THE PASTORAL RUNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 4618, 2 December 1875, Page 3

THE PASTORAL RUNS.

TO THE ECHOS OP THE LYTTELTON TIMES, Sib, —On reading the speeches of the various candidates for seats in the next Parliament, I notice that in answer to questions as to how they would deal with the runs in 18S0, some appear to doubt whether the Government have the legal [power to put them up to auction. Will you be good enough to publish for the benefit of your readers, the regulations bearing upon that point under which the squatters hold their runs from the Grown, so that the public may judge for themselves, as it will be understood how easy it is for candidates standing in the squatting interest to advocate before election what they may know is an impossibility, and after getting into power, legislate for their own interests, and be able to laugh at their constituents? Tour obedient servant, ENQUIRER. [The following are the the sections of the Canterbury Waste Lands Regulations, which have to do with the subject of

“ Enquirer’s ” letter. 45. Until sold, granted, or reserved for public purposes, as herein provided, the Waste Lands may be occupied for pasturage purposes by persons holding licenses from the Waste Lands Board to occupy the eame.

52. Every pasturage license shall be in the form set forth in Schedule 0 to the Waste Lands Eegulations, and shall be transferable by endorsement in the form set forth in such schedule, and such transfer shall be deemed to be complete upon notice thereof being duly given to the Waste Lands Board, and not before. (1) A pasturage license shall entitle the holder thereof to the exclusive right of pasturage over the land specified therein, upon the terms above stated. Such license shall be reserved by endorsement from year to year, until the land specified therein shall be purchased, granted, or reserved under these Begul&tions ; and the fee to be paid in respect of such license shall not be altered until May 1,1870, • This clause was amended by “ The Canter* bury Waste Lands Act, 1864,” and the follow* ing extracts therefrom give the alterations bearing upon “ EnquirerV’ question 3. If any holder of depasturing license shall at any time before the first day of May, 1866, give notice to the Waste Lands Board at Christchurch that he is desirous of holding his license subject to the fees provided by this

Act, such license shall, on and from sucht date, be subject to such fees; but this Act shall have no effect with regard to any licensee in respect of which such notice shall not bare been given before the said first day of May, 1866. 4. The annual fees to be paid in respect of any depasturing license held under the provisions of this Act shall be as follows From the first day of May, 1866, until tha first day of May, 1873. For every ran containing Less than 1000 acres, £3 sterling for every 100 acres. For every run containing 1000 acres and less than 5000 acres, £ll3s 4d sterling per 100 acres for the first 1000 acres, and 16s 81 sterling for every 100 acres in addition. For every run containing 5000 acres or upwards, 12s 6i sterling for every 100 acres. On and after May 1,1873, and'until May 1 1880. For every run containing less than fdOO acres £3 4s sterling for every 100 acres. For every run containing 1000 acres less than 5000 acres, £3 13s 4i sterling per 100 acres, for the first 1000 acres, and £l6a 8d sterling for every 100 acres in addition. For every run containing 5000 acres ae upwards £1 sterling for every 100 acres.