PUBLIC MEETING AT ROXBURGH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 354, 9 May 1874, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING AT ROXBURGH.

On Monday ovening there was held a public meeting (numerously attended) at the Commercial Assembly Kooms, Roxburgh, to decide upon what steps should be taken to procure the land originally promised by the Government on Henderson's run, Millers Flat, to be opened up for agricultural settlement. The Committee, hearing of the arrival of Mr. Warden Simpson, forwarded him a note inviting his attendance at the meeting, to which they received the following reply :—: — " Sir, I am in receipt of your note requesting my attendance at a meeting in connection -with Millers Flat Block, and I regret to say that the rules of the Public Service prevent ray attendance at any meeting having a political tendency. — I am, &c, W. Laweence Simpson."

Mr. J. C. Chappie having been called to the chair, in a brief speech stated the object of the meeting, and at the same time his conviction that hai other districts taken up the land question as warmly as the Roxburgh people had done, a different state o£ affairs Avould soon be brought about throughout the province. "Heaven helps those who help themselves," he said, and ho must give the .Roxburgh people credit for having done all in their power to help tliemseives. He then called upon

Mr. John Beighton, who stated that he thought success had attended the Committee so far as their first efforts were concerned — viz., impressing Mr. Holloway with the desirability of procuring guarantees from the Government that future immigrants should have really suitable land thrown open, in order to promote the settlement of small capitalists. lie also hoped that success would also follow their endeavors to procure the 2,500 acres so repeatedly promised by the Government for settlement on Henderson's run. lie had no doubt that, if they were united, they would be able to procure what they wanted. Mr. Maokay then said that in regard to the matter now before Ike public, the Committee i'elt that, in justice to tlicnajves and in vindication or their conduct, their best course was to call a public meeting, in view of the aspersions attempted to be cast upoa them ; but more especially by Warden Simpson's report, nbout whiuh he would have a word or two to say. On the Committee hearing of the arrangement intended to be carried out by the Government with respect to the block otland on Mdlers Elat.it was suggested that himself and Mr. Ireland should go and inspect the i~««i r ™;™c tn nnv action beinc taken in the matter, m order to guard against incorrect representations being maJe. Well knowing how their actions would be criticised, they felt the importance of having correct information ; and lfc was on the report which he and Mr. Ireland furnished that the Committee based tlioir subsequent antion. On hearing that the survey of the block was completed, and seeing Mr. Warden Simpson's report thereon, the Committee deputed two of their number, who, along with several other gentlemen, made a minute and careful examination of the two blacks, and found that the block 'surveyed for settlement is chiefly of a rocky and shingly nature, and unfit for agricultural settlement. Mr. Mackay here read the following report, which was signed by the gentlemen who examined the block: — "We, the undersigned, having carefully gone over the two blocks of land recently surveyed on Henderson's run, Millers Flat, hereby declare that after particular examination we find the block surve\ ed into sections for agricultural settle-^, ment not fit for that purpose, and embraces^ scarcely any land of an agricultural character; but consists, with the exception of about 200 acres, of land of a rocky and shingly nature, and having scarcely any supply of water. That the other block surveyed for the runholder is of a far higher class of land, comprises a large extent well' adapted for settlement, well watered 'by the 'Timor Creek and its tributaries, and, if opened, would be immediately taken up and occupied. Signed, U-. Mackay, W. llonnor. J. Sellars, J. Hush ion, J. Beighton, It. M'Leod, S. G-rogan, D. Cormauk." He (Mr. Mackay) confessed to have felt much surprise at any person having the least preventions of judging good land from bad reporting as Warden Simpson had done. Any person taking up that report could not fail to be struck at the apparent animus of the writer towards the Committee. So far as the Committee were concerned, they could say that they one and all endeavored to the best of their ability to discharge their duties to the public at large faithfully and honestly, and they had a right to expect that a person in Warden Simpson's position would do so likewise. In Warden Simpson's report, he states that Mr. M'Leod is one of the Committee. They all knew this was not the case. Again, he states " That in company with Mr. M'Leod and Mr. G-rogan they traversed the block through its length and breadth." These gentlemen (one of whom was now present and could speak for himself) assured him they did not traverse more than one-half of tlie block. They also deny having spoken the words imputed to them by the Warden in his report. Mr* G-rogan, being unable to attend the meeting, has signed the statement he held in his hand, viz. — " In Warden Simpson's report on the Millers Flat Block lie states that I used the following words : ' We'cannot in justice but say that the land is the 'best that can be got, and about the place we wanted it.' . To this statement I give a distinct denial,' and it is a gross perversion of the facts and the truth. The actual words I made use of are as follows : ' If the spurs above the station were got, it would not be so bad as represented ; but, as it is, it is no good for agriculture. If a person got 1000 acres of it, he might do something on it for grazing. Signed, Samuel Grog-as." Our party traversed the length and breadth of the two blocks ; but the Warden's party did not. The land laid open for settlement is the worst to be found in the locality.

Mr. R. M'Leod : I was asked to accompany Warden Simpson through the block. I went with him, but saw no pegs or Hues. The Warden was as ignorant as we were. He had no- plans or anything to goby. We could find no lines at all.

Mr. Mervyn : I would ask Mr. M'Leod one question — Is the following statement in the Warden's rep"ort correct ? " The block was traversed through itß length and breadth, following the pegs and lines." Mr. R. M'Leod k It was not traversed through the" length, and breadth.

Mr. Mervyn : I would Mr. M'Leod whether lie and those with him did not say, " The land is the best to be got, and about the place we wanted it ? " Mr, M'Leod : No j I heard no such, words made use of. Mr. Mervyn : You know the natuie;Bi the two blocks. Would you give youi#"opinioii which is superior — That surveyed for the runholder, or the one for settlement ? > Mr. M'Leod : The block surveyed for^tho runholdcr is undoubtedly the best fitted for settlement. Mr. Mervyn : I did not intend to take any part in this meeting, as I do not take active steps in any local movement. (A voice : But you should though.) I find that a number of residents here make deliberate statements as representatives of their neighbors : That the block thrown open for settlement is inferior to the block surveyed for the runholder. These statements are made by Mr. Warden Simpson, who states, in fact, that the report of the Committee is a tissue of falsehoods. There are now two courses to adopt — the one for two or three outsiders to report upon the two blocks, the other to fall upon the G-o-verument to enquire into the conduct of Warden Simpson taking advantage of his official position to do all that lies- in his power to frustrate settlement. There is every probability that the statements made by the Committee arc correct j therefore, I think that if representations were sent to the proper quarter, the Warden would be removed or otherwise prevented from taking an advantage his official position alone gives him. Mr. Mackay : As far as Mr. Mervyn's first suggestion goes, ifc has already been acted upon, six of those who reported not being of the Committee. Mr. Beighton : Mr. Simpson states Mr. M'Leod is one of the Land Committee. Did Mr. M'Leod lead him to believe that he was a member ? Mr. M'Leod : I did not ; and whoever says that I did, I will tell him that he is a liar to his teeth. Mr. Beighton : Mr. Mervyn has thrown out one or two good suggestions ; one has already been acted upon, the other can be. I would advise this meeting to take advantage of the present session, totally ignoring Warden Simpson's report, Mr. Ireland has placed himself in a poßtion in which it is desirable we should strengthen his hands as • much as possible. A petition has been drawn up by the Committee, which I will now submit to you for your approval. In drawing up this petition, we 'have confined ourselves to a statement as much as possible like that already sent down, thus shewing that we will not budge one inch from the position we have taken up. Mr. Beighton then read the following petition :—: — " To the Honorable the Speaker and the members of the Provincial Council of Otago, in session assembled. "That the petition of the undersigned, being the Committee appointed at Roxburgh by public meeting, for the purpose of endeavoring to procure land being opened for settlement in the district of Mount Benger, respectfully sheweth : " That some time past, promises were made by the Government that a suitable bkvk of land, situate on Henderson's run, Millers Flat, the precise locality being indicated, embracing 2,500 acres in extent, shbuld be immediately opened up for settlement on the deferred payments system. " That this Committee find, after muclrdelay, the Government have mada arrangements to sell to the runholder 2,000 acres, embracing almost the* entire block previously promised for settlement^ and- being the best land in the locality fitted for the purpose of agricultural settlement. '• That the Committee are grieved to ascertain that the Government have caused a block of land to be surveyed on the said run for settlement in lieu of the land- previously promised, and being entirely a block of shingle and rough ridges, totally unfit for agriculture and settlement. ' " That in arranging the sirrpey of the said block of land, the Government .consulted wil,h none of this district, nor any of the intending settlers. " That there are numbers of people in this district who have been anxiously waiting, for years past in expectation of the Government opening up suitable land for settlement. " That the Committee desire to point out that, in accordance with the provisions of the land laws of the Province, when any block of land has been declared open for settlement upon any run, it is imperative that no less than one-third, or one-half of such land .must be taken up prior to any more being opened up for settlement on the same run. " That the Committee desire to point out that the opening up of the block referred to will be the means of , effectually locking up all the residue of the land on Henderson's run, inasmuch a3 the required extent of land will never be taken up during the currency of the present lease of the run. " That the surveying of such blocks of land as the one in question, and the Teviot Shjngle Block, is only a useless waste of public money, and a most effectual means of retarding settlement. - __ " Your petitioner therefore humbly pray that your Honorable Council will take the subject of this petition into your favorable consideration, and cause the said block of land to be opened for settlement originally promised to the people by the Government, and thereby afford means of settling down upon land of a suitable character. " And your petitioners will ever pray, &c. " John Beigiitoit David Coemack David Andersok Albert Birch Geo. Mackay P. T. Fitzgeraad J. WOODHOTTSE J. BtJRTON M. E. Manuei E. Morrison, Secretary. Moved by Mr. E. M. Smith, and seconded by Mr. M'Donald— " That this meeting having heard; a petition read which the Committee intend forwarding to the Provincial Council, praying that certain lands be immediately opened for settlement, cordially support the action taken, and pledge them- • selves to support the Committee in carrying out the same." Carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Brighton, and seconded by Mr. Michell— " That Mr. George Ireland, M.P.C. for the district, be requested to move in the Council for an enquiry into the subject of this petition, and Mr. Warden Simpson's report thereto." Carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Fitzgerald, and seconded by Mr. Miehell — " That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr. J. P. Armstrong for supporting the Roxburgh people at Mr. Holloway's meeting in Dunedin." Carried. A hearty vote of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings.