AGITATION FOR COMMONAGE AT THE TEVIOT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 83, 13 June 1871, Page 5

AGITATION FOR COMMONAGE AT THE TEVIOT.

It is somewhat remarkable that the residents in the Teviot district are doing precisely what the people of Cromwell have also resolved to do, —to agitato for commonage. The following memorial speaks for itself; and it appears highly desirable that joint action should bo taken with the Teviot memorialists. It is evident that the agitation, begun in Cromwell, will not end here. To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Provincial Council of Otago, in session assembled, The petition of the undersigned residents in the District of Mount Benger, Respectfully shewetli, ' « That your petitioners desire to point out to your honourable Council the limited extent of land open for agricultural settlement, and also to the fact of there being no land in the district available as a commonage. That for years past settlement in this district has been greatly confined and retarded by reason of all the adjacent country beiug locked up under pastoral leases. That this district contains a population of not less than 1000 persons, principally engaged in mining pursuits. That in order to cncouiage permanent settlement, it is absolutely imperative that commonage should be provided in connection with all agricultural holdings. That it is estimated the amount the Government would receive from miners and others rs an assessment for grazing of cattle on runs, tlif leases of which might be cancelled, would eon siderably exceed the amount paid as rent by th< present lessees, exclusive of the large anioun which would accrue in respect of agriculture leases. - That during the past few years a number o persons possessed of means have lort the district and unless greater encouragement be given fo settlement, others are likely to follow. Your petitioners therefore pray that your he ' nourable Council may deem fit to cause the pis toral leases over the whole of rim No. ii(io, and great part of run No, 100, to be cancelled ; an thereby confer on this district advantage:] of i like nature to such as have already been confci red on Que.enstown, Lawrence, and Clyde. / nd your petitioners will ever pray, &e. (Here follow over 301) signatures )