THE WAKATIP COMMONAGE.

Evening Star, Issue 4124, 16 May 1876, Page 4

THE WAKATIP COMMONAGE.

{From the Mail.)

As to the features of this commonage sale, we note the following :—102,200 acres were leased for an annual rental of L 2,465, or •equal to a fraction over s£d per acre. This shows that too much money was not paid at the first sales of the commonage runs in March, 1873, when they brought upon an average over 8d per acre. The bidding was Spirited throughout the late sale, as will be seen- by a comparison of the reserve prices at which they were put up with what they actually brought. Run No. 10 fell to Mr Cameron, of the Nokomai, runholder, for L5lO, or close upon 8d per acre. It was attempted several times to depreciate the value of the runs by calling attention to the quantity of fencing that had to be erected, but this ** dodge "failed. The rents commence from Ist June next, and owners of stock must Remove them from the sold Commonage before July 1, • In every case the cattle owner was outbid by the sheepmen, and then in the end the competition became keen between the sheepmen themselves. L 9,500 is now annually drained from the district by these sales without any correlative Government expenditure being returned to it. Great indignation was expressed at the eule by the farmers, miners, and others. The particulars of the sale are—

The following telegraphic reply from the Premier with regard to stopping the sale of the runs has been received by Mr Mauders, M.H.R.: —“The Government have attentively considered the question of the Waka tip Runs. The conditions allowing miners to run cattle, to take. up agricultural leases and to mine seem to be very liberal, and, . without expressing an opiuion as to the expediency of letting the commonage, the Government do not see that there is any case which would justify them in adopting the extreme course of interfering with the .discretion of the Provincial Government. — .Julius Vogel.”

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY, j fc-Ameeting o£theSooietywas held yesterday ; afternoon ; present—Messrs Murisori (in the j chair), Begg, - Holmes, Maitland, Howorth, and Arthur. I On the motion of Mr Holmes, seconded j by Mr Maitland, it was agreed “That a reply be sent to the Secretary of the Auck- j land society stating that at the pre- i sent this society has no desire to at- 1 tempt to acclimatise the American salmon, as there is every reason to suppose that the acclimatisation of the British salmon in Otago will prove successful. That this society, however, will be glad to learn what is the estimated cost of a shipment of fish eggs from America; that if the cost is reasonable, this society will gladly join with Auckland in obtaining such a shipment upon the understanding that an endeavor be made to obtain for this Society from the United States (•overnment a supply of eggs of some of the best lake and other river fish other than salmon.” . Mr Begg moved, and Mr Maitland seconded, ‘ ‘ That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to proclaim an open season for coursing hares over that area comprised within the Waihola and orth Tokomalriro Hundreds.” Carried. It was agreed that the Manager be despatched to Tasmania, in order that he may procure, if possible, a supply of salmon and sea trout eggs : provided that the Tasmanian authorities consent to grant him every facility to carryout the object of such visit. It was agreed on the resolution of Mr Holmes, seconded by Mr Arthur, “That his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to impose a license fee of LI for the r ght to course hares within those districts which have been or which shall be j proclaimed open for coursing. ”

Upset Buns Price, Ho. Acres. Purchaser. Amount. £135 10 16,000 D. A. Cameron JE5i0 116 21 14,000 M'Arclell & Hodge 220 350 25 19,000 W. Paterson 320 50 26 6.000 J. • ‘Kenzie 185 30 27 4,700 R. D'lvidbon 250 80 28 9,4»H) B. Gum 280 110 29 11,000 W. •, Harrison 175 115 30 13,500 Thomas Bell 290 70 31 8.600 265