MR WAITE'S GRIEVANCE.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1092, 25 July 1873, Page 3

MR WAITE'S GRIEVANCE.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times.) Sir, —I see by your paper, June 20th, that the Select Committee on my case refused to entertain it, on the ground that I had not applied for the deeds of my land,- during the time I held my depasturing licenses. As some of those gentlemen who signed my petition might think that it was my fault, I will explain that I did apply long before my licenses were forfeited. In 1867 at the time of the great rush to Waite's Pakihis, I made application for 80 acres of land about my homestead, Mr Kynnersley, then Commissioner, was instructed to have it surveyod, and Mr Kynnersley sent Mr Lowe to survey the block, and I paid for the survey, and afterwards had it marked off into sections by the same Mr Lowe; I did not chooso the land myself, but I was satisfied with it, Mr Kynnersley explaining to the Government that his object in giving me this land was that he thought the other area I chose would likely prove auriferous. , I then went to Nelson 1 to 1 pay for the land and get the deeds ; I went to Mr Daniells, the Crown Land Commissioner; who took me into the Survey Office to show him where thb, land was' situated, whereupon Mr Brunner, the Chief Surveyor, said I could not have this land as it was General Government property, and 1 was

refused the deeds. I may here sttite that had I obtained the deeds then I was offered three thousand pounds for my right to the whole Pnkihis. I saw the Superintendent on the subject, and he said ho would see his Executive. It was then referred to the General Government, and what with red tape and circumlocution it was nearly 12 mouthy before I got an answer.. Then it was decided I was to pay two pounds an acre for it, before this I understood I was only to pay ten shillings per acre. 'Die land then would not fetch as many shillings. ,

In 1868 I petitioned the Provincial Council, through Mr Bentley, member for the city; it was then resolved that I should be awarded the sum of £IOO for losses sustained, and alloved to purchase the 80 acres of land before.mentioned, at 10s per acre. There was no time mentioned as to when I should pay for this land, and as the Provincial Government had to pay the General Government the balance of ,£2 per acre I thought that it would make no difference to th lii when I paid. . I received the -£IOO on the understanding that it had nothing to do with any compensation I might get hereafter for the runs. , . Through several heavy losses I have not been in a position to pay for the land, but in March, 1872, a gentleman in Nelson proffered to lend mo the money to pay for the land. I again applied for the deeds and was prepared to pay for them. Mr Darnells, the Crown Lands Corcissioner, to whom I applied, said there was nothing ngainst my having the land; but he must have £l2O from the Superintendent— meaning the balance of the £2 per acre. The Superintendent' would not pay it. His excuse was it was too long since the business commenced that he must consult the Executive. Mr Fell, the Solicitor in Nelson, afterwards went to the Superintendent about it, but he, the Superintendent, still refused to pay the balance to Mr Daniells.

In 1868, after the award in Council, I petitioned the Waste Lauds Board (if there is such a body) through the Superintendent, to have my licenses cancelled, and for compensation under the Goldfields Act, ISGB, as the Warden at Westport was leasing the very land I was paying rent for ; but it was refused me. Another run-holder up the Grey, whose run was bringing in no revenue whatever, got £IOOO, but he was one of the chosen few. I was therefore compelled to forfeit my runs as I could no longer pay for them, neither were they of any use to me. Had I been in Nelson this last sitting of the Council I could have explained this to the ComiaUtee, but I could not afford to go, so that as tho plaintiff was not there, defendants had it all their own way.

I have asked for nothing but what is my right, and if it is the wish of the people of the province that I should have it, why do the Government refuse that right ? Why ! 'tis but sheer spite. I have been a hard nut for them to crack, but I have not done yet. I hope to be able some day to try legal means to get my rights.

I will vouch for the correctness of the statements made in this letter. Yours, &c, Reuben Waite.