CLYDE COMMONAGE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 333, 11 September 1868, Page 3

CLYDE COMMONAGE.

(To the Editor or the Dunstan Times.) Sir, —I have waited for some ono with better logic than I am possessed of, or some one who is more " an fait" in the matter of letter-writing to address you on a grievance

under which many besides myself are laboring ; but, as it appears no one is coming to the rescue of the oppressed, I will endeavor to explain the grievance alluded to, and 1 hope for my trouble I shall have the satisfaction of seeing that some steps are taken in the right quarter towards remedying the evil.

Now, Sir, the facts of the case are these: Som6 two years ago (it may be more for aught I know) a certain area of ground in this district was set apart as a commonage for the benefit and convenience of the residents generally. Immediately after the proclamationdepasturinglicensea were taken out by every one who had either horses or cattle. The license fee was most wil : ingly paid, in acknowledgment of the benefit conferred. After a while another steps in and obtains a license for sheep. This was all right so long as the sheep were kept on the top of the hills ; but lately they are to be found strolling from one end of the commonage to the other. It is a well-known fact that cattle cannot feed where sheep are running. Such being the case, the commonage, which was considered so great a boon to the district, is comparatively useless, it being monopolised by one man. Wishing for redress, and not knowing in what quarter to seek it, I adopt this course with the hope that, as the ice is once broken, the question will be kept open till it is proved whether one man is to monopolis e the commonage that was intended to benefit one and all. If you can give me any information you will oblige, Yours, &c, CATTLE-OWNER. JPunstan, Sept. 8, 18G8.

' fWe "were informed a short time sinco that-the Government had issued instruc-•tiona-'ito the officer at Clyde to issue no moi-e depasturing licenses for the Dunstan Cqmnionage. What is meant to be done we cannot conceive ; but we sincerely hope our worst fears are not about to be realised, and the commonage again thrown into one of the adjoining runs.—Ed. D.T.]