THE MILLERS FLAT BLOCK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 350, 25 April 1874, Page 3

THE MILLERS FLAT BLOCK.

(To Hie Editor.) Sib, — The Government have adopted the rather unusual course of publishing Warden Simpson's report on the Millers Flat Block — a report by the way that reads more like the impassioned pleading of a partisan than the calm and judicial decision of an umpire. There is a passage in the report which reads as follows : " The memorial forwarded by the Committee (at Roxburgh) was founded on gross misrepresentation as to the nature of the land, and was got up by people who never saw it." To this statement lam requested to give an unqualified denial. They wonder if Warden Simpson, when instructed to report upon the nature of the block, was also instructed to ascertain the object endeavored to be attained by the Cooninittee, and to report upon their movements, as he appears to be qualified to state that they have founded the memorial upon gross misrepresentations, and that they never saw the land. Was this particular portion of his report mado in accordance with instructions from his superiors, or was it a piece of gratuitous information furnished by him upon "gross misrepresentation ? " The Committee are not at all surprised at Warden Simpson's deliverance, founded as it is on a very trivial and cursory examination ef the land in question. Any body at all acquainted with the worthy Warden's well-known proclivities could reaJily have guessed the tenor of the report before^ it was published. The land in question has been several times carefully examined by members of the Committee, some of whom had the advantage of being accompanied by the surveyor — an opportunity that Mr. Simpson did not enjoy. On the occasion of Messrs. Bastings aad Turnbull's visit, the former gentleman intimated to some of tfie members of the Committee that the Government had arranged with the runholder to open a block of land on Millers Flat for settlement, giving in lieu thereof to the - runholder -another blook of

2000 acres at 20s. per acre, at the same time indicating the precise locality. Subsequently, on the surveyor commencing operations, the Committee were informed by people resident in the immediate vicinity that the block being surveyed for the runholder comprised the only good agricultural land in that particular locality. The Committee, well knowing the importance of having correct information before taking any action in the matter, deputed two of their number to inspect the land, and found the information previously received by them agreed with that furnished by the Secretary for Works as to the whereabouts of the runholder's 2000 acres — viz., "alongside of the dividing fence between CargiU and Anderson's and Henderson's runs, and adjoining the pre-emptive right of the latter," which statement was confirmed by the surveyor on the ground. It would appear now as if the Government,' seeing the indignation awakened by their conduct in the matter, really intend to open up for settlement the block originally announced to be given to the runholder. Any number of warden's and surveyor's reports hurled at the heads of the Roxburgh people will not alter the fact that 2000 acres was arranged to be sold privately to the runholder, being the piece for which his consent to throw open an agricultural block was obtained ; and this in the face of the fact that 5000 acres on this run was covenanted to be given up for settlement without compensation on the granting by the Government of the present leases. The arrangement would not be so surprisinz if it were not that it is partly carried out by a gentleman who denounced in very strong terms a similar transaction of a previous Government. The Committee, in justice to themselves as well as the people they represent, will feel obliged by your inserting this letter, in vindication of the trust placed in their hands. — I am, &c, E. Moebison, Secretary to Committee. Roxburgh, 21st April.