South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Wednesday 11 July 1894, page 6


VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

TO THE KU1TOB.

Sir— Although I am not actually one of tbe village settlers at Mount Remarkable I live adjacent to them— they are quite my nearest neighbours. I take an intense interest in the

movement, and have so far identified myself with them that I am sure they will allow me to spesk for them. Moreover, I was tbe first to call Attention at Port Augueta to their need of outside help tu enable them to have a fair chance of success. It seems, therefore, inoumbent on me to answer the enquiries of 'Cautious' from Port AugUBta in your issue of Monday, June 25, and to explain the object ana needs of the settlement. It eo happontd that while I was at Port Augusta Mrs. Goode and Miss Adamson, representing tho Villago Settlements Aid Society, arrived on the same mission. The matter was taken up very heartily and generously, and it was decided that as the Mount Remarkable settlement was the nearest tbe interest at Port Augusta should be concentrated here, on the principle that charity begins at home. I must tiret n:entson that the appeal to tbe public in no way comes from tbe settlers themselves. Taking them altogether, they are an industrious and intelligent set of people, who are making a brave attempt on a small scale to solve the most serious problem of the dny, viz., how, m aland of plenty, capable and industrious people are to find employment aud live; and moit of them, I know, have so much ni&nly self - respect and indepc-ndenco of spirit that they would rather go hungry than beg. At the same time it is necessary that the horse ehould be fed whilo thu grass is growing or he will starve, and it is the duty of all who consider, uot only the welfare of their f()!lo',v-rnen, but their own ultimate good, to do what they win to give such experiments a fair chance of success. 1 believe they scarcely touch tha curfaee of the problem we must all face, and which may take years to solve; but uieauwliilc men muet act— they cannot stand still aud quietly fee their wives and children starve — aud good will come out of thtse efforts if they only cause peopln to think, and pruva what they aro made of. The settlemenJ f(iaiji»t8 of about forty mon, many of whom aro ekilful tradesmen— oarpenters, builders, blacksmiths, mechanics, farmers, ic. These with their wires and families number about 150 peopie. 1. The object of tha Association is 'the formation or a settlement ou a cooperative btisis, and for carrying on such trades and industries m the Board of Trustees may ajiprovo of, subject to the provisions of Part VII. of the Crown Lands Amendment Aot, lS'J'.i, and the acquisition of Crown lands for euch purpose, whereby homes for the members and their families may bo secured.' 2. The affairs tire managed by a Board of stveu Trustees (all working members), who are eleoted by members of the Aesociation. The lato Chairmau (Mr. Wilton Hack) has been obliged, owing to ill-health and otherc&usps, to leave the settlement, and a new Board will be elected iu a lew day*. 3. Thi-y have a thousand acres of land, bnt not all fit for cultivation — only a hundred is yet cleared. They havo not yet begun building houses ; but tho work generally is progreasing— brick making, sawing timber, constructing a large sawmill, fencing, clearing, ploughing, -.vell-digging, and dam-making, &o. The work is inspected by the Government, which advances money upon it to the extent of 50 per cent, upon the value of improvements. Boyond this they have nothing to depend on to carry them on except voluntary contribution?. Of course the outlay to start them was considerable, and it will be some time before their work is remmienuivc. At present they are at a low ebb, nnd live and work on very meagre fare, yet they work hopefully, aud although troubles sometimes arise with regard to the management of thi; Association, which must ba expected until they are fait ly settled down to tho life, it is ntldom that a complaint is heard of the hardships. It was hoped that they mijjht find employment fur their skilled labour in the distriot to help thtm on, but times are too bad lot that. If the Port Augusta peoplb or others wish to know moro of tho working of the Association and the individuals composing it, the beet plan would be to form ft party and pay us a visit, and I am sure it will will b« heartily welcomed. I nm. Sir, itc, THE INCUMBENT OF MELROSE. June 20. ,