The Evening Star SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2054, 4 December 1869, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1869.

are many curious enquiries put to us respecting the sales of land up the country, that we find impossible to answer, simply because there is in all Government movements a degree of secrecy that is deemed necessary to the dignity of office. It is perfectly true that the proceedings of the Waste Land Board are professedly open to the public, and the records of proceedings are published through the Press ; but, some way or other, certain classes seem to gain whatever object they set their hearts upon, while others are almost as certain to be disappointed, William Howitt, in his introduction to the “History of the British Aris- “ tocracy,” tells a story of a Yankee and an Indian going out shooting, and agreeing to divide their game equally at the close of the day. All they got were a turkey and a crow. When the division was about to take place, the ' first proposition came from the Yankee, who, speaking very fast, said: “I say, “ now, Ms have fair play. Here’s

“ only two tilings for us ; either 111 | “ take tlie turkey, and you take the _ <£ crow ) or you take the crow and 111 “ take tlie turkey.” The Indian, he- . wildered by his volubility, scratched ; liis head and said : “ Well, it ( “ sounds very fair—but some way “or other you always get the “ turkey and I always get_ the “ crow.” William Howitt introduces this illustration to show, that in the struggle between public right and aristocratic might the latter prevailed ; and that by making wrong appear right, the aristocracy had contrived to obtain and hold possession of land, place, and power. 'When the clodocratic Government took office under Mr Reid, the Province expected immaculate purity in the administration of its affairs. That gentleman was constantly pointing to the corruption at work, and denounced in righteous indignation the unrighteous practices of some of the Y ogel Administration. He held that land was not attainable by the farming and settling classes that the public revenue was sacrificed to private interest; and that waste and extravagance were in all departments. Of course, the Province expected a vast improvement in the moral status of Government when squattocracy paled before clodocracy. It would have been contrary to all historical experience to expect much material progress. Had the spinningwheel graced the cottages of farmers at Home when our agricultural population left their native land, the highest ambition of the clodocracy would have been to have swathed themselves in flannel, and snored between blankets the product of home-spun wool. If a wicked lump of gold had dared to crop up its jaundiced face above the innocent earth, they would have covered it over lest mammon should have dominion over them, and an army of immoral diggers spread themselves over this fair land. Fortunately for mankind, Otago is not destined to be an Arcadia. Rut if it is to be what it ought to be, there must be a strict and determined watch kept upon what is passing, and it will not do to let the indications of some class “ always get- “ ting the turkey ” pass unnoticed. With regard to the sale of the Island Block, with all its auriferous treasures, it will be difficult to convince the public that there was nothing behind, that, if disclosed, would be alike discreditable to purchaser and Government. Should the latter be placed on their defence, they will necessarily be like the Yankee, who talked very first, and with every appearance of fairness prove his right* to the fairer and weightier portion of the spoil. But say what they may, the fact remains that although known to cover vast treasures, and with numbers ready to occupy it whose aggregate contributions to the wealth and revenue of the Province would have far exceeded those ol the single speculator into whose hands it has fallen, the public will never believe otherwise than that it was withdrawn from occupation by agricultural lessees to give him the opportunity of purchasing it. Then comes another nice little job. On looking over the names of purchasers at the late sale of land in Shag Valley, the two who have made most of the land their own are Mr F. H. Bell and Colonel Kitchener, through Messrs Gillies and Street. Wc have no narrow views respecting speculators and capitalists. It is for them to judge how best to invest their money, and if everything can be proved to be fair and above board, if they can afford to give more for the land than other people, we suppose they have modes of using it that will enable them to derive a greater revenue from it. But there are ugly reports concerning the manner in which ; the sections have been laid out. We are told that these purchases are only preliminary : that the water frontages . are now the property of the present purchasers, and the back country, use- , less without them, that remains unsold will eventually fall into their hands at low prices, because the pick of the land is theirs. If this be true, and. we have every reason to believe it is, it is hi°h time others should have a chance of°getting the turkey as well as those who, through some secret influence, contrive now to get it. The Waste Land Board was intended to be a safeguard against these abominations : Has it been made the tool ot a class ? The Waste Land Board of Kelson has prostituted its powers for private gain : Is that of Otago equally venal 1 We • shall be glad to receive correct information on the details of all subjects connected with the administration of Waste Lands ; for although we do not like to find fault without a cause, if the public are to be protected, it must be through the Press.