DUNSTAN COMMONAGE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 428, 1 July 1870, Page 3

DUNSTAN COMMONAGE.

A public meeting was held at Hawthorne’s Clyde Hotel on Saturday evening last, the 25th ult., for the purpose of electing a committee, or board oft Wardens, for the Dunstan commonage.

About twenty persons were present.

Mr. M'Connoehie, who was in the chair, said the manner in which the Dunstan Commonage was being managed (or mismanaged) had for a long -time been commented upon, and he w'as highly pleased that action to alter the state of affairs was at length taken. Ho was not aware at whose instigation the meeting was called, and he was completely in the dark as to what course it was proposed to adopt, but it was desirable that something should be done whereby the owners of cattle Would be compelled to pay the assessment.

Mr. Fache said he had called the meeting, and that he was led to do so in consequence of a conversation he had had with Mr. Joseph Mackey, the Inspector of Depasturing Districts. The substance of that conversation was that it was necessary to appoint a Committee of Management of the commonage, to define the boundaries, and to draw up a code of rules, whereby it would be compulsory on all cattle owners to pay the assessment. Mr. Mackay then named several gentlemen, and remarked they might form themselves into a committee for the purpose named. Mr. Fache then explained that as he considered it questionable if the gentlemen named could be got to act for the purpose, he deemed it the better course to convene the present meeting, so that one and all interested might have a Voice in the election of the Committee!

Mr. Feraud said he understood from Mr. Mackay that a Committee had been appointed by him, consequently the present meeting had no power. He looked upon the meeting as a hole and corner arrangement. He further said there was no question but that it was incumbent on the people of the District to place the commonage under the supervision of a hoard of some kind, in order that the farmers and those people who paid assessment should be protected. He might say he had taken the initiative in the matter by memorializing his Honor the Superintendent to create a pound for the district. About one hundred and twenty signatures had been obtained, and if the prayer of the memorial was granted he thought nothing further was wanted, as the pound-keeper would see that the whole of the fees were paid. Mr. Hazlett said; the mere mentioning of certain names did not constitute a Committee, and after the explanation given by Mr. Fache, thought the meeting had power however as there was but a small attendance, possibly through the short notice given, would suggest a postponement until such time that Mr. Mackay might be present. The commonage at the present time was more harm than good, and until it was placed under the control of either the Municipality or a committee it would remain so, the Government had refused to endow the Municipality with the commonage, but he thought if a Memorial, praying for it and signed by everyone interested, was presented to his Honor the Superintendent, it would be granted. Messrs Welsford, Beck, Grindley, EameS and several other gentlemen addressed the meeting, after which it was resolved on the motion of Mr, Hazlett, seconded by Mr Feraud—That a meeting be called for Tuesday the 12th July, for the purpose of placing the Dunstan Commonage under proper control.

Mr. Fache was appointed Secretary, and and was instructed to write to Mr. Mackay informing him of the meeting, and request his attendance:

A subscription list was opened in the room to defray preliminary expenses, The meeting then separated, with a vote of thanks to the Chair-