THE MOA FLAT SALE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 219, 11 April 1872, Page 8

THE MO A FLAT SALE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — The latest phaso of this notorious transaction puts all the others in the shade. After deciding to withhold about 2000 acres of valuable agricultural land from the operation of their original agreement, the Waste Land Board now quietly arrange to sell this 2COO acres, and, in addition, give Mr. Clarke the privilege of selecting a similar area of land in the vicinity — a privilege he will be well prepared to exercise, seeing that such ample facilities have been afforded him of including any desirable block that might have been previously overlooked. It is hardly credible that a body of public men could be found to make such egie; o is blui dsrs as have been displayed by the Waste Land -Board in their conduct in this transaction from first to last. To say that the same number of schoolboys playing at government could so completely stultify thems 'lyes at every turn, wonld be equivalent to laKng them as dunces of no ordinary type ; but that men who are at least supposed to be conversant with the transaction of everyday business of life should have apparently so purposelessly and helplessly floundered about before coming to the conclusion arrived at last week, indicates such a degree, of incapacity that ought to be the means of hurling them from a position in which they have made themselves the laughingstocks of men of every shade of political opinion.

The key to their conduct, however, is not rfr to seek. They were only too well disposed to forward the runholder's views in the matter, and they desired at the sametime to shirk any personal responsibility, and so obviate the general feeling of disgust sure to be manifested on their hitherto unheardof decision being made public. Of course, the two motives actuating our wiseacres are utterly irreconciieable ; hence the cowardly display they have made of themselves.

What is the reason that the case said to be so carefully prepared by the Provincial Solicitor and the agents of the purchaser for submission to Mr. Justice Coapman has come to nothing ? The conclusion I am drawn to is, that knowing full well the illegal manner in which they went to work, and the certainty of an adverse decision, they dared not proceed in the constitutional manner as at first arranged. The alternative of having to refund so much money, and the probability of being brought to book for a considerable pecuniary loss, had the sale been transacted, was more than the/ cored to risk, having in view the approaching session of the Provincial Council, and the thorough examination that will doubtless be made of this universally execrated job. It would be really amusing, if it were not so serious a matter, to reckon the names assenting to or dissenting from the many motions made anent the sale at the meetings of the Board — how at one time the names appear on one side, and again on another — care being doubtless taken beforehand that the main result should not be affected by those interesting see-saw operations. Nearly all the members of the Board can now point out that at some time or other during the progress of the negotiations they tried to oppose the sale. Mr. Donald Reid is a notable instance par example, while the champion-like Bradshow, with his shadowy red line, advanced cogent reasons against effecting the sale, but showed his utter insin^ (.-erity by neglecting to vote cither for or against — a course of conduct most humiliating, to use the mildest language, in the member for the district.

The upshot of the matter, so far as we have got, may be described in a few word^. A tran«nrtion involving the private sale of 45,000 acres of land" without competition, and at a price below the minimum fixed by law, and in a manner so flagrantly opposed to the genor, 1 provisions of the Waste I a ids Act, was su'Gcie it to draw forth the adverse criticism, not only of the local Press, but also of many influential journals in other parts of the colony. A select committee of the Legislative Council, after an exhaustive examination, pronounced the sale as opposed to the public interest, unprecedented in its character, and of very questionable legality. The opinions of the. Attorney- General and the Colonial Treasurer are of a < even more decided nature. The residents, who might bo. presumed to have some knowledge on the subject, left no legitimate means untried, by petitions and otherwise, to secure their just and equitable rights.

In the face of all'these opinions and representations, and as if to show with what contempt they regard public opinion, the Board deliberately agrees to sacrifice 2000 acres in addition to the 45,000 acres already dealt with. Taken altogether, I venture to assert that no parallel can be found to this transaction — that it is, in fact, unique in the utter disregard of law and of the public weal displayed. Until some means are devised of making the irresponsible adventurers now in power amenable to the people they at present so grossly misrepresent, I fear there is little hope of a change of a beuefiVial nature. What can be expected for the Mount Benger and (^akaia districts so long as Bradshaw continues their member ? More than three-fourths of his constituents have' plainly signified their opinion,

that he no longer represents them ; but men of his calibre are' not to be so easily got to divest themselves of a position attained by force of promises — promises which were too readily swallowed by a confiding constituency. — I am, &c, Colonist. Roxburgh, April 3rd.

{To the Editor.)

Sir, — How is it that the proceedings of the Waste Land Board, in reference to the latest phase of this question, was not reported in the so-called leading journal of this Province ? Has the almighty dollar also proved omnipotent in their case ? During a period of five years I have not known the "Otago Daily Times" omitting a proceeding of that great body — " the Waste Land Board." Is this the journal that boasts of being the exponent of public opinion, which, now acts such an ignoble and cowardly part in this disgraceful affair ? Does it think that, by excluding the report from the columns of the "Times," it will pass unnoticed, or hide the matter from the light of day.- No doubt the editor or manager has received his instructions from some of the directors. This is the manner in which joint stock papers are managed ; hence the humiliating part played by the "Otago Daily Times " throughout the whole of this discreditable transaction. And what has the member for this district been doing while the interests of his constituents were being so ruthlessly sacrificed ? Sheltering himself, I suppose, behind his phantom red line. How is it that he has never taken his seat at the Board at any time during the discussion of this matter ? How is it that he has never lifted up his voice against it ? This matter I shall leave for a future day of reckoning, which is fast hastening now. Settler. Moa Flat, Bth April.