THE WAKATIP RUNS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 312, 17 April 1868, Page 3

THE WAKATIP RUNS.

DEPUTATION TO THE SUi'ERINTENDENT.

A »l'">ntation, pnusistiugnf Shepherd, M.P.I \, Miinat, M.P.C., IIay.M.P.C, Vowel), Mallaglian, and Marnier*, waited ivton his Honor the Superintendent, on | Thursday, 'heVHh inst, to present a petition against the sale of tbeWakatip Runs. | Mr. Shnphe-d. on »<dialf of the deputa- ' tion, presented the petition, saying it was their wish that it should lie laid liefcuo the Provincial C'oimcil. j The Superintendent said that, technically, any representation as to the sale of the leases of runs slmuM lie lna'c to the Waste Lands Hoard, hut the sultjeet would, no doubt, have to como ultimately before the Provincial < 'ouncil. Mr. Manders soid tint, if the petitioners hail to do with the Waste Lands Board, they would lie properly represented ; but they rhnught they were right in first going to his Honor, as the head of the Executive. The Superintendent was afraid that his sentiments would not with those of the deputation. lie believed that the sale of the leases of these runs, with sufficient commonage reserved, would be bc.;t for the interests of all ; but it was a subject of large policy, which ought to be dealt with, not by him or the Executive, but by the representatives of the people as a whole. Mr. Brown that, if it came before the Council, the object of the petitioners would certaily be carried. Mr. Mouat thought that one great reason why the leases of these lands should not be sold was that already a great deal of land was locked up or lying idle. The Superintendent thought a great deal depended upon the terms on which the leases were sold. It would be unwise to have the land looked up for a length of time, but there might be terms by which it need not bo done. Mr. Shepherd remarked that, under the Waste Lands Act, the lands would have to be let for a fixed term, while under the Goldtields Act they could be more freely used. The Superintendent quite agreed with the deputation as to the impolicy of alienating the country for a long period of years. There was no doubt that it was already alienated too much. Mr. Brown referred to the fact that the land had been assessed, and that the stock on it was far in advance of the assessment. To lease it would be to drive the owners of that stock away, and to lose an already considerable rovenue. The Superintendent : There arc about twenty acres to the sheep. I have no doubt the carrying capacity of the land would be much extended if it were not com in on. Mr. Manders considered that it was not held a: a common, People were settling on

it, and improving it, and there were on it 30, 000 sheep—9ooo more than the assessment. Mr. Brown had no doubt that, in the course of two years, those who were now settling it, would be able to offer for the land, and a better price would be got than at present. The Superintendent thought that, if the decision should be in favor of selling the leases, the areas should be very much reduced compared with what was intended ; and, whatever the tenure might be, there should be provision for re-entry on the whole or a portion. The Government did not propose to place them at all in the same position as the existing runs, and he did not think that the selling of the leases would interfere with free selection. Mr. Shepherd : If you grant leases it will place the country in the same position as the otker_runs. Mr. Manders : That is the opinion of the people. The Superintendent : That is not my opinion at all, neither will I be a party to it. Some further explanatory conversation then ensued, after which the deputation thanked his Honor and withdrew.