THE HUNDREDS SYSTEM.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 73, 3 July 1869, Page 3

THE HUNDREDS SYSTEM.

(To f?,e Editor of the Tttapefca Times,')

Nib ? — In your issue of the 19th hist. 1 I noticed a letter signed " Miner's Right," | reflecting on the system of Hundreds and abusing the Land League. On perusing the epistle, the question arose in my mind, Did a miner write it ? A little consideration convinced me that it was no miner, but a partizan of the squattere, who sought to divide the opinion of the miners as to the benefit conferred by the League or derived from squatterdom. Now, sir, as a miner, and one of the first promoters of the Land League, I beg emphatically to contradict the writer's charge of selfishness, as applied to the association. I would also remind him that the miners were particularly requested to attend the first meeting of the League, and that several miners were eleoted on the committee ; and if he will refer to the memorial drawn up by that committee, and approved by public meeting, he will see that the miners were not neglected, and that one clause was devoted to them exclusively, which recommended that one mile each side Tuapeka Creek should be reserved for mining purposes, and wbich I think any reasonable person who knows anything of the district will admit is sufficient. Mr. Editor, although I would resist to the utmost of my power any obstacle thrown in the way of the miners, and especially the granting of auriferous land for other than mining purposes, still I cannot agree with the dog-in-theT manger policy of "Miner's Right," for there is plenty of non-auriferous land for the agriculturist, so the two interests need not clash ; and I maintain though the I mining interest is first fox a time, agrieul- | tui - e is oi equal importance, as being more permanent. Who are the settlers that * 4 M. R." abuses so much ? Are they not principally made up of miners who have made a little money and are tired of rushing about, and would gladly settle down if they could get land. There is one very absurd remark of his I cannot help noticing, viz., that " the squatter is the digger's natural ally." Nonsense ! the squatter looks on the digger as an interloper, and the diggers have a down on the squatter. I think he ought lather to say the settler is the friend of the digger, in supplying him with dairy and agricultural produce, and on the spot, without the expense oi importation and carriage ; also in competing with the squatter in the article of meat. The forming of a miner's association is a sensible idea ; but as the Land League was. formed to benefit the miner as well as the so-called cockatoo, let them attend its meetings and see that their interests are represented by the League, and that they get the mining reserve before mentioned, the which will also form a good commonage to run their horses and cattle on. In conclusion, I may state that I consider Government should employ a prospecting staff to test ground before it is set apart for settlement. By inserting the above in your journal you will oblige yours, &c, A Miner. Tuapeka Mouth, June 28, 1869.