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Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 368, 14 May 1856, Page 6

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times.

Sir, — The proposal of Mr. Bray in the Provincial Council, to snuff out the pre-emptive rights, at the trifling cost to the Province of 20,0C0 acres of land, or £40,000, must surely be a juke on the part of that gentleman.

The public, sir, is proverbially gullible,—but Mr. B. and his supporters must have over estimated even its swallowing capabilities, before they could venture to propose such a pill. Did they hope to smuggle it down before the patient was aware of it? If so, assuredly they have reckoned without their host. The public is both awake to and aware of the wholesale robbery they are attempting to perpetrate on the Province, and as determined, if possible, .to prevent it. Do th.ej, after talking until they have convinced each other, mistake their own disinterested convictions for public opinion ? If they would but venture out of the "pre-emptive right circle" they would speedily be disabused of such an idea.

In my own neighbourhood, I know that the said pre-emptive rights are looked on as an intolerable nuisance, — to be got rid of on any terms not unfair.

Not less is Mr. Bray's bold attempt at getting hold of 20,000 acres of the choicest land of the Province (worth probably at present, if put up to auction* £b per acre all round), considered an insult to the common sense of the people at large. The proposal of the Provincial Secretary to let the pre-emptive rights remain as they are— might do (as it is, he is too liberal to these grasping gentlemen), if he would but insist on each individual right dying out, as the land it at present covers is bought up. As for compensation, surely, the permitting them to buy land at £2 per acre, which they only covenanted to buy at £3, and in 20 acre blacks, when originally they could not buy less than 50 acres, might satisfy even Messrs. Bray & Co.

The vital importance of the principle at stake, and the necessity there exists for the most extended expression possible of public opinion, must be my apology lor trespassing so far on your valuable space ; bull hope and trust, that, on such an emergency us the present, no person and no locality will be backward in protesting against any such insiduous appropriation of Lands which we believe to be the rightful property of the Province at large. , I am, Sir, \ Your obedient servant, Country District. May 7th, 1856.