Meeting, Etc.

Dunstan Times, Issue 999, 10 June 1881, Page 2

Meeting, Etc.

CENTRAL OTAGO LAND LEAGUE. A meeting of the Olyrle branch of tlio above League waa iioid iu lliu Town flail, Clyde, last Monday, at 7 p.m. Present— Messrs Welsfor l (Chairman), M‘Arthur, Sims, Kellelier, Holt, Holden, ami Facile (Secretary). Mr M'Giunis, of the Alexandra branch, was also in attondanco. THE MEMORIAL. The memorial engrossed was laid on the table ; and, after being read, it was finally adopted and signed by those present. Instructions were also issued to the Secretary to obtain the signatures of the other members of the Committee to the memorial. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Facho said another matter that should receive the attention of thejLeaauo waa in the taking of action towards having the runs falling in in tho Manuhorikia Valley classilied. Ho said that to get this done was by memorialising tho Waste Lands Board ; and explained that, when Messrs Clark and Green, the members of the Board, were in Clyde a few days ago, they promised to support from their seats any such memorial, if s n nt in. Ho would propose-“ That tho Waste Lands Board ire memorialised to take immediate steps for the sub-division and classification of tho following runs : No. 221 (Moutere), No. 22,‘1 (Matakanui), No. 244 (Blacks), No. 2GI (Ida Valley), and No. 249 (Karnscleugh) ; such memorial to bo submitted to a public meeting to be held at Clyde on a day to be appointed ; and that copies of tho memorial bo sent to tho Alexandra, Blacks, and Tinkers branches of the Laud League for their approval and support. The resolution was seconded by Mr Sims, and carried. Tho mooting then separated.

A meeting of tho members of the Alexandra branch of the Central Otago Land League was hold at Alexandra last Tuesday evening. Amongst others in attendance, we noticed Messrs Simmouds (in thochuir), Hirers, and Forrest (Secretary). Mr V. Fyke was also present. RE THE RUNS, ETC. After some formal business had been transacted, Mr Pyko said ho would like to say a few words to the members comprising the Alexandra Committee. Ho said ho looked upon the branches of the Land League as permanent institutions. They must not become defunct, but must be kept alivo so long as the run holders were antagonistic to the interests of the working man. More especially must the branches bo kept in an active atato during the coming session of Parliament, and must keep themselves in constant communication with their member; and the main objects for which the Central Otago Land League was instituted must bo attained this session, or not at all. The speaker wont on to say that at the conference held at Clyde recently many of those present were not delegates. At this conference a memorial was adopted for the Clyde, Tinkers, and Blacks branches, and a copy of it was sent to the Cromwell branch, and they replied that they would draw up a memorial for themselves ; but they could not agree on tho question—not as to the cutting up of tiro runs, but as to tlv form tho memorial should take. IBs (Mr Fyke's) wish was to have a memorial from each branch of tho League, to show to the Minister of Lands, which would havo more weight with him than one for tho whole of the branches would. One of tho effects of the present agitation had been to stir up the Dunedin Waste Lands Board, winch body had instructed two of its members (Messrs Clark and Green) to inspect tho land north of Cromwell, and report as to tho best means of disposing of tho land. They had classified tho land into three zones ; and promised their support to any memoriaUthat should lie sent to the Board on the subject. Tho speaker dwelt at some 1 ngth upon several other minor subjects, and also pointed out that if the Alexandra people petitioned the Board to throw open the Manuherikia Valley, they must notask for too much or too little, but (must take a middle course, or they would not get anything.

Mr Pyke thou read to the meeting a copy of the resolution posed at Clyde on Monday, in which certain runs were requested to be classified ; whereupon Mr llivers wanted to know why Galloway Run, No. 2G2, had been omitted from the resolution passed. It was within the jurisdiction of the Clyde branch, and ho failed to see why it had been left out. It would not be fair to leave all the work for the Alexandra branch to transact.

Mr Pyke satisfactorily explained the matter, and sahl that, out of delicacy to the Alexandra branch, the matter had been loft to their discretion.

It was then proposed, seconded, and carried item, con.- “That Run No. 262 should bo inserted in the Alexandra petition, and that the Clyde branch be requested add it to their petition.” Speaking of tire agricultural leases ami deferred-payment systems, ilr Pyke said ho thought that the manner in which the Act was now carried out was injurious to tile country. In fact, it was arbitrary it a man took up a few acres of land that he should bo compelled to reside upon it. None of those present could afford to do so, for the simple reason that each of them had their vocations to attend to and guard. None but those who wore in every way man who had money, and who was prepared to squat down on it at once, could afford to take up 320 acres of land and comply with the stringent clauses of the Act. Mr Rivers said ho thought there was benefit in both systems. Hearty votes of thanks to the Chairman and to Mr Pyke for his able address terminated the proceedings of a most unanimous meeting.