THE WAKATIP RUNS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 302, 7 February 1868, Page 3

THE WAKATIP RUNS.

(To the Editor of the Duxstan Times. ) Sir, —It must have struck even the most superficial observer who ever visited the! district included uad<_r the above heading (which contains some of the finest grass I lands in the country) that an immense j amount of wealth is being yearly lost to the country, that a groat many willing hands are kept out of work, that beef and mutton I are maintained at very high prices and the agriculturists' best interests are being trilled with, and all the callings attached to a great I national industry are paralized, because of I the fancied interests of a few "Exclusionists," who dub themselves miners, and who are raising a cry against the introduction of the very vital fluid into an almost exhausted system. I humbly hold that the miners an 1 others of the province at largo have the greatest interest in this question, if. the residents in this district cannot see it. Th" grave-like silence on the beautiful grassy slopes causes U3 to ask—ls this the work of lev slation or otherwise ? Vear after year the bountiful yield has to be burned off, in order to prevent the lonely minor losing his mountain path. Just so much wealth annually destroyed, all all this for the i xpress purpose of keeping the country for a few individuals, who, beginning with forty or fifty sheep, expect to over-run the country in two years, v.h'c'i, if they accomplish, will show that they are unjustly privileged compared with residents in other districts. The arguments used by the "choke'cm off' 1 contain in themselves the very best which could be advanced for the systematic an i business-like management of the great iuterests involved. Even now, with miles between the "cockatoo squatters," who are not minors at all, all sorts of bickerings arc of constant recurrence, such as driving their rival flocks over favorite patches (no claim or title is allowed to any one improving the pasture), and as regards the management end raising of stock there is a complete absence of protection to any person trying to improve their stock. The result must be apparent to all. Horned cattle have become dwarfel to the sizo of dogs, and as for sheep all sorts and sizes are blended together. Constant vigilance is necessary to secure one's flocks, and the loss from lambing in winter is very great. Disputes and ill blood are general, and in about five years, when the flocks increase so much, I think it extremely likely that the present flockowners might make war upon one another and life be taken. Is the present jarring way at all fitted to advance the country ? Certainly not. The horned cattle owners are at war with sheep owners. A and important duty devolves Upon the Government—to act for the benefit of the whole country, notwithstanding the exclusionists. By the runs being i leased to a company of miners, "cockatoo squatters, or others good management will at once follow. The rum, i*sS reserves, ire bound to be let to ensnie the development of national weabh, the employment of labor, and all industries connected with the wool producing interests, such as carriers, tradesmen, laborers, and shepherds besides the rednc-

tion in rates of beef and mutton all ov r the province. Let the runs be assessed, and if the Wapatip exclusionists wish the lands themselves then let them pay the said assessment, and pay the public for monopolising and keeping up the price of beef and mutton, as well as preventng employment of labor, and the check thu3 given to the best interests of the country such as the settle- 1 mentof people and investment of capital in , the at present untrodden wilds. I say let vis have good government, and ' the Wakatip district will soon advance. Let ! the exclusionists be brought to account before a public tribunal, and let a just retribution fall on those who merit it. I am, &c, A LOVER OF GOOD GOVERNMENT AND NO EXCLUSIONIST.