DEPUTATION.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2685, 25 September 1871, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

A deputation from Blueskin consisting of Captain Pit*, Messrs. Grant, Dickson, Hislop, and Clark waited upon His Honor the Deputy Superintendent to present a petition of which the following is the substance : * ‘ During the last two years a person has held possession of the island in Blueskin Bay, under lease from the Government, and has kept on it a large number of rabbits, many of which, in search of food, found their way to the main land on »i>e properties of the petitioners, where they threatened to become an intolerable nuisance, unless kept down. All efforts of the proprietors of the land contiguous to the Bay would be unavailing in that direction so long as the island was kept as a breeding place for them, especially as the Bay was gradually filling up and access to the island would every year become easier. One of the petitioners, Captain Pitt, lately petitioned the Waste Land Board, who resolved that the present lease should bo terminated. The petitioners observed, however, that fresh application had boon made to lease the island, and the Waste Laud Board had called for tenders, and they feared the applicants would put the island to' the same use as the present lessee. The petitioners asked that the advertisements calling for tenders should be cancelled and the island reserved, as the damage to the adjoining properties would be immeasurably greater than the rent received by the Government, and it was the only way by which the settlers could be enabled to exterminate the rabbits. The petition was signed by Captain Pitt and fifteen others. On presenting the petition, Captain Pitt said Mr Green, M.P.C. for the district, had been asked to present it, but was unfortunately compelled to go from home. One of the deputation said the petitioners desired to know what steps could be taken to remove the present lessee. He understood that he had intimated his intention to shoot anyone who attempted to put him off the island. Captain Pitt said that the island was nearer to his property than to that of any of the others, and many years ago he had offered to purchase it, but the Government was not disposed to sell it. It wag not on account of its value, for it was almost valueless : he merely wished to protect his own property. The Deputy - Superintendent : The matter will be considered, and the Government will advise Captain Pitt. Mr Dickson said the advertisement for tenders by the Waste Land Board was for October, and tbe deputation felt it was useless to attempt competing for the lease. His Honor said as far as he could see from the statements made, he should advocate the withdrawal of the lease from tender altogt - thcr, but of course he could not speak more definitely until he heard the other side of the case. Mr Dickson said many other settlers not so immediately interested were inclined to join in the petition, for if the rabbits got on the mainland into the bush, their properties would be equally affected. Captain Pitt : Supposing the Government terminated the lease, the settlers hardly knew how to deal with the man. . His Honor said tfye Government would have to see to that. Mr Dickson : If he were removed, there are plenty of young fellows at Blueskin would soon put the rabbits out of existence ou tbe island ; but so long as the present lessee remains, thpy could not venture to touch them. Captain Pitt : Rabbits were there six years ago previous to his going there, bu| when he went he put a thousand more on it. His Honor : Is the food on the island eaten up altogether ? Mr Dickson ; You never saw such a miserable place in your life. I saw rabbits out for many chains feeding on a sort of seaweed that grows in the Bay. • His Honor promised to communicate with Captain Pitt, and the deputation thanked him and withdrew.