Preface.

MR Hamilton is a settler of thirty-five years' experience, and has been owner of one of the largest stations (Mangatoro) in this district for over thirty years. He was by many years the first settler in the district. Mr Hamilton has been President of the Farmers' Club since its formation some years ago. He has so far not mixed in politics on either side, and it was made one of the conditions on the formation of the Club that party politics were not to be introduced at the meetings, the object being to induce as many settlers to join as possible, to aid in the discussion of subjects of interest to farmers and country settlers, and to work in the direction of combined action on the part of farmers in all parts of the Colony. The Club now numbers some seventy members, and has already done some useful local work, such as bringing about the establishment of the Woodville Freezing Works, Woodville Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Bam Fair, &c. Mr Hamilton is a popular man. Besides being President of the Farmers' Club, he has been President of the Woodville District Jockey Club since its formation, about twelve years ago. He has also been President of other Jockey Clubs, Acclimatisation Societies, and many similar bodies; was twenty years ago the first to introduce trout into the local rivers—a keen sportsman with rod and gun—but has steered clear of introducing anything doubtful. His experiences in this country are those of a thoroughly practical pioneer settler, and he has also had some years' travel and residence in many foreign countries. Some of this large and varied experience is included in the following address, which was reported at the time in The Examiner, and is now again published in this form, in the hope of attracting a wider and more general attention to the subjects, which are of such vital interest to the country settler, to the working man, and to the progress and prosperity of this country and of its people generally. The address has already attracted a good deal of attention from all classes. This will be seen from letters introduced.

The Editor.