BLACKS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 250, 14 November 1872, Page 8

BLACKS.

(From our own Correspondent.) November stb.

Our Progress Committee held their first general meeting last evening. But as the business transacted has not yet transpired, I am unable to comment upon their actions at the present. However, I give them fair warning if they do not keep up to their work, or should they do anything at any time that is not satisfactory to the general public, I shall show them no mercy. I consider it my duty, aa your correspondent, to comment freely and, where it is required, severely, on the public actions of any body of men in the district ; and should it be necessary, F trust 1 shall not fail to make myself heard. I have been favored with a glance at the standing orders of the Committee, which are prepared principally for their own guidance and management. There are a few of them, however, I think should be made public; and in case you should not receive a copy of them, I will give you what I think is necessary for the public good. The first is, any person having any communication or request to make to the Committee shall do so in writing, otherwise it will not be entertained, any request so made to be considered at the next general meeting. Second, all correspondence, outwards and inwards, is to be signed and addressed to the Chairman of Committee. Third, special meetings will be convened by order of the Chairman or two members of Committee. 3VIn J. Cheeseman has been elected Chairman of the Committee. This is about all that has any interest to the general public! I may state -that I am informed that the minutes of the meetings are to' be forwarded to you for publication. The Committee have drawn up a memorial,, which is in course of signature, asking the Government to pet aside'' a portion of Messrs: Campbell and -Low's run as a commonage for the district. ' The ar«a asked is kbout 14,000" or 15,000 acre's, and it is much required. "I suppose this will be a ', bitter pill to the leaseholders; „ v hut as bitter as it may be fco them,- if th« public only persevere in their object, I think they will be compelled to 'swallow it. I hope' it will not seriously interfere with their digestion. The. course the squatters have been and, are still pursuing has stirred the owners of, cattle into action ; and to enable them to continue to reside -in the district where many of them have been for years, and by dint of, hard labor and perseverance acquired a few head of, cattle and. ,comfortable houses, they are* compelled to ast the Government, to i grant -them, sufficient land to graze their -.-stock. . They were driven to. this- by the 'combined action of the squatters tttemselves, whOße^ra to be determined „tp r 'drive tlie. '^fci^rs anil

small owners of cattle out of ,tlie country, or make it so that their cattle will cost them three or four times the value of them in a very short time. They are now carrying on a sort of systematic impounding ; and owners no sooner relieve their cattle ' from the Clyde pound, where they are driven by one runholder, than they are seized and re-impounded by another, and so on ad infinitum. This state of things cannot be permitted to go on ranch longer, thai is if- the authorities are desirous that the province is to retain any of its population. The stock owners are quite willing to pay for grazing their stock, but the squatters refuse to accept payment, hence commonages must be provided for them. The memorial, if properly canvassed, will be numerously signed, and represent the owners of from 3to 400 head of cattle. I understand the lease of the portion of the ran applied for has nearly expired, the Government should have no difficulty in granting the pi-ayer of the memorialists, j

In mining matters I have nothing fresh to report — the weather still continues dry and water is getting scarce in many places.

Our Warden— Mr. E. H. Carew— is expected to lake up his residence here in the coutse of the week: This will give general satisfaction to all classes. The Blacks people will seriously object to his being removed from here again. Should any other Wardens require leave of absence for any length of time, I would advise the Government to appoint a special relieving Warden for the purpose of taking their places.