MINISTERIAL VISIT TO NASEBY.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume X, Issue 550, 19 February 1880, Page 2

MINISTERIAL VISIT TO NASEBY.

The Hon. W. Rolleston; Minister of Lands, accompained bv Mr M'XerroW, Surveyor-General, visited Naseby on' Saturday evening last. They had driven from B'.acks that day. As the visit had been advised, a deputation consisting of Messrs. Shannon, Lory, L. Hore, James Hore, P. Bleach, S. Ash. W. Plummer, and W. H. Ash was ready to wait on the Minister in reference to the matters of graziDg rights for Naseby and district, and „ the throwing open of more land for settlement The party arrived at about t .30 p.ir., at Horswell's Hotel, and at 9 p.m. the Minister received the deputation, which was introduced by Mr Ewing, the County Chairman, who was present to assist in explaining local and County wants. GRAZING OP BESIDENTS CATTLE. Mr Shannon, C.C., on behalf of the deputation, explained the circumstances connected with the grazing difficult}. The facts were that there were 136 owners of cattle in and around JTaseby, who suffered considerable inconvenience and loss from the action taken by some of the runholders. Many of these owners were fathers of families, who were miners, and who would be unable to live if they were not allowed to keep a few cows for the use of their families, for the alluvial ground was becoming poorer every year•» Different ways had been suggested to settle the difficulty, and some of the squatters were very liberal and fimi< ai>le in their proposals. Some, however, were not so reasonable, and one had said that he would not allow cattle to graze on his run at all. After consideration of two schemes proposed, Hundreds and Commonage, the Committee had decided the latter would be mosi su table. It had been thought that abcut 18,000 acres would be sufficient for the purpose, and a piece had been selected by which three runs would be affected in equal proportions ; and it wa3 a piece tawhich cattle naturally flocked, being swampy and very suitable for grazing. The tracing on the table represented the piece d sired. It was found to be imperative that- these men should have facilities to graze a spare cow or two, so that they would be able to keep their families supplied with milk and butfcsr. The deputation wi s appointed by the Comm tree to wait on the Minister, and to give him such information as he might desire toassist him in arriving at a conclusion. Mr. Rolleston said he was glad to meet the deputation and to listen to their grievance. Of course he was aware from documents that a grievance did exist, and he might say that he had a report furnished him on the matter. He should be glad to see the trouble settled. He believed that miners had a right to run two or three'head of cattle free of charge under the Goldfield Rules. Was that not s > ? Mr Ewing explained that no such right existed. Mr James Hore said that, so far from this being so, one of the runholders had remarked, " You haven't a right to run a single hoof." Mr Rolleston said he should be glad to see the matter settled amicably and locally amongst the parties interested. He thought it would be a pity to take any such action as this, in view of the fact that the runs all expired in a year or l two. It would be to the interest of both parties to settle the difficulty amongst' themselves. Had the squatters been asked on what terms they would graze the cattle ? Mr Shannon said that the squatters had been asked. One of them was willing to coine to some reasonable arrangement, but the others apparently were not so. One would not have the cattle at all, and others have promised to let those of ! certain heads of families go free, but still t'iuy were impounded indiscriminately. Air James Hore said that he had writinn to one of the squatters, asking on what terms he would be allowed to graze one or two milch cattle, offering to pay anything in reason per head. He had enclosed a stamped envelope for reply, but had not been favored with a response. As for the runholders' promise to let some run free, he had a promise made to him by one person to that effect, but his cattle were put in all the same. One young c )w he thought had been in about thirteen or fourteen times. Mr Rolleston asked if the number of cattle which he had been informed were running, about ten to each of the 136 o wu rs, were equally distributed amongst the population? Was it not the fact that a few persons owned the majority of these ? Mr Shannon said four or five persons only held a large number —perhaps fifty .i-auh—and the balance was distributed in numbers varying from two to ten amongst the residents. JNo doubt this difficulty had partly arisen irom the numbers held by these people, but. the squatters had made no effort to discriminate between these ?;nd the ordinary graziers. Everyone li:id to suffer; but, if a commonage were granted, thi> number of c-ittle any one person <o Jd gr:ize would be restricted, and the difficulty would in that way be got over. Mr Rolleston said that it could not, it appeared to hi be a matter of butter Jin I milk with the majority of the people. T j ri head of cattle were surely not required by one family alone for the supply o!' buHer and millr. Mr Bleach explained that this number was not m >re than sufficient. There was a grea d fference between the yield of cows in ih s district, where there wa< nothing but natural grass for them to feed on, and that, o«ing to the coldness of the climate, not of the best. One cow down country was worth several here, and here cows had to be fed both winter and summer. It was a difficult matter, too, to get cows to come in regularly, and quickly, here, and people generally found in the winter, no matter how careful they were, that a sufficient number of their cows would not come in for milking. They therefore had to go and buy, and in the summer, cows! and milk being plentiful, they could very often not sell again, and thus many people had moro cows than they wanted or

wished. It was useless to try to. sell them for beef ; for, with the poorness of the natural food, and the way in which they were driven about.it was impossible for them to get fat. The animals could not be destroyed. Money had been given for them, and a certein value must 'be got for them, or men could not pay their way. Mr. Rolleston thought the difficulty might be met to a considerable extent by the fostering of proper settlement. Meii who had a few spare cattle should go iit for land under the deferred payment system, two or more taking up one section between them. This could now be done. The idea had been originated by their member, Mr. de Luufcour, and was incorporated in an amendment land act last session. He thought the miSers — should make themselves acquainted with this principle at once, and take advantage of it, by several jointly taking up sections on Chapman's block. The members of the deputation explained that there were only two sections retraining on this block, and those were scarcely fit for occupation. ~Mr. Rolleston said that at any rate land would quickly be available. He was de- • termined to push on legitimate settlement in every possible way. -4 The Surveyor-General reminded the Minister that it would scarcely be possible to open more land till after the session of Parliament, for compensation would hare to be paid, and the vote for that purpose' was exhausted. Mr. Rolleston said in any case as much speed as possible would be employed. He thought settlement was the best remedy, and he did not like the idea of a commonage. He thought it might be possible to arrange matters so that they could get on tolerably well till the leases expired.. Besides, the cancelation of 18,000 acres at 2s. 6d. per acre compensation, would mean a considerable sum of money. . It was explained that there were many men who had cattle and families who could not leave their claims and go on toll section, and who could not affird to go in for part of a section even—who have all their capital invested in mining—but who were a very desirable class of colonists, and who, if settlement were insisted on as a complete and absolute remedy, would not be able to live. As for the cost of cancellation, that wou'si be" more than doubly met by the fir-t year's graz'ng fees. Members of the deputation also explained that they were not particularly wedded to-the idea of a commonage. They wanted to have the ; difficulty settled in some way, and, after careful thought, they cam 3 to the conclusion that the Commonage was the best proposal. They had also th of Ff m •>- dreds, but after consideration, had given up the idea in favor of a commonage. Mr. Rolleston said that both hundreds and commonages mjght be taken up for farms at any time, and it might not be ' lon/,-if O'le O ' oilier was declare !, be:*-re the depasturing area was all gone. He ; s-'fll thought it would be best to settle the' affair locally, and that the deputation might effect this l . The deputation asked if Mr. Rolleston 1 would attempt to get terms settled. Tuey had tried, but without success. Mr. Rolleston said he would immedi~ ately write to the runholders (the names of whom were then supplied him}, and would endeavor to let them see the advisability and propriety of settling thematter locally and in a reasonable spirit. [ He would also take advantage of any op= | J.or'.unify he mig" t have of speaking on the subject to those engaged in pastoral pursuits. The deputation expressed their thanks- for the interest taken, in the matter, and'the attention shown to its statements, and then addressed the Minister" on the matter of 3SOETS LAND FOS SETTLEMENT.Mr. Shannon said that the deputation also desired to bring under Mr. Rolieston's* notice the necessity of opening more land for settlement in the district, and within a reasonable distance of v aseby. A block had lately been opened on Chapman s run r but every available secti>.'E ! of that was taken up. This had all been done within five or six weeks, after the new land laws had come iiito operation.The deputation wished to urge the desirability of more land being available, and since the Minister was bf opinion that the oest way of dealing with the grazing difficulty was hymen taking up land, what was now urged was more important than eve r, for the remedy suggested could not be taken advantage of, as there was no land open. The Surveyor-General remarked that there was land at St. Bathans and Hiudon, and men could go there if they wanted it. Mr. Shannon said men could not aff ml to go twenty-five or fifty miles for land,, shifting their families, and they could not remove their claims and The long and short of the that there was not an available section of land open for settlement within twenty miles of iN'aseby, or on the whole of theManiototo PJain, and there was any quantity ot good Crown hinds, portions of winch would he hoped.be thrown open at once on deferred payments and agricultural leases. Mr. Rolleston said lie was in favor of' deferred payments principally. The Surveyor-General remarked th-t deferred payments were the most suitable. The agricultural lease system had taken advantage of by a company in i' e ■ district. The members of the depuration remarked that, notwithstanding a . had secured a number of sections in a bbek, the agricultural lease system w,>_s the best for the Goldfields. Mr. W. il. Ash said it was unju*; to punish the district, by discontinue, ' : 0 throsv open land on agricultural because one small block, of the that had been thrown open, had l„. en - n up mainly in a manner the g..ver-vi,-nt did not like. It was by no means certain, that tins company was such a very great evil; but, leaving that question onside, a very large area had taker- v«and settled on in a very desirable b.-ri-fide way, and because this block bed • * been taken up in the way desired.* there was a disinclination to throw open more land. Because some 2003 or 3000 out of oyer 40,000 agriculturally occupied in the district within the last four or five years, had been taken np i u a way di „_ pleasing to Ministers, land was now' only reluctantly Riven. The district was made responsible for the action of a number of persons who were perfectly Free a^nts Mr. Effing pointed out that the company referred to had done a lot of trood work and the members of-it-tradesmen and--others—had as mucli right to a section pf- hind ,as any other person. Mr. Rolleston said that the expenditure of the past would be taken as a guide for

Iho future. I■: ronld promise them that no time wnilrl bo lost in throwing open more land, ;in< 1 it. was his firm •k'ter-ninn-Ti■ ■ n to pu>l» on bona tide sdsL-menl in every possible 'v;iy. CLASSIC I CATION OF lipKS. The desirability of the imme<ii£>to.classification of the runs, in accordance witJi the resolution passed by the House, on Mr. de Lnutour's motion, was urged on the Minister.Mr. llolleston said he would make a bote of the matter, and would give it his attention. When the runs were cut up an OppcYtunity would be given to graziers by means of sections of land on pastoral deferred pftyrrtents, of from 500 to 15,00 acres each. This course was now being pursued in other parts of the Province. TENCINU VALUATION ON SECTIONS. The members of the deputation com plained of the excessive valuation nut on the runholder's sheep fences, which were on the sections in Chapman's block. The fences had all to be moved, and made liighcr. They Were of no use for cattle, •and a high price had to be paid for them. Mr. Rolleston said he quite understood that the fences might be, and very likely were, useless to the settlers, but the Government had to pay valuation for them, and he presumed what was charged was the value of the fences to the runholders. The only other way to be done would be 'to have the value fixed by arbitrators. The deputation was of opinion that r such a course was advisable. A fence of the description spoken of had been offered to one of its members at half the price charged by the Government, and then refused. ADDING TO AREA OF OCCUPIED SECTIONS. Mr. Lory asked if the Minister would 'assist settlers who were resident on small sections in getting their full complement. A year or so ago, a man was only allowed ; 200 acres, but now one man could hold •320. Some of the settlers on the plain 'had very snail sections" indeed—one as little as fifty t'Cres— and they wished, naturally, to increase the size ot their holdings. Land was availably and a simple instruction to the Surveyor would be sutHcient to cause the sections to bp laid off suitably. The Surveyor-General s>«id what, was asked for could not be done, according to law. Mr. Lory was of opinion that, it could be 'done, atid he believed most, of the people in tlio district were of the same opinion. The Minister, after diccus s ion. decided that the Surveyor-Geneial was right in his objection ; and that no mutter what bis will might be, lie had not the powor. VISIT TO THE M VNIOTOTO FA/UIIS The deputation asked Mr. Kolleston if he 'could make it Convenient to visit the Maniototo Plain on Monday, so as to see the crops that, could be trrown in this part, of the country, •and to see the land which *as asked for settlement. The Minister stated h's willingness to "do so, and the .'eputation, afler thanking him 'for his courtesy xrid attention, withdrew. On Monday morning, at 7 p.m., Mr. Rolleston : ecoriip inifd by the Surveyor-Genera!, and Ewing (County Chairman), J. Shann'to (O ), and W. H. Ash, left on horsehiek to visit the Pliiin—the Minister's buaay going on to tbe Kyeburn Hotel, where' : it was to wait. The party rode about a tmle and a half beyond the racecourse on the main Dnnstan road, and then followed the truck leading to Meagre,. Chapman's station, whi' h took Miem through three or four miles of m i«'ificent, land, nearly all the remainder passed through beinj of very fun* quality. Mr. Kolleston ex--prefsed himself nc being very much uleased at the quality ot the land. At the station a paddock of very fine oats was inspected, and pronounced excellent. The Minister was thus nHorded practical pooof of fhe capabilities of the hsivl, and his personal knowledge 'will be of considerable benefit to him in assisting to decide where to oren future blocks. From the stution the party rode across to the Ewcburn block In riding along, the Minister 'remarked that the bite for the proposed com'monage was excellently chosen. At the Eweburn most of the crops looked well, and Mr. Rolleston expired himself its much gratified. The'partv then followed the old Dnnstan road, which led t hem through the Maniototo farms, and that, of the Maniototo Land where the Minister alighted and 'examined some of the improvements The Kyeburn Hotel was reached at about, twelve, the party having been in the saddle for fiie hours, during which time u fine lot of cou'ntrv had been examined, and uls r a larye quantity of growing grain and root crops Before leaving the Hotel, Mr. Rolleston promised that, land shou'd be thrown open at once, and that the l'aet of the vote for the purpose being exhausted would not be allowed to interfere. The surveyors would be set to "work almost immediately. Mr. Rolleston was asked if he would have any objection to 'urni«h a copy of the report which he stated he had received from the Warden in reference to the grnzirio difficnltv. It was explained that, it was thought that, in consequence of the Warden being ptibliel known to be interested, in monetary and other Ways, with pastr.ral i.iirsuir.s, lie was not a proper person to make nn impartial report, no matter how determined lie might bo t > sink all personal considerations—if he were L resolved to do so. It was.thought that, as all ; the Committee's actiors were public there could be no objection to the Government's 'being so also. The Minister said there rould be no great 'objection to giving the copy n.-ked, but it Was a thing that wub not generally done, and there was reason in the course ndopted. He might assure those present, however, that (he report was by no means unfavorable to their View of the difficulty. The Minister was then 'consigned fo the 'eare of a deputation from Byne, consist ing of Messrs. Laverty and Ri'chey, who had been 'despatched, by the Hyde Progres-t Committee, and at about 12 30 he left to puss through Hyde, and reach Macraes that night.