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Dunstan Times, Issue 603, 7 November 1873, Page 2

Ouu Wakatip contemporary is exceeding wrath at our comments, in a late issue, on the sale of the runs qnest.ou, and devotes nearly two columns of at-use in replying to our article. Whether wc are a self-elected seer or not—as he pleases to designate us—is a matter for our readers j but, at all events we can wi.h common sense, and calmly review a snbj-ct from a disinterested p> int of view. We tire not personally interested eitlnr f>r m agtiiu-i the sale of the leases o! small runs in the Wakatip or Ttmpeha dis tricts ; but we re.tl'y do b ■ i. ve that, with sufficient reserves for d - pasturing great cattle upon, as intended to be lelt 1 y the Provincial Government, their sale is the most, equitable course the authorities can pursue. I he pa; ment of 8,500/. 'o Sir. ilees, of the Kawarau I 1 alls Sailion, for the cancellation of Lis lease over one hundred and fifty thousand acres, did not c miprise but a very small proportion of what, is known as the Wakatip Huns. The nnjnityof these runs were all unoccupied country, and ritnained so until stocked wi hj sheep by their present holders, who did so at their own risk and cost.

These people, as a matter of course, are entitled to some consideration, and every facility should he given them to purchase a lease if possible; while, should they fail to do so, at least twelve months should be allowed foi the removal of their stock. To thii much they are entitled, as being the lirst to occupy the country. Until within the laVt two years these sheepowners kept their flocks within reasonable bounds, and interfered with nobody , but, ita wool lOntiiiUGil to I'ioi in price, the number of sheep depastured has ha- been so increased that those once small flock-owners have developed into ostensible squa'ters; «nd, although they do not actua ly forbid a miner or farmer to depasture his cattle upon the hil -ides, have so over-run the commonage chat there i- not a blade ol grass a beast can get to ear, unless it be tussockor spear-grass, while ihey have apportioned. the country soagreeab'y nion. hem-elvc- that 'hoy arc de facto it he pos-es-ion of runs. T > this w< have no objec'ion ; but surely thcsi holdings or runs are worth some rent. The miner pays for any land lie occupies. also does the fanner, the s mat er, and everyone else who otcupie drown lauds; and, as a matter 01 common justice to the community at 'urge flock owners ot. rhe GoM-fleld: should not be exempt The leasing of pastoral •’ountry in .-.nvdl run-will be an experiment with tijiuc, am is bkely to he of considerably mo ■ advantage to the occupa rs than th pres' nt indi criminate coiumonagi Having a lease of the country oci u p : ed, they can make imptovi meat; for \\hichc >mpe'U.-atio:i must he mule, win e their flocks will acquire a valui which otherwise they never can possess. With snllicient reserves for depasturing the gre,r cattle of miners, f.irmeis, and other residents, there can hello pos ible va.id o j ctionu hj fever I to ihe leasing of small sheep runs t.pon or adjacent to the Gold-fie ds. •Nothing can he worse or more tinsatisfacoiy than the present chaotic S'ate of tlie Wakatip and '1 uapek • commonages.