OTAGO.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 854, 8 October 1853, Page 3

OTAGO.

In a previous number we alluded to the meeting, held at Otago, on the 2nd August, in favour of the reduction of the price of land made by the Governor's Land Regulations. The length of the report precludes us from reprinting the speeches of those who addressed the meeting, but the resolutions, which were all passed unanimously, and which are subjoined, show that the high price and class settlement system received a heavy blow from that meeting from which it is not likely to recover. The chairman, Captain Bellairs, exhibited great ability, and made a telling speech which seems to have sorely discomfited Captain Cargill and his family compact. It is quite clear the good folk at Otago are " aye o'er canny" to pay £'2 an acre for land when there is a prospect of getting it at 10s.; to give practical effect to their wishes they should memorialise the Governor to do away with the absurd regulations established by the Otago Association, and to substitute in the Otago block the new land regulations, so that one uniform price may obtain throughout the Province. The following are the resolutions passed at the meeting : — Moved by MrM'Glashan, seconded by Mr. Mollison :— < That this meeting resolves it is imperatively necessary,, for tbe prosperity of the settlement, and to give additional inducement to immigration, that land be reduced to an upset price not exceeding 10s. por acre. Moved by Mr. D. Campbell, seconded by Mr Robertson :—: — That this meeting is of opinion, under all our present information on tbe subject, the funds arising from the land sales should be devoted to tha purposes of Immigration, and objects of public benefi'. Moved by Mr. Langlands, seconded by Mr. Williams : — That in the opinion of this meeting the selection of Emigrants ought to be made without preference of any religious class. Moved by Mr. Rennie, seconded by Mr. Langlands. That in order to provide a fund for the making and maintaining of Roads, and also to check monopoly, all land should be subjected to a road assessment. Moved by Mr. Mansford, seconded by Mr. Chalmers. That this meeting declares, that with the ex- | ception of Messrs. Todd and Rennie, it has no confidence in the candidates nominated at the last meeting of Electors, and appoints a Committee to take what steps may be necessary to bring forward candidates who will really represent the constituency, aud who will contest tbe elections.