THE MOUNT BENGER J.P.'s.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 64, 1 May 1869, Page 3

THE MOUNT BENGER J.P.'s.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) - Sib. — A good deal has appeared in your columns aboufc your Mount Benger correspondent's letter, which appeared in your issue of the 10th instant, on account of some remarks upon our local, newly appointed J.P.s for this district ; and also upon the depasturing privileges vouchsafed to the miners and settlers, by Mr. Clarke, and Messrs. Cargill and Anderson, runholdors. "With reference to the J.P's., I know them very well : they ar^ both intelligent men, whose decisions upon any matter which is likely to come before a justice of the peace, I am certain, would be unbiassed and such aa any community would endorse. In addition to their capabilities of judging rightly and impartially, they have by their euergy and business qualities, raised themselves to positions as store-keepers, which, I consider, very worthy of the honor conferred upon them ; and I trust they will not follow the bad example of other J.P's I have aeen your correspondents find fault with at Tapanui and other places, and not wear the honor alone, without accepting the responsibility attached to that honor. I have often regretted to observe it some small matters affecting the township, a spirit of hostility shown to each other, by the two gentlemen referred to ; this may be caused by trade jealousy — in fact I have no doubt it is attributable to that cause. It is a pity that it should be so, as thero is plenty business in the district for both, and the principle of" Nursing their wrath to keep it warm, " neither does themselves nor their customers any good but the reverse. The action of the G-eneral Government in making these appointments throughout the Province is praiseworthy, and deserves commendation, as the public convenience in the various localities, appears to have been considered. The question of depasturing, as stated by jjuv own correspondent, I think is quita correct. It is true Messrs. Cargill and Anderson only charge 10s a head for cattle, but then they limit the number to ten; but your correspondent, I think, must have had in view Cargill and Anderson's notico in which it was Bet forth that only four head would be allowed to each Betfcler or minor, so that he was quite right in saying Mr. Clark's terms of 20s a head' with the privilege of depasturing an unlimited number, were much more liberal than Messrs. Cargill and Anderson's 10s a head with the number limited to four head. But even with the extension of the limits to ten, it is very questionable if Mr. Clark ( 8 privilege is not the most liberal. If it would not pay a man to raise 10 head at 10s per head license, it might pay him very well to raise 100 head at £1 a head, and thus the latter liconao although double the former, may be the most liberal of the two. I am &c, Eaib Plat.