THE MOA FLAT SALE.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2713, 27 October 1871, Page 3

THE MOA FLAT SALE.

In a letter to the Tuapeka Times, Mr H. Bastings, M.P.G., says:—“lam met with such remarks as this ‘ Oli ! you are oue of the Liberals who persuaded us to support Mr Donald Kcid and your Liberal Ministry ! Now, I wish it to be distinctly understood that no one in this conmunity is more disgusted than I am with the cmduct of the present Government in reference to this matter ; and in my opinion if they have one spark of political honesty in their composition they will at once resign thp position, which they have gained, ip my opinion, by falgc pretences. They accepted office under the distinct promise that they would do what they could for the opening up of the lands and settling the people thereon, instead of which they sell and lock up the key to one of the finest districts in Otago. They can plead no excuse ; want of money cannot justify such an unwarrantable act; bettor let the banks do their worst than allow one man to come in and monopolise an entire district, where wc have an industrious population who have means, and are desirous of settling in the country.” Petitions praying the Assembly to prevent the contract of sale to Mr Clarke from being carried into effect, are being largely signed in the Tuapeka and Mount Danger districts ; and Mr Bastings, who is about to proceed to Wellington as delegate from the Tuapeka Railway committee, will take charge of them. From the Times wc learn that the survey of the now celebrated 50,000 block has been commenced. The surveyors cu-

gaged by Mr Clarke are performing the work for 5d an acre, so that, as shown in our leading article, be makes a profit in this item alone of L 3.250, This is the all-engrossing topic of conversation in the Mount Benger district, and a monster petition is in course of signature.