TUAPEKA MOUTH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 266, 6 March 1873, Page 5

TUAPEKA MOUTH.

(From our own Correspondent.) A meeting was held on Saturday, 15th ult , at the schoolhouse, to consider the commonage boundary question, and to find out if any and what reason Mr. Grundy had for driving therefrom,, on the 17th Dec, some horse? to the Tuapeka pound, belonging to James Smi'h, Esq., of Greenfield Run. Mr. T. W. VTailler was called to the chair, and after c iplaining the object of the meeting, he stited that he was the primary — although unintentional cause of these horses crossing tbe boundary on the occasion in question. He found them that morning, on the top of one of Mr. Smith's hills, and in going amongst them, looking for the Tuapeka Mouth horses, he caused them to go down to the flat leading to the Crookburn, and they crossed the Orookburn and went towards the township. Unfortunately, ou that day Mr.. Grundy was down on a raid against the resident* of Tuapeka Mouth who had not registered their horses, and as none had done so, he drove, or- caused to ta driven, all that came in his way, and, amongst the rest, Mr. Smith's. Each horse was mulcted in the sum of 3s before it could be released. - Messrs Taylor, Bailey, Grieve, and all the people present, insisted that Mr. Smith's horses had no right to be taxed. They said it was the only time that they had been seen on the commanage. Mr. Bailey said he had se a the boundary keeper driving them down the hill. Mr. Smith had always allowed the people to go on his ground to drive off their horses, and why they should drive off his he could not understand. All such arguments were to no purpose, Mr. Grundy had got possession of them, and took them to. Lawrence. The Chairman likewise said there were a large number of cattle unregistered, and he believed Mr. Grundy knew it well. There were a good few cattle run there whose owners did not resile on the goldfields reserve. He asked why did not the Government Ranger run them in as well as the horses ? Why did he make fish of one and flesh of another t Had Mr. Grundy the power to do as he pleased — favor one and fine another? He might have, but as Chairman, he thought i here could be no harm in memoralising theGovernment just to. learn what Mr. Grundy'sduty really was.. Mr. Grundy, (who was present) said heonly did his. duty. He found the horses on the reserve, and did not know who they belonged to — although branded J. -. — he therefore took possession of them. Had they been. , Queen Vie oria's he would have done ihe same, but had he known under whar circumstances they had come across the boundary,, and that they were Mr:. Mnitk's horses, hemight not have impounded them. Mr. Grundy was asked by Mr. Taylor and several others, if they had not told him all the circumstances connected with the horses coming across the boundary. In answer, h& said they- might have done so-, but he -was not bound to listen to what everyone said, meaning that he would just do as he pleased. -Jxu answer to a question from the Chairman, Mr. Grundy said no cattle whose owners did not reside on tlie goldfields reserve, were allowed to be depastured there, and he was not aware that any person orpersons residing ia Waitahuna and Lawrencehad any cattle running there. Nobody in these places had paid, for any, but if the Chairman would point them out to him, and assist him to bring them, in, he would go along with him The Chairman declined to have anything to do with the Government Ranger's work. A$ this stage of the proceedings, Mr. Grundy stepped out, and several motions were proposed and. seconded, but did not meet with approval. At length- Mr* Grieve proposed that a committee be-, appointed; and a letter be written and sent to Mr. Smith, expressing, regret at what had taken place with regard to his horses, and that Mr. Grundy be asked to affix his signature to it. 1 his was seconded 1 and carried unanimously. Mr. Gnmdy was accordingly sent for, and being informed of the conclusion the meeting, had come to, he said he would not put his name to anything, but if Mr, Smith and tha. horse and cattle owners came to an understanding between themselves, he would not; again interfere with any animals belonging toformer.. A letter expressing regret a*-. th<* impounding e£ M . Smith's horses, w.aa. £q£«wajc&ed.to,tbal gentleman..