LONG BUSH.

Southland Times, Issue 983, 10 July 1868, Page 2

LONG BUSH.

(FBOM OTJB EA.STEBH", DISTBICT COBBESPONDENT.) A public meeting, convened by TV Swale Esq., M.P.C., was held at the Long Bush Schoolhouse, on Saturday, 4th July. The object of the meeting was pretty generally known beforehand, aB at a previous meeting held to elect a School Committee, Mr Swale gave notice that he had received a circular from His Honor the Superintendent, in reference to the prevalence of pleuro-pneumdnia in the Province, and expressing a desire that he (Mr Swale) should by public meeting or otherwise learn the opinion of the settlers in the district, as to the beat mode of suppressing this most virulent disease. Several settlers most interested in the matter met at the appointed time, but the attendance, was leßa than might have been anticipated from the importance of the subject to be discussed. Mr Swale was called upon to preside. He observed that His Honor's circular would sufficiently explain the object for which they were called together. He then read the letter, commenting on each clause as lie proceeded. It contained the outline of of a bill, which His Honor proposes to submit to the Council at its next sitting, to empower the Government to take measures to eradicate the disease which at present spreads its ravages over a large area of the Province. The proposed bill is analagous to the Sheep. Ordinance at present in force. Inspectors are to be appointed by the Government with authority to destroy cattle affected with pleuro-pneumonia, and, as Mr Swale explained, the intentions of the Executive are to indemnify the owners of the cattle destroyed to a certain extent. To meet this an assessment of 6d per head, or thereabouts, on all the cattle in the Province is to b 9 raised to defray expenses. A Cattle Board is to be appointed, consisting of a member from each of the Hundreds, elected by depasturing licenseholders, to carry the provisions of the ordinance into effect. The circular was somewhat more explicit of the views of the Government, but the above are the principal points. After some desultory conversation, Mr Ross moved, that in the opinion of this meeting, the propositions of His Honor the Superintendent are urgently required, with the following amendment, yiz.. — "That not license-holders, but the assessed iv each Hundred, should vote at the election of a member for the Cattle Board." Mr M'Phee seconded, and the motion was agreed to. Moved by 'MxJEtog- _™^aodr-DYTEP -ijrown^^^-^lTiat in the opinion of this meeting the Cattle Board should have power (subject to the approval of the Government) to appoint and dismiss inspectors when considered necessary." Moved by Mr Geo. Dawson— "That in the opinion of this meeting the importation of cattle in the present state of the Province, is unnecessary, and that the ports of the province should forthwith be closed against such importation.' Mr A. Christie; seconded, and the motion was agreed to. Mr Dawson moved — "That in the opinion of this meeting it is unjust that the Government should require settlers to take out a depasturing license, in disricts where : there are no Crown Lands available for depasturing ; purposes." This motion was seconded, and received with a hearty concurrence, as it touched upon a local grievance: In this district there are no crown lands adapted for grazing purposes, and the settlers are required to take out a license to ran their cattle on their own land. ..-,,.. A vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr Swale, closed the proceedings.