The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 1st, 1881.

Dunstan Times, Issue 989, 1 April 1881, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, APRIL Ist, 1881.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just The pen is mightier than the sword,

The notification of Mr Rees, manager of Galloway runs, that proceedings will be taken against all persons illegally depasturing, driving or removing rattle or sheep from off the runs without further notice, at first blush may appear harsh and arbitrary, an I as if it was the purpose and intent of the pastoral lessees to oppose settlement by withdrawing the privilege hitherto enjoyed of running a few head of horses or cattle on the runs. That such is not the case we have every reason to know ; in fact, we can safely say that had the farmers and other settlers acted reasonably with regard to depasturing on the runs no such action, at all events by Mr Rees, would have been threatened. In no way in extenuation or excuse, Mr Rees informs us that he is driven to desperate action by the farmers in Ida Valley, who, not content with keeping and depasturing off the station grass herds of cattle, have now gone into the sheep business, and that as the carrying capacity of the runs is materially affected hy the myriads of rabbits, the drought, and other o inses, and he is impelled in self protection to take action. As an evidence of the rabbit pest, ho says that within the past ten months 130,000 havo been killed cn the run. It is not within our province, nor do we intend at this stage to speak as to the justice or injustice of the action of either side ; we cannot but regret that anything should have cropped up to interfere with the good relations that ought to exist between neighbors. Every evil, though, has its concomitant good, and out of the notification under review, evil and all as it may appear to some, great good may come. At all events it will tend to hasten on the questions that are now agitating the minds of many' people—“ the cutting up the runs” and the “setting aside depasturing areas ” as commonages for the people, and thus do good. We are not in the secrets of the Ida Valley fanners, therefore we cannot say if the running of sheep by them is a premeditated act, and an expression of their disgust at the action of the Government in refusing to proclaim the unoccupied sections within the agricultural blocks in Ida Valley as free grass lands, or in other words a hundred, though it was strongly recommended by the Waste Lands Board. We shall bo sorry- if such is the case. Their plan would havo been not to take the law in their own hands, as no class of offender receives less sympathy or consideration,but to havo persevered in their agitation and enlisted the sympathies of their neighbors and the assistance of their member. To adopt that course is not now too late, and we hope it will be, taken, and in the meantime all cause of ii'igatiou and trouble removed from the runs. An united and respectful yet determined appeal to the Government through their member must have its effect, and we strongly urge its adoption