The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Wednesday, May 27, 1863.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 8, 27 May 1863, Page 4

The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Wednesday, May 27, 1863.

Thebe are those amongst us who would " grind the face of the poor," and fatten on the refuse. The geographical position of this district makes the necessaries of life to be sold at such a price as to try the purse of every man. What is to be said then of a paternal Government that leaves us to the mercy of the monopolist ? An act has been recently perpetrated in Queenstown that should bring the blush of shame to the cheek of any one not altogether lost to the interests of humanity. The story is simple: a butcher recently purchased a calf, and ventured to sell its carcase without consulting Mr. Rees or his minions. He was immediately informed that he would not be supplied with any more meat. When we consider that Mr. Rees has the monopoly of supply on the goldfields of this district, and that when he closes his slaughter-yard he virtually deprives us of the means of living, it behoves us to speak out and say this shall not be. So long as this gentleman continued to supply us with tough beef and mutton, even at a high price, we remained silent, in the idea that time would work a cure. But when we find that one of his servants has the audacity to say to a tradesman that he will not furnish meat to his shop, because he ventures to purchase in another market, it is time to declare that his monopoly depends only on the breath of public opinion, and that his rule is at an end. The case has no parallel even in continental districts, where the government itself monopolizes the supply. Mr. Rees is a bold man. He has, however, in this instance, called public attention to a matter that might otherwise have been allowed to slumber. The time has now arrived when the tradesmen of this district must be allowed to purchase goods when and where they choose. It shall not be that a community in an English colony shall sit at the mercy of one man for the staple article of food. Mr. Rees must, for the public benefit, be deprived of his licence, if necessary. He has profited more by the influx of the diggers than the diggers have profited by him. So long as he remained useful and quiet, we were inclined to let him take advantage of the tide, and float himself on to fortune; but when he is guilty of an act that seriously affects the health and life of thousands, we declare, without hesitation, that it is time to sweep him out of the way. The people of this district shall not depend upon any one for leave to live; and we invite all who have cattle to sell, to come to this goldfield and dispose of them, and we have no hesitation in saying that the townspeople will, if necessary, guarantee the expenses of an action at law to prove the right to do so. We must be rid of Mr. Rees and his pretensions, and the interests of the public must be protected. Let the Government buy him out if necessary, and in any case let them render him harmless for the future. It is

enough that Government leaves us with roads so imperfect that every thing brought to the district is enhanced in value cent, per cent. We must speak out strongly, and decline to be ridden longer by this Old Man of the Mountain—his weight is growing unbearable.