HEREKINO VILLAGE HOMESTEAD SPECIAL SETTLEMENT (REPORT ON), BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS, AUCKLAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1887 Session I, C-13

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1887. NEW ZEALAND.

HEREKINO VILLAGE HOMESTEAD SPECIAL SETTLEMENT (REPORT ON), BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS, AUCKLAND.

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Ballance, ivith Leave of the House.

The Commissioner of Grown Lands, Auckland, to the Undeb-Secketaby for Cbown Lands, Wellington. Sm, — Auckland Crown Lands Office, 17th April, 1887. I have the honour to inform you that, in compliance with the request conveyed to me in your memorandum of the 15th March last, I proceeded to visit the recently-formed village homestead special settlement at Herekino. Leaving Auckland on the evening of the 28th ultimo, I arrived at Mongonui on the 29th, and at Ahipara on the 30th, reaching Herekino a little after noon of the 31st. After devoting four days to the prosecution of the object of my visit, I returned on the 6th instant to Mongonui, the nearest telegraph-station, whence I telegraphed to you as follows : "I have just returned here from Herekino, having personally visited all the settlers on the block, sixty-one in number, all of whom, with one or two exceptions, expressed themselves to me as well satisfied with their sections, and seemed highly pleased with the settlement. One widespread grievance was represented to me wherever I went through the block—this was the difficulty of obtaining their provisions, coupled with the high prices charged for them. At the present time the provisions required by many settlers are carried on their backs from Ahipara, a distance of thirteen miles, over an extremely fatiguing and in places an almost impassable, precipitous track, entailing upon them not only loss of time to the extent of two days usually for the journey, but also the galling disappointment to them if, through the insufficiency of the storekeeper's supplies (which happens not infrequently), they must return to their homes empty-handed. To remedy this really serious grievance one of two courses is suggested— viz., first, either the Government should establish a provision-store in some centrally-situated part of the block, or should —which I think the preferable course to adopt—subsidize temporarily one of the north-west coast steamers to make periodical trips —say monthly—to Whangape, leaving stores in the meantime to be undertaken by private enterprise. lam convinced that the adoption of one or other of the above courses is necessary. The regular, or even the occasional, trips of a steamer to "Whangape, added to other facilities now being given in the form of road-accommodation, will, I do not hesitate to say, render the settlement a marked success, and at the same time will contribute greatly to the happiness and contentment of the settlers. I cannot too earnestly urge this matter upon the Government. I shall report further on my arrival in Auckland. Mr. Kavanagh, the village steward, accompanied me throughout the block, inspecting all the improvements effected, and, having seen that they were satisfactory, I paid the advances upon them." As indicated in the above telegram, I personally interviewed all the settlers located on the block. The result of each interview is noted with some degree of particularity in the schedule accompanying this report. It will be seen that the satisfaction expressed to me by the settlers with regard to their respective holdings is distinguished by a very near approach to unanimity. Indeed, this could hardly be otherwise, for, as regards the land generally throughout the block, its adaptability for settlement is admittedly beyond question. As evidencing the estimation in which the settlement appears to be held by the settlers, I could not but notice as somewhat significant that wherever an allotment was supposed to be unselected, or rumoured as about to become vacant, there were sure to be three or four settlers most anxious to secure it for relatives or friends in Auckland or elsewhere. Moreover, I received several gratuitous assurances from settlers —assurances which were, if possible, even more warmly participated in by their wives—that nothing would induce them to return to Auckland. Others told me that they were resolved to " stick to it " —meaning their sections, and that should they fail it would not be their faults. I must say, however, that very great stress indeed was laid by the settlers upon the difficulty of obtaining provisions, in consequence of the frequent insufficiency of supplies, the high rates I—C. 13.

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charged for them, and the very long distance at which the stores were situated from the settlement. In fact, this constituted the only downright complaint made to me. As, however, this difficulty was promptly met by the Hon. the Minister of Lands in acceding to my recommendation for a series of trips by the steamer " Oreti " to Whangape, it need not now be further dwelt upon. Special reference was also made by many of the settlers to the delay which had occurred in placing them on their sections. Those who had come to the block with extremely limited supplies of provisions were, of course, amongst the first to feel the inconvenience of this delay ; but as roadworks commenced the uneasiness created by seeing their slender stock of provisions becoming rapidly exhausted was soon dispelled. I nevertheless think—indeed, I have always thought—that it would be wise in connection with all such settlements to insist upon the surveys being considerably in advance of actual occupations. The state of inactivity in which some of the Herekino settlers were kept from this cause was, lam assured, the origin of much discontent. At the time of my visit the subdivisional surveys were in a very forward state, and wore being actively carried on to completion by Mr. Maurice Smith and Mr. Ward. The road-works, under the careful personal supervision of Mr. Galbraith, have been so devised as to give, when completed, a means of communication to each section. From twenty-five to thirty of the settlers were, when I was there, employed in various parts of the settlement upon those works at the rate of ss. each per day. The remainder of the settlers were upon their sections engaged in various kinds of avocations—viz., sawing timber, falling bush, clearing, burning off, splitting shingles and palings, well-digging, &c. Comparatively little has been done in the way of cultivation, or in the erection of permanent dwelling-houses; but, as a matter of fact, very little in the form of improvements could be expected, seeing that the settlement has been so short a time in existence. Information was sought from me respecting the establishment of a school and of a post-office in the settlement, and advice was given by me as to the manner of proceeding in the matter, and as to the proper authorities to whom applications on the subjects should be addressed. I hope their efforts to secure both these institutions may be attended with success. Numerous questions were raised as to the interpretation to be placed upon certain clauses of the village-settlement regulations, and in each instance the fullest possible information was furnished. Amongst other questions asked the following one was not unfrequently put to me, " Where shall we find a market for our produce ? " To this query a convincing reply was invariably afforded by an extract which I had made from the freight-list of the steamer " Clansman " on my way to Mongonui. The " Clansman," I may state, makes weekly trips from Auckland to the Bay of Islands, Whangaroa, and Mongonui; and I believe I am right in saying it rarely happens that her cargo from the former port does not, in part at least, comprise the following articles of produce : viz., milk, butter, cheese, bacon, eggs, potatoes, apples, plums, jams, oats, chaff; also lobster, salmon, tinned meats, cured fish, &c. I need hardly say that it not only appeared to occasion much surprise to many of the settlers, but also seemed a matter of difficulty for them to realize that products of the nature above stated should require to be sent from Auckland to the chief centres of population in such very old-established districts as those mentioned. I think it not improbable that others may also share in the surprise which those settlers exhibited. That many of the products enumerated should not, in the localities referred to, be produced in abundance, or, at all events, in sufficient quantities to satisfy local requirements, is certainly not easy of comprehension. There may possibly be special reasons to account for such a state of things ; but I can only say that none were advanced, although, when at those places, I made repeated efforts to elicit them. Under these circumstances it is pleasant to avow one's belief that such a state of things must and will speedily alter as the village settlements established in the North of Auckland thrive and flourish. On my way to and from the settlement I passed through the Manukau Gorge, and was pleased to find that an excellent road, comparatively level and free from engineering difficulties, would be easily acquired. It is now in process of survey. This road, when opened out for traffic, will connect the block with Ahipara, Awanui, Kaitaia, Mongonui, and other important places, thus further enhancing the advantages enjoyed by the Herekino Settlement. I have, (fee., D. A. Tolb, The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington. Commissioner Crown Lands.

Schedule op Selectors Interviewed. 1. Charles Smith, Block VII., Section 70, Whangape Survey District. —Met him on the road between Kaitaia and Ahipara. Said he was going to the Takahue Special Settlement, as he had heard good accounts of it. Told him all the best sections at that place had been taken up. Asked him if he had seen his section at Herekino. He replied that he had, and that it was not by any means a bad one. He had not worked upon it. He finally resolved to return to Herekino, and I saw him a day or so afterwards on the block. 2. Henry Charlton Powell, Block VII., Section 55, Whangape Survey District.—ln charge of a road-party. Has a forest-section, with which he is well satisfied. Not residing on it at present. Had cleared a little for a garden. Intends to commence falling in the winter. Spoke of the difficulty of obtaining provisions and the long distance the settlers had to travel for them. Seemed to think highly of the*settlement. 3. William Lloyd, Block 11., Section 16, Herekino Survey District.—Had got from ten to twelve acres ploughed. Well satisfied with his section. Appeared to be happy and contented.

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Engaged in putting up a permanent dwelling-house. Referred to what he termed the " i!) justice " of allowing £2 10s. an acre for clearing and grassing forest-land, and only £1 ss. for high-fern and tea-tree land. This subject will be dealt with in a separate report. 4. George Ld. Beadle, Block VII., Section 37, Whangape Survey District.—Not yet taken possession of his section. Had seen it, and considered it a very good one. Had been working with his father, who is also a village settler, now on road-work. 5. William Henry Beadle. —Not a selector. Brother of the previous settler. Wishes to secure a section on the block when one vacant. Likes the settlement. G. Benjamin Bateson, Block VII., Section 60, Whangape Survey District. — Residing, with wife and family, on his section. A small house built upon it, but as yet no clearing effected. Expressed himself well satisfied with his allotment. Was employed upon road-work. 7. Henry James Lamb, Block YIL, Section 46, Whangape Survey District.—At work on the roads. Wife and family on his section. Whore erected, and had fallen some bush. Well pleased with his land, and considered prospects of settlement good. 8. Frederick Oxenham, Block VII., Section 64, Whangape Survey District. —Had not yet taken possession of his section. Nevertheless liked it very well. At present at road-work. Satisfied with settlement. 9. John Deverell, Block VII., Section 29, Whangape Survey District.—JNot living on his section. Awaiting road-accommodation to be provided. Was nevertheless pleased with the land. Engaged on road-work. 10. Eobert Craig, Block VII., Section 56, Whangape Survey District.—At present living on Brockbank's section. At work splitting palings. In a couple of months' time intending to commence falling the bush on his section, with which he stated he was well pleased. 11. Stephen Watson, Block VII., Section 11, Whangape Survey District.—At work splitting palings. Was not pleased with his section, though satisfied with block. Desired to have it exchanged for another. Promised that I would endeavour to give effect to his wishes. A good hardworking settler. 12. John Brockbank, Block VII., Section 59, Whangape Survey District.—Well satisfied with his section. Two houses erected upon it. Told me he " means to go ahead." 13. Albert Jabez Whitcombe, Block VII., Section 23, Whangape Survey District.—At present on his brother's section, building a house and digging a well. A whare already erected. Pleased with his section. 14. George William Whitcombe, Block VII., Section 22, Whangape Survey District.—An elder brother of the previous settler. At time of my visit engaged as cook at surveyor's camp. Thought well of his section. 15. Charles Chambers, Block VII., Section 20, Whangape Survey District.—Living on his section. Eight acres cleared for ploughing. Liked his section very well. Called it a " very nice place." 16. Chris. P. Gardner, Block 11., Section 1, Herekino Survey District.—Had got eight or nine acres cleared. No reason to complain of his section; on the contrary, satisfied with it. If arrangements made to enable provisions to be more easily got would be as happy as possible. In charge of a road-party. 17. Edward Harvey, Block VII., Section 6, W Thangape Survey District. —Living on his section. A whare erected. At present working on the roads. " Perfectly satisfied with his section. Likes the place well." 18. Eandall Bell Curling, Section 15. —One acre cleared. A house in course of erection. Likes his section very well. Altogether quite satisfied but for high rate of provisions and difficulty of getting them on the block. Employed on road-works. 19. John Sherlock, Block VII., Section 36, Whangape Survey District.—Employed at road-work. Has as yet done nothing on his section, with which he is well satisfied, as also with the settlement. 20. Edward Wilson, Block VII., Section 21, Whangape Survey District.—Living on his section. A whare erected. Nothing further done. Engaged on road-work. Pleased with his section and with the settlement. 21. James Pemberton, Block 111., Section 5, Herekino Survey District.—Asked leave to exchange his section. Informed him that ho would be allowed to do so. Pleased with the settlement. No ground of complaint save usual one concerning difficulty of obtaining provisions from causes already explained. At work on the roads. 22. James Mclndoe, Block 11., Section 4, Herekino Survey District.—Living on his section. A nikau whare built, and a little clearing done. Well pleased with his section and with the settlement. At work on his section. 23. Thomas Gallagher, Block IT., Section 5, Herekino Survey District.— A whare erected. Living on the section with his wife and family. Had done some clearing and a burning-off. Was digging a well. In answer to usual questions, said, " Like my section first rate, and think the settlement will turn out first class. Would not go back to Auckland." 24. Richard Vercoe, Block 11., Section 17, Herekino Survey District.—Wife and family on the section. A very nice nikau whare erected. A piece of ground cleared and enclosed. Mr. Vercoe at Whangape, building a church for the Natives of that place. Mrs. Vercoe said her husband was very well pleased with his section. Made the usual complaint about the difficulty of obtaining provisions. A day or two afterwards saw Mr. Vercoe, who, in the course of conversation, verified the statements as above. .25. Henry Bloxham, Block 11., Section 6, Herekino Survey District.—Living on section with his wife and family. A nikau whare built. A"bout half an acre of garden with seeds sown. A quantity of stumps cut, and a plot of ground cleared. Expected a cow and a calf on the ground in about a week's time. Extremely well pleased with his section.

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26. Thomas Eae, Block 11., Section 7, Herekino Survey District.—A comfortable whare erected, and' about three acres cleared. Much pleased with his section. Wife and family with him. 27. John Shaw, Block 111., Section 1, Herekino Survey District.—Living on section with his wife and family. A nikau whare erected. About to commence erection of permanent dwellinghouse. Had some bush felled and a little tea-tree land cleared. Quite content with his section. Entertained great hopes of success of settlement. In charge of a road-party. 28. John Henry Baker, Block 111., Section 2, Herekino Survey District.—Living on his section. Considered it a beautiful one. Hopes to do well upon it. A permanent dwelling-house fully up to the standard erected. About an acre cleared. Is a market-gardener, and in time will make the surroundings of his house very pretty. Eeferrod to difficulty of obtaining provisions. 29. William Smith, Block 111., Section 16, Herekino Survey District. —Living with his family on the section. A nikau whare erected, and a small quantity of clearing done. Complained bitterly of difficulty of securing provisions—stores so far away from the block. Considered his section a good one. 30. James Baker, Block IX., Section 7, Whangape Survey District.—Not yet taken possession of his section. Wished to exchange it for another—namely, Lot 4, Block 111., Herekino, because of the scarcity of water upon the former. Upon being told that the section he wanted had already been allotted, he determined to retain his original section, saying it was " a grand one." Liked the settlement. Thought highly of it. Made usual complaint concerning provisions. 31. Joseph Bradley, Block 111., Section 6, Herekino Survey District.—Living with his wife and family in a nikau whare close to his section, upon which he has cleared and cultivated a small plot of ground. Stated he was well satisfied with his section and with the settlement. 32. John Andrew, Block IX., Section 8, Whangape Survey District.—Living in a Maori whare. Got about an acre and a half felled. Had no fault to find with his section. Seemed a hardworking fellow. 33. Gilbert Dobson, Block IX., Section 4, Whangape Survey District.—A nikau whare erected. A little clearing effected. In answer to usual inquiries said, " Like my section very well. A really good section." Complained that Mr. Lundon's order for 14cwt. of flour in lieu of money for construction of a road by himself and other settlers had not been executed by Mr. . Promised to see Mr. on the matter. Did so on the following day, when I received his assurance that the order would be duly attended to. Made usual reference to difficulty of securing provisions. 34. William Henry Cavanagh, Block IX., Section 22, Whangape Survey District.—Living on section in a nikau whare. Said his section was " not particularly good, but nothing to grumble about." No complaint to make save the usual one respecting provisions. Employed on road-work. 35. James McCauley, Block IX., Section 17, Whangape Survey District.—Eesiding on his section with his son. Little or nothing done in the way of improvements. Said he was highly satisfied with his section. Held forth at considerable length about difficulty of procuring provisions, and the tiresome journeys he had undertaken to get them. Otherwise no ground of complaint. 36. Herbert Clark Eowland, Block IX., Section 14, Whangape Survey District.—A nikau whare erected and a little clearing done. Engaged on road-works. Considered his section a good one. Usual complaints as to provisions. 37. Thomas Armstrong, Block IX., Section 12, Whangape Survey District.—As yet nothing done on his section, which he liked very well. It contains a small peach-grove. Made usual complaint respecting provisions. 38. John Lee, Block VII., Section 2, Whangape Survey District.—A nikau whare erected. Unfortunately, located himself on wrong section. Wife and family with him. At work splitting slabs. Would not change his own section for any other in the settlement. Usual complaint re provisions. 39. J. Thomas Aspden, Block IX., Section 10, W 7hangape Survey District.—Living on his section. A nikau whare erected. A little garden made. Pleased with his section. Usual complaint —high rate of provisions and difficult}' of getting them on the block. 40. William Ferguson, Block IX., Section 21, Whangape Survey District.—Living in same whare as Aspden. A clearing of about half an acre made. No fault to find with section. Same complaint as previous settler re provisions. 41. Thomas Matison, Block VII., Section 14, Whangape Survey District.—Not living on his section. Wishes to exchange it for 3, Block 111. Thinks his own section a good one, but would prefer the other. Promised to inquire into matter. 42. James Jonathan Adams, Block 111., Section 15, Herekino.—Likes his section very well. Had cleared a little ground. House in course of erection. 43. William Burgoyne, Block 111., Section 14, Herekino Survey District.—Not living on his section ; residing at present on Adams's holding. No fault to find with his section. 44. Alfred Burgoyne, Block HI., Section 13, Herekino Survey District.—lnformed me that he intended to abandon his section. Could not live without food. Asked him if he had had greater difficulties to ..encounter than any of the other settlers in procuring provisions. Eeplied, he did not think so. "Is not Eyan's store within almost rifle-range of your section?" "But there are no supplies to be had there." He complained very bitteiiy indeed of the difficulty of obtaining provisions, and appeared to be thoroughly discontented. Finally, he told me that Mrs. Burgoyne did not like bush-life, and that, in deference to her w Tishes, he had decided to return to Auckland. Would like his section transferred to a fellow-passenger—l think he said—named McKenzie.

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45. John Young, Block 11., Section 8, Herekino Survey District.—At present in occupation of his stepson's section. A very fine nikau whare built upon it, and about two acres cleared. Considered his own section and that of his stepson "very good indeed." He and his wife appeared to be thoroughly happy and comfortable, both well pleased with the settlement. 46. Robert Peter McKenzie, Block VII., Section 26, Whangape Survey District.—Had not settled down upon his section, concerning which he had no complaint to offer. Had heard that Mr. Burgoyne intended to leave the settlement, and asked if I would allow him to exchange his own section for that about to be vacated by Mr. Burgoyne. Promised to do so. 47. Edward Sharon, Block 11., Section 3, Herekino Survey District. —Living on his section. A nikau whare erected. At work on his section, with which he was quite pleased, as also with the settlement generally. Considered the grants made in aid of clearing in fern and tea-tree land should be made to assimilate to those in the case of bush land. 48. Samuel Baker, Block VII., Section 28, Whangape Survey District.—Has not yet taken possession of his section. Was engaged in sawing timber for the erection of dwelling-houses for some of the settlers by whom he was employed. Had seen his section, and characterized it as " good land ; well satisfied with it." 49. Archibald McPherson, Block VII., Section 10, Whangape Survey District.—Not residing on his section, and not particularly well pleased with it. Said it was " fern land, and very scrubby ;" no water on it: besides, it was a long distance from the sections occupied by his friends. Wished to get Section 27, Block VII., selected by one Budd, who was reported to have gone to Sydney. Told him, if assured on inquiry that Budd had gone away, I would allot the section to him. 50. James McGrath, Block VII., Section 7, Whangape Survey District.—Living on his section. A nikau whare erected. A little fern-clearing done. Likes his section very well. Complained (as several others did) of delay in putting him on his section. Meanwhile, food nearly all gone. 51. Frederick James Lawrence, Block VII., Section 71, Whangape Survey District.—Residing on his section. A nikau whare built. A four-roomed house in course of erection. Was sinking a well. Had opened out a road to his homestead. Twenty acres burnt off. One acre of orchard and garden. On being asked how he liked his section said, " First-rate. Could not be better if I had picked it out of ten thousand acres." 52. Seth Parsons, Block VII., Section 39, Whangapo Survey District.—Living on his section. A nikau whare erected. Said sawyers would be on his ground next week to cue timber for permanent house and other purposes. Referring to his section said, " Very good section—> three streams of water. Would not change with any one. I think there's a good future before the settlement." 53. Jeremiah Hurvid, Block 11., Section 11, Herekino Survey District.—Living on his section. A nikau whare built. A little land tilled. Considers his section " a really good one." Intends to make it his home. 54. James MoAuley, jun., Block IX., Section 13, Whangape Survey District.—Living at present on his father's section. Thinks of relinquishing his allotment ; in which case another village settler, Mr. Matthew Steed, would be very glad to get it. Promised to try and comply with the latter's wishes in the matter. 55. William Henry Beadle, Block VII., Section 38, Whangape Survey District.—Living with his family on his section. A nikau whare erected, and some bush felled Expressed satisfaction with his section. Complained at long distance at which he was situated from tho provision-store. 56. Andrew Stephens, Block VII., Section 12, Whangape Survey District.—At time of my visit had gone to Ahipara for provisions. Mrs. Stephens informed me that, whilst her husband had no fault to find with the character of the land in his section, he thought it was too remotely situated in the block. Would like to get one near his son-in-law. Promised to see if I could arrange the matter for them. 57. John Shannahan, Block IX., Section 5, Whangape Survey District.—Living on his section. Good land, but far back in the block, and for this reason would like to exchange for one more readily accessible. Promised to do my best for him. 58. Matthew Steed, Block VII., Section 58, Whangape Survey District.—Pleased with the settlement and with his section. Referred to the provisions difficulty. At present with roadparty. 59. William C. Bunkall, Block 11., Section 13, Herekino Survey District.—Well satisfied with hissection, upon which he is at present living with his wife and family. A nikau whare erected. Intends commencing to build a permanent dwelling-house very shortly, and to open a store. 60. Robert Ford, Block VII., Section 15, Whangape Survey District.—Heard that he was carrying on the business of a butcher on the block. Did not see him, but learnt from others that he was content with his section. 61. James Ford, Block VII., Section 32, Whangape Survey District.—Living on his section, with which he is well pleased. Nikau whare erected, but no improvements of any moment as yet effected. The following men made personal applications to mo for sections in the settlement: viz., Nos. 62. Joseph Baker ; 63, Robert Ford, sen.; 64, T. Bowman.

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