A SETTLER’S VIEW OF THE JACKSON’S BAY SETTLEMENT.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 526, 24 February 1876, Page 3

A SETTLER’S VIEW OF THE JACKSON’S BAY SETTLEMENT.

(West Coast Times.') One of the oldest settlers in Jackson’s Bay, and one who intends to locate himself and family permanently at the settlement, points out several circumstances which are, in his opinion, drawbacks to the prosperity of the settlers. In the first place he believes that, instead of fixing the settlement on the Arawata Flat, which, as its name implies, is low-lying, and which possesses a swampy sandy soil, Smoothwater, which Mr Browning originally traversed, would have been far better adapted for the purpose of the settlement. Smoothwater is now being surveyed in fifty-acre blocks, and it is likely that most of the better class of settlers will take up land in that locality. But the two grievances of which the settlers especially complain are want of communication, and the high rates charged for provisions. Although at first sight it would appear that [the Maori and Waipara would supply communication ample enough, our correspondent wishes it to be borne in mind that the Maori calls at Jackson’s Bay ouceiu two months from Hokitika, as every alter-

nate month she calls at the Bay on her way to Hokitika. Under such circumstances the fitful communication kept up by the Waipara is not sufficient for the wants of the settlers, who on occasions suffer much inconvenience, and have been once or twice put to great straits in consequence. The prices charged for stores are, our respondent affirms, exorbitant. One or two articles, such as candles and matches, of which there is small consumption, are sold cheap, but for flour, sugar, tea, potatoes and, other necessaries, the charges made are such as simply to forbid all hope of the poorer settlers ever getting rid of the burden of debt they owe to the Government storekeeper. He suggests that, were stores obtained from Dunedin by the Maori, as they might be at one-third the present cost, there would be a chance for settlers to save a few shillings, and to gradually improve their condition. Unless they have this opportunity they will be utterly precluded from buying pigs or other stock to consume their spare crops, for which there can be, for some time to come, no market. It might possibly prove payable to the settlers to send away dairy produce or bacon, but it would require far too much labour in clearing land, to make the export of oats or grain remunerative. The complaints respecting the high charge for stores are general, and unless a remedy be speedily applied, they will become louder. Until supplies can be got at reasonable rates, discontent must prevail, for at present settlers cannot save a penny ; on the contrary they are drifting into debt, and hence are becoming hopeless of a better future. Such are a settler’s statements. They are worthy of attention on the part of the authorities, with a view to ascertaining whether provisions are so exceptionally high as represented, and the proper remedy, if the statement is substantiated. As would be seen from the correspondence already published, the Government is desirous of relinquishing the at first necessary duty of providing stores, leaving the same to the ordinary course of trade, in which cheapness is obtained by competition.