ROXBURGH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 341, 25 March 1874, Page 3

ROXBURGH.

{From a Correspondent) There, a was Committee meeting held here on Thurday last, the result of which was the adoption of the following petition to be forwarded to the Government : — "To his Honor James Macandrew, Esq.? Superintendent of the province of Otago, and the members of the Executive Council ot the said province. . " The memorial of the Committee appointed at Roxburgh for the purpose of endeavoring to procure land being opened up for settlement in the Mount Benger district. " Respectfully sheweth — . " That some time past promises were made by tbe Government that a suitable block of land situated on "Henderson's run, Millers Flat, embracing two thousand five hundred (2500) acres should be immediately opened up for settlement on the deferred payment system. "That this Committee find after much delay, the Government have made arrangements to sell to therunholder two thousand (2000) acres, embracing the choicest land on the run, and also being part of the two thousand five hundred acres previously opened up for . settlement.

"That this Committee are grieved to ascertain that the (Government are now causing a block of land to the extent of two thousand five hundred acres to be surveyed on the said run for the purpose of settlement, such land being almost entirely a block oi' shingle and rocky ridge, totally unfit for the purpose intended. " That in accordance with the provisions of tho land laws of the province, when any block of land has been declared open for settlement on any run, it is imperative that not less than one-third of the land comprised withiu such block must be taken prior to any more land being opeued up for settlement on the same run.

" That the Committee desire to point out that the opening up of the block above referred to will be the means of effectually - locking up the land embraced within Hendersons -run from settlement, inasmuch as the required extent of land will never be takep np during the -term of the present leasfe^of the run, owing to its shingly and rocln^ character. " V * That in arranging the survey of the said shingle and rocky ridge, the Government consulted with none of the residents in this district, nor with any intending settlers. " That there are numbers of people in this district who have been anxiously waiting for years past, expecting the Government to open up suitable land for settlement. " That the surveying of such land as the blockin question and the Roxburgh Shingle Block is only a useless expenditure of the public money, and a means of effectually discouraging settlement. ' " Your memorialists therefore respectfully desire to point out the inexpediency of expending public money in the survey of the block referred to, and trust the Government may see fit to open for settlement the land previously asked for by the people and -gg» promised to them. " And your memorialists, &c. " Signed on behalf of Committee. "E. Moebibon, Secretary."