out from the allurement of city life, to make themselves homes in tho wilderness, which, under their hands were "to rejoice and blossom as the rose," They had received promises from the Government of the day of employment aud payment for their services. Nay was it not in the " bond Verily it was one of tho conditions. They have erected houses of timber—of which twelve are up — fallen bush, sown grass seed, planted orchards, made gardens, fenced m paddocks, have wheat growing, and looking well, too. In fact they have gone into the thing with a determination to succeed. One man living the furthest from the Waipa and nearest the springs actually conveyed his things out a distance of seven miles in a wheelbarrow, and : the d.ior of his dwelling ho carried on his back. Suroly these were the very elements of success. It is said with truth that "the best way to help a man is to help him to help himself." Then should not our would-be paternal Government fulfill the conditions offered to those men ; give them employment upon tho roads during the next few months. If not, alas! many must leave. But still for all that some will succeed, and quite an average of those who do so in any settlement. But why should any be allowed to fail ? Around this settlement are thousands of acres of Government land, and 20,000 acres, or more, are now being surveyed for settlement. What better advertisement of these lands could be offered than the fact that these settlers were doing well on their sections ? And if they did not do well tho blame must be laid at the door of the Government, for they alono will be responsible for the failure of those settlers. Anyone passing along the road to view the aforesaid land with tho intention of settling upon it must pass tlieso men's doors. If they found deserted homes instead of meeting with signs of progress and true settlement, what encouragement would they meet with, proceeding miles further in quest of homes? Give these village settlers a fair chance and no favour and I feel sure they will have solved that problem of which mention was first made. Otherwise many must return once more to swell that large mass of dwellers in our city, discontented and unhappy. Suroly this should never be. Tho men are perfectly satisfied with their selections and only ask the fulfilment of their bond, which in the interest of settlement should bo granted. And tho thousands of acres around will soon also bo settled upon by industrious and happy people, for it is a largo increased population that wo want in New Zealand, not dwellers in tho largo towns, but settlers upon tho land.