OUR TIMBER RESERVE.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1102, 29 August 1873, Page 3

OUR TIMBER RESERVE.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times.) Sir, —I beg to claim your courtesy by addressing through your columns a few comments on what I characterise as a bold monopolising scheme now being attempted under the flimsy disguise of applications for agricultural leases-—I allude to the application recently made by a Mr Pell for 200 acres of land extending along the track towards Giles Terrace, from a point familiarly known as the Military Eucahipmentj to Wardrop's half-way house. New, sir, a shrewd calculating individual like Mr Pell must have been well aware at the time he lodged his application for that valuable belt of land that from it depended the future supply of timber for most of the Northern Terraces. It is no argument to assume that the terraces are nearly worked out. The opinion of many of the most experienced is that north of Giles the main deep back leads have yet to be worked,- and each new discovery helps to confirm that opinion. Suitable lath timber is now nearly exhausted on the terraces. The miners at both Giles and Deadinans Creek for" the last twelve or eighteen months have had to draw their chief supply from this identical belt in question. It would therefore be a manifest injustice to the whole inhabitants of this district to grant this lease, for it would cripple the resources of a valuable and extensive goldfield. 1 will not discuss the point whether this laud be suitable or otherwise for the ostensible purposo set forth in the application, viz, agriculture, for I believe Mr Pell to be a better judge of the value of timber than' turnips. I have no doubt all the pressure that can be will be brought to bear on the powers that be in forwarding this little scheme. Ido not wish to impeach the immaculate virtue of any members of our governing powers by supposing they could be influenced by any other motives than those of the public weal. Neither would I have Mr Pell take the flattering unction to his soul that I really am alarmed at any influence he individually could exert; but I am not so certain as to who may be pulling the wires behind the scenes, or what other individuals may beconnected with the scheme, whose names have not which might be interesting to know. It is no new thing, even in our small community, for smart men to attempt to obtain valuable public property by a side wind, and so excellent a judge as Mr Pell will admit this particular area he has applied for to be very valuable, considering its proximity to our projected wharves, railways and goldfields. Therefore we must guard it jealously from all monopoly, and if necessary memoralise the Government to proclaim it a goldfield reserve.—l am, &c, George Ditnn. Giles Terrace, Aug, 16, 1873.