CONCERNING THE OTAGO RUNS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1037, 23 December 1881, Page 3

CONCERNING THE OTAGO RUNS.

The meeting convened by Mr V Pyke, meodier for the Ounstan, of the Otago members of the House of Representatives was held at Watson’s Hotel, I ‘nuediu, on Tuesday last. Fourteen irm' ers were present, and Mr Pyke win was voted to the chair, explained at someleugih the nc ion taken by a Commi tec of the House during last session on the question of deal ng with the, pastoral la.ide of the country on the present leas' a falling due, and o» the action of (ho Government in projiosing so sell the leases in February next, which was in effect Hie ignoring of the undeistanding c mio to by ihe Committee of the Him e. The understanding being that aim ndments weie required in the Land Act, that the Govern meatduring llie recess would c msid-T what amendments were necessary, ami that any tlirect ac-imi regarding the runs would he suspended until the new Parliament had had an opportunity of dealing with the matter. He said he did not w’sh to takh any action the meeting might consider political, but ho thought it was sirardj their duty to see that the magnificeat estate was not dea't with in a way opposed to the interest of the community. Mr Pyke then read extracts from Ictt-rs from Messrs Macamlrew, Ballance an t Bastings, confirmatory of his statement as to Hie understanding arrived at. Mr Shrimski, who was present, con firmed what had lieen said.

Messrs Driver, J. C. Brown, Bathgate, Fish, Breen, Barron, ami others having spoken, the following resolutions were adopted; —Mr Driver moved, Mr J. C Brown seconded—“ That in view ol the magnitude of the iute es a involved, it is. in the opinion of this meeting, high y de sirahle that all action in relation to the dealing with the pastoral leases which ex pire in March, 18S3, should he suspended until the newly elected Fur i.om-nt h.ue had an opportunity of consi 'ering the mode of disposing of the ta ids offected.” Mr Bathgate proposed, Mr Sliri.ttskt seconded—‘"That, to prevent any injmy accruing to the present lessees lv, reason 01 such siiS[>ension, they should 1 e ••tiered a renewal of their leasts fora tin tier period of one year on existing tetnis, su' jcet to the condition that any lane, required for sale or settlement as deferred-payment agricultural blocks, agricuiiural lease blocks, or deferred-payment pastoral blocks, may be taken for such purposes after March 18S3, without compensation ”

Air Bracken moved—“ Tha 1 -. the foregoing resolutions be trausmitte 1 10 the M mister of Crown Lands, with a request that he will cause effect to be given to the same.” Mr Daniels seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimous y.

Mr MacKetizie asked if it would be necessary Intake other steps if the Cove:mneiu did not set on the resolutions, to which the Chairman rcp.iel in the affirmative. The resolutions were then eigii-d by Messrs Bracken, M. W. Breen, Barron, Bathgate, Seaton, Pyko MaeKenzte. Daniels, Driver, Brown, Duncan, at;l Shrimski.

The Chairman mentioned that six other gentlemen who had been made acquainted with the resolutions to ho proposed were prepared to sign them. This ended th- business.