DEPUTATION FROM WAIKOUAITI.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2110, 9 February 1870, Page 2

DEPUTATION FROM WAIKOUAITI.

A deputation appointed at a meeting of settlers in the Waikouaiti Hundred, waited on his Honor the .Superintendent at noon today, to ask for some relaxation of the Depasturing Regulations, in consequence of the peculiar character of the unsold land. The deputation Messrs Hammond, Porteous, Allan, Brunton, and Pride—were introduced by Mr James MTndoe, M.P. C. Mr Hammond said that a circular had been sent out asking answers to certain questions with regard to the number of cattle the Waikouaiti Hundred would carry, and after consideration it was thought that the Depasturing Regulations ought only to apply to the unsold portion of the Hundred. The settlers had purchased the best portion of the Hundred, and that which was unsold was very inferior, and not capable of carrying more than oneheadof greatcattleto 10 acres, which was the quantity allowed to be run on the Hundred free of assessment. In consequence of the land being so poor, cattle running on the Hundred would not leave the unfenced purchased land, as the feed was better there, and the settlers asked that they should have the privilege of running the number of cattle their land would cany free of assessment. That was one cause of dissatisfaction. Another was with regard to the protection of cattle under the present regulations. His Honor suspected the Waste Land Board should be the party to whom the application should be made in the first instance, as he only had the power of veto upon their decisions. He had simply a negative voice in the matter. Mr MTndok said his Honor scarcely apprehended the point which was, that ten acres of the land bought by the settlers would be perfectly capable of carrying two or three head of cattle. The regulations only allowed one head free of assessment per ten acres. The unsold land was only able to carry that number. The settlers in the Hundred conceded to the Government the privilege of allowing cattle to depasture on the unfcnced portion of their land. Mr Hammond : At present the greater proportion of the cattle were depasturing on private property. The unsold portion was high and rugged, and cattle seldom went up; and as they were fed on private property, the settlers thought they ought to be allowed to run more than one head to ten acres free. The Superintendent thought the 13th clause, the impounding clause, would remedy the evil complained of. Mr Hammond said that was another point the deputation wished to draw attention to. Under the old regulations Wardens were appointed, who, if they saw any one racing cattle or otherwise disturbing them, had power to take steps to prevent it. But under the new regulations he did not see what steps could be taken. The settlers were told the Government would appoint a ranger but they could not expect him to protect Hundreds, and he did not see that provision was made for any officer with authority to protect the cattle in the Hundred. His Honor would dispose of the other question first. Mr MTndoe said all that was -wanted was to have two head of cattle free instead of one. Mr Brunton read the resolution passed at the meeting. He said there were only 5,000 acres unsold, of which 4,000 were worth nothing. He thought it a hard matter that the Government would only allow one head free. Formerly they used to assess themselves 2s fid a head for depasturing and they hail half the amount to pay to the district road board. In the interest of the settlers thej'- wanted to put on a ranger themselves to look after their cattle, as the one proposed to be appointed would be occupied his whole time in riding between Dunedin and Cam am. His Honor said what was really wanted was an extension of pasturage country, and he had for that purpose had conversation with Mr Gcllihrand, the lessee of the adjoining run, who would consent to 10,000 acres being taken off it, which, under the Hundreds Regulation Act, if it were brought into operation,might ho handed over to-mor-row. Mr Gcliibrand acted very generously. What he (the Superintendent) wanted to ascertain was, whether it would pay the Go,veanment to take the land. They could get 10,000 to 15,000 acres. He thought at all events it would pay interest for the money, and probably some of the land would sell. Mr Brunton had no doubt that plenty would sell. If more land was available, they could have more cattle, and thus pay

more assessment. He believed, under the Act, half was required to be agricultural * a] jjis Honor did not consider that any objqr BRUNTON : Unless the settlers got more privilege in running cattle, they might as 'well be scut out of the countiy. His Honor said, with regard to the assessment matter, the deputation must apply to the Waste Lands Board, and if they succeeded with them, he should not disallow the arrangement. With regard to the protection of the cattle, he thought there would be no difficulty. He had signed an authority to persons recommended by District Hoad Boards, to impound cattle trespassing on the public roads, who had the same authority as a warden. He thought the office should be an honorary one. He would be glad to sign the authority at any time. , The deputation thanked Ins Honor, ana withdrew.