MOUNT BENGER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 25 April 1868, Page 3

MOUNT BENGER.

(From a Correspondnt.) If we have not the feverish excitement that pervaded the district of Mount Benger during the Delegation semi-dramatic squabble, it is obvious that the only requisite for kindling the flame, is something in the sliape of a formidable opposito the very mystical delays of the Provincial Executive in opening the fertile valley of the _ Molyneux, for running stock or agricultural settlement. The agitation is rising ; and the latent force is cropping out in bold relief, which needs only to be stirred in a right strenuous manner, when we may safely calculate upon " land for the people, and people for the land." The intense desire manifested by all sections of the mining community for settling permanently on the lands that, for no practical purpose, are lying waste within the goldfields, ought to be a sufficient stimulus to rouse the political sentiments of the Executive in the way of providing means to accomplish that desirable object; but they seem to be as frightened to take forty or fifty thousand acres of land from the squatters, as the Dutch are of the bursting of their sea-walls. The feeling of agitation with reference to this all-absorbing question, has now extended to Blacks and other important centres of outlying districts; and three important meetings have been held within the last four months in this district, besides having sent a very influential deputation to head quarters, without obtaining the slightest practical satisfaction, so far as regards any knowledge of the political dispositions of our paternal Government. The good people of Roxburgh led off again last week, when another meeting on the same subject took place. The chair was appropriately occupied by D. H. Mervyn, Esq., M.H.R., who has witnessed (like many more in the district) the good fruits which have resulted from affording the mining population of the sister Colony of Victoria tangible facilities for settling permanently upon the land ; but it is needless to expect any measure towards the accomplishment of that very desirable object in Otago, until such time as we have it in our power to renovate the Provincial Council with fresh blood, and men who have some political aim. The meeting was large and enthusiastic. There was an excellent representation of the miners, and~there was present almost every man in the district who is conspicuous for anything like public spirit. The resolutions were suported by able and energetic speeches ; and the Chairman administered a merited rebuke to Government, usually energetic enough, but unaccountably apathetic at present. T3ie proceedings were characterised by perfect unanimity, and it is a good omen that a meeting so spirited, so numerous, so influential, has given its sympathy and political aid at this stage of the movement, to the people of Queenstown and Blacks. The spirit of the meeting was all that the most earnest demonstrators could wish. It is only the truth when I say that the great bulk of the really earnest community of Mount Benger — the working bees of the social hive — was present ; and there was a manifest determination that this time the political privileges of the district should not be burked with impunity. After having disposed of the land question, the meeting, on the motion of Mr. Beighton, was reinstalled, to consider the rumored decision of the Government to deprive tins district of the services of a Warden and Resident Magistrate. Mr. James Hoyle having been voted to the chair, said that a district so important as Mount Benger, whose mining population was so widely disseminated, ought not, even in common justice to the general community, to be deprived of the services of a Warden and Resident Magistrate. Mr. Beighton moved the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted :—": — " That this meeting view with deep concern the rumored intention of Government to annex this district with another, and to have the affairs of this, one of the most important mining districts, managed by an occasional visit of a Warden from another district}- and wish the Chairman to forward a copy of the resolution to the Superintendent and Mr. George Ireland moved the second resolution, which, after some discussion, was also unanimously approved of. The resolution was to this effect : — " That in the opinion of this meeting, if it be desirable to reduce the expenditure connected with the management of the Goldfields, it would give more general satisfaction to reduce the salaries of the Wardens than to reduce the number, of those officials." If the Government are determined to execute a cutting off in the Goldfields service, they would I , he taking a fake step to inflict the penalty ' on the resident* of Mount Benger, by depriving them of the services of a Warden and Resident Magistrate. Considering its central position and importance, as a mining district, Mount Benger may be safely ranked Becond to none in the Province.