17

H.—9

Mr. Edmunds. —Lastly, we wish to call particular attention to the letters from Mr. George Edmunds, which we consider of importance, from the fact that he contemplates settlement on a considerable scale at Jackson's Bay, and that his views are based on a minute aud careful personal inspection of every part of the block during a stay of somo weeks. Mr. Edmunds says, " The chief of all wants is a wharf. In fact, the Bay is next to useless without a wharf." And again he says, " Referring to saw-mills, I could not advise any party to come to the Bay unless there were some better means than at present of getting the timber away from the various rivers. I think, if a wharf were built, another mill might bo erected, when no doubt a small steamer would find profitable employment." In addition to all this information, we may mention that the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Hokitika has had an application for information respecting Jackson's Bay aud the adjacent rivers from another person who is desirous of establishing a saw-mill, and settling several families on the land. In reinforcement of the reasons which have already been given for the construction of the wharf, may be considered those features that show that the special-settlement block is well adapted for settlement, and that the setting on foot of the timber industiy would very soon be followed by the making of permanent and comfortable homes, as well as by the utilizing of a port which would be, without exaggeration, of much value to the colony. From this point of view, the land and the harbour deserve attentive consideration. Land. —The land has had its detractors, who have represented it as good for little or nothing. In answer to this we will a«;ain quote Mr. Edmunds. " I have always been," he sa3-s, " a warm advocate of settlement at Jackson's Bay, but I had no idea that the greater portion of the land was so good. To my mind there is no question of the ultimate success of the district. Any way, I think so much of it, after a two months' residence here, listening continually to the croaking of its strangely iil-adapted population, their real or fancied grievances, aud their innumerable wants, that I shall still endeavour to obtain land to settle on, and to induce men suitable to the occasion to settle here also." Upon this subject we may refer to the Chief Surveyor's remarks in his report already mentioned. To his opinion wo add our own decided testimony, and if any more corroboration wero required it would be found in the fact that some of tho settlers are making good progress with their land, and are desirous of keeping it, which would not be the case if they had not a good opinion of its quality. Harbour. —We shall not dwell at any length upon the attempt to prove the excellence of tho anchorage at Jackson's Bay, because we are satisfied that the more the matter is inquired into the less possible will it be for ignorance, prejudice, or timidity to obscure the truth upon this question. AYe content ourselves with a reference to tho report of the Chief Harbourmaster for Westlund, dated Bth December, 1874, and to his evidence given before us, as well as to Mr. Mueller's remarks in tho paper before quoted. The result of all investigation seems to be that Jackson's Bay offers a good and safe shelter to vessels of all sizes at all times of the year and in all weathers. The only question that has ever arisen, so far as we know, is as to the probable efl'ect of a north-east gale, that being the only quarter concerning which any apprehension need be entertained. Upon this point Captain Turnbull says, "I have not experienced any gale of wind there that would endanger a vessel in the bay —no ordinary gale would do so. I do not think any wind comes in there which would, with proper precaution, drive a vessel ashore." Vessels have been known to lie there safely for months at a time. Quite recently the " Mary Ann Dcnison " lay there for six weeks, during which time there were some strong northerly gales; and, lastly, during our own three weeks' stay at the Bay, the "Stella" experienced some considerable gales from the reputedly dangerous quarter. We think that Captain McKersie might be asked to report his experience aud give his opinion on the subject. We think then that, looking upon the harbour as a possession of colouial importance, and the only good harbour on the coast, as Mr. Bonar says in his evidence, from which a readily-available outlet exists through the ranges which separate the West Coast from the rest of the Island; taking into consideration the excellence of tho land, which will invite aud maintain a permanent population of agricultural settlers ; and, lastly, having regard to the timber trade, which only requires ordinary facilities for shipment to enable it to spring up and flourish, we have shown a strong case for the construction of a wharf. Conditions of Settlement. —Our next recommendation has relation to the conditions of settlement, which much require to be revised, put upon a better footing, and legalized. By tho lapse of time and the repeal of Statutes it became impossible to legalize the conditions which had been acied upon, but power to remedy this was given by ''The Volunteers and Others Land Act, 1877," section 4. Suitable regulations would doubtless have been drafted and gazetted before this time, but, the appointment of the Commission of Inquiry being monthly or weekly expected, it was thought better to defer any action until after the report. Our recommendations upon this subject will be brief, and confined to leading principles. Tho first tiling is to take immediate steps to ascertain definitely who of the special settlers have forfeited their land, with the view of taking some such action as provided by clause 6. By this means the business will' be greatly simplified by the elimination of a iarge number or' persons, and their holdings will be capable of being dealt with. The surplus, if any, coming to these persons under clause 6 might or might not be set either in whole or in part against their store debts, according as the circumstances and equity of each case might seem to require. In order to carry out the above recommendation without harshness to any, we think it would be desirable to fix a day after which all holdings, of which the conditions should not have been complied with, should be declared forfeited, unless application bo made on or before that day, showing reasons to the contrary. Such notice should refer to those concerning whom there may be a leasonable doubt whether they have definitely abandoned their holdings. Some are, beyond all question, so abandoned, and the proper steps might be taken at once in respect of them. Transfers. —It will be found that some of those who have given up their holdings have transferred thc'i- interests to other persons. It seems very questionable whether this can be recognized. Not only is it directly contrary to the spirit of the conditions, but it opens the door to much abuse by providing persons, who think well enough of the place to be desirous of acquiring land there, with a direct motive 3—H. 9.