MOUNT BENGER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 61, 10 April 1869, Page 3

MOUNT BENGER.

(From our own Correspondent.) I have no events of a very startling character to narrate, but it is so long a time since you have heard from me that I write to assert my own existence.

Your "Wanderer" has mentioned the excellent jield of wheat in our district, and I can assure you he has understated rather than overstated the splendid returns obtained from, our land. ?Not only wheat, • Init barley, oats, and root crops flourish under the sliadow of Mount Benger, to an extent not easily appreciated by one ignorant of the capabilities of the district. Were the land thrown open and suitable commonage provided, Mt Benger would become as prominent for its agricultural products as it is for the auriferous character of its soil.

The only excitement here of late has i been occasioned by an addition to the local magistracy. AYe are all petrified with astonishment, and cannot comprehend the principles on which .T.P's (query judges of pigs) are selected. Indeed, I have heard/, it asserted that the recent appointment is a triumphant refutation of Mr. Darwin's theory of i natural selection, for anything more unnatural than one of these appointments can hardly be imagined. The gentleman I refer to has undoubtedly numerous good qualities 5 , can, for instance, write a witty and amusing letter, but unfortunately these gifts are just those a magistrate should not possess. Grog selling, and a seat on the Bench, have generally been supposed incompatible pursuits, but now we behold them forced into an unnatural and Siamese-twinlike union. Besides, a violent partizan who is violently opposed to the whole bulk of the community on a most vital and important, question, whp r by this opposition has greatly retarded the developement of the township, can hardly be expected to bring to bear on contested matters, that impartial and judicial spirit which should characterize a magistrate. With every respect for the gentleman, I cannot but commiserate him under the weight of honours so cruelly , thrust upon him. I only hope some additional and more judicious creations will be made in order to counteract the ill effects of the recent appointment. I observe "Our own correspondent" of your local contemporary has chosen to attack your "Wanderer "because he ventured to compare Mr. Clark's treatement to cattle owners, with that of Messrs. Cargill and Anderson, and found the comparison very much in favor of the former.' J 'befteyie < the opinion of nearly every intelligent person will coincide with his, for Mr. Clarke has shown no disinclination to encourage settlement,' and has expressly stated his belief that the increase of agricultural'settlement was not only likely 1 to benefit the community at large, but ftiso the runholders/ He aißows the cattle of all persons living on his run to depasture at a fixed rate, and I belieya would not be unwilling to reduce that rate were the matter laid before him in a proper and respectful manner. • , - - I believe there is some legal difficulty in the way .of. withdrawing runs from the goldfields and declaring them Hundreds, but this }B not a matter of vital importance as regards the Mount Benger district. The runs of Messrs. Mackellar, Schlotel and Roberts are without the goldfields, and if thrown open; would be available as commonage not only by the residents in this district, but also by the inhabitants of Tapanui. The plea of lack of funds could not be urged by Government ) against this, for the outlay required to open up this tract of country — over 70,000 acres — would be comparatively trifling. I trust the matter will be brought before the Provincial Council when it meets, and that every effort will be made by our goldfields memberttto procure this boon for the".district.