OTEKAIKE ESTATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 40

OTEKAIKE ESTATE.

THE CASE OF M'KELLAPv AND MITCHELL.

Exception has been taken to certain statements made by a northern contemporary lecently in connection with die protests made against the prefeience accorded Mes«rs Mitchell and M'Kellar with reference to their application for sections on the Otekaike estate, and the opinion of the Solicitor-geneial which led to the deceslon that the matter should be reconsidered. The statements w-ere to the effect that neither Messrs Mitchell and M'Kellar had been an employee at Otekaike, but that Mr Mitchell wa> formerly in the eruplov of Robert,Campboll and So^is at Station Peak, and when the company sub-tinkled that property some years ago he purchased part of it. The enterprise, it was stated, did not prove profitable, and he returned to the employ of Campbell and Sons as manager of the Burwood run, and -when the lease of this expired and no renewal was sought, his occupation, was reduced to the management or a small freehold at Mararoa, and a small education leasehold, with both of which the company parted at about the same time -that, Otekaike was acquired by the Government. Sinoe leaving the High School he had been a clerk on the balance of Station Peak, still held by Robert Campbell and Sons.

In contradiction of the above statements the following particulars were supplied by a reliable authority to a Daily Times representative on the 11th : Mr Mitchell was never employed at Station Peak in any capacity whatever, and the whole story of his supposed connection with Station Peak is a figment of the imagination. Mv Mitchell was agricultural manager of Waikakahi for the late Mr A. M'Lean. after which he went to the North Inland, and returned south in the boom time, and took up a small grazing run in South Canterbury. This enterprise was spoilt by the snows in 1895, and he then became manager for Mr Donald M'Pherson, of Strowan. When that property was sold Mr Mitchell was employed by Messrs Campbell and Sons in 1899 to take charge of their Burwood property, where he remained till it was sold on July 4. 1907. The Mararoa freehold was a small pi eemptive right of 92 acres, which was sold in April, 1906.

Hugh M'Kellar came to Bonmore as a shepherd in May, 1900. and thence went to Station Peak in the <amp capacity in October, 1901. While at f-tation Peak he was made station clerk in August. 1902. As there would seem to be a little doubt as to the standing of a station clerk, it may be mentioned that he holds a footing similar to that of a sub-manager in a city business establishment. On August 2. 1905. Mr M'Kellar was transferred to Otekaike. where he was connected with the general working of the company with a view to his employment in a higher capacity. It is contended that Mr M'Kellar's term of employment was abruptly terminated by the acquisition of the Otekaike estate by the Government. Mr M'Kellar was 17 years old when he entered the sen ice of the company, and 24 when he left it.

Mr Mitchell, we understand, has waited since August, believing he would enter into possession, and consequently has not bestirred himself on his own behalf in any oiher direction. He his also been put to considerable incomemence and expense for travelling-, and under other heads.