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Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 879, 10 November 1874, Page 2

A meeting, duly convened by advertisement, has been held at Arrowtown, to consider the question of the present commonage system. The meeting was well attended and earnest. The following resolution was proposed by Mr J. F. Healey, and seconded by Mr M'Chesney. Before it was put, upon a suggestion of Mr Cope, it was amended by the addition of the appointment of a ranger by the Board: —" That the Government be asked to institute a Board of Wardens, to be elected by the district, to conserve the country set apart for great cattle by the Bastings Government; that the said Board have full powers given them to act, and appoint a ranger in connection therewith." A Committee, consisting of Messrs Cope, Campbell, Evans, Healey, and J. Butel was appointed to carry out the resolution, and prepare a petition to the Government. Meetings have now been held in ell parts of the district upon the subject, and the text of the petition, printed in our issue of the 13th October was adopted. The Queenstown Municipal Council has been requested to act as the mouthpiece of the Moke Creek and Shotover districts. The members of the district, at the request of their constituents, have also addressed a letter to his Honor the Superintendent upon the subject, so that the Government cannot plead ignorance of the feelings of the people here. The present' Goldfields Secretary need only refer to the terms of a letter, addressed in December last by his predecessor to residents here and at Arrowtown. Upon that letter the compact for selling the present sheep country was founded. We should be sorry if the present Goldfields Secretary finds himselt unable to keep up the goldfields' revenue; but the sale of the commonage must not be permitted for the purpose of swelling it up to its lost proportions, (if any.) We are already beginning to grumble at the price of " beef." Sheep have received so much encouragement that it is quite time that the cattle shonld have a turn.