THE TEVIOT LAND SALE. (To the Editor.)

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 234, 25 July 1872, Page 7

THE TEVIOT LAND SALE. (To the Editor.)

Sir, — From the report of a public meeting which appeared in your last issue, the residents of Lawrence appear to be rather indignant at the action taken by the Government, with regard to the sale of land to Cargill and Anderson. Tt is not my intention to attempt to vindicate the conduct of the Government, but I cannot help remarking that there are others whom 1 am inclined to think are not altogether blameless in the matter. I allude to the Goldfielda members. Btit before going any further, it is necessary to state for the information of many of your readers, that a motion was brought before the Council on the day on which

it was prorogited, empowering the Government tp.sell 50,000 acres of land in blocks of" land in not less than 10,000 ncre3, and in the "Daily Times " of the following morning, the member for Lawrence, TI. Bastings, Esq., was reported as having spoken in support of the motion, and now we see this gentleman coming forward and condemning the Government fur carrying it into effect. If. all the Gi lifields members had voted against the motion, the Government would scarcely have ventured, I think, to effect the sale complained of ; whereas, seven supported, and only three voted against it. As to petitioning the Colonial Government to take over the administration of the goldfield's, a course advocated by one of the speakers, what guarantee have we that the change would be beneficial ? Do not the same members that rej-tresent us in the Council, represent us also in the Assembly ? The different mining committees were requested by the same sneaker to tnke this subject in hand ; but, if I mitjht be permitted to make a suirtrestion, I would advise, that instead of looking to the Colonial Government, they at once demand the resignation of the present Goldfields Secretary, and try and procure the appointment of a gentleman who would be somethincr more than a mere tool in the hands of Mr. Reid. Many of your readers will recollect; that when Mr, Mouat was Provincial Secretary he*, from some cause or o f .her,' became rather and was requested by Mr. "Yogel to resign. Who can iell what 'would be the result of a similar request by the miners in Mr. Bradshaw's case?--- Mr. M Hay, while expressing his indignation at the action of the Government, coolly suggests the disoosal of land in 5000 acre blocks. Why,- sir, if such a policy were pursued, all the choice agricultural land in the province would soon be in the hands of sharks. I would advise that gentleman to take a peep at the Southland map before he again comes forward with such ideas. He will there see that the policy he advocates has to a certain extent been canned out, and has resulted in rendering thousands of acres adjacent to the sections valueless to any but the holders of tho 5000 acre blocks. — T am, c6c, X. Waitahuna, July 23rd.