SIXTY YEARS AGO. FROM THE Otago Daily Times. “Inveniam viam aut faciam." TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1864.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19258, 23 August 1924, Page 10

SIXTY YEARS AGO. FROM THE Otago Daily Times. “Inveniam viam aut faciam." TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1864.

We have received a letter complaining in very strong terms of an arrangement or, as tho writer terms it, a conspiracy by which a block of very valuable land was lately purchased at a Government land sale at the upset price of one pound an aero. The persons in the room who sent in the applications that qualified them to become bidders entered into an agreement amongst themselves as to the several lots each was to buy, and consequently there was no competition—a block of tho best laud in tho Province passed away at the upset prico of a pound, probably less than half its value. Tho correspondent writes very indignantly and asks that tho Government should prosecute the parties to this arrangement lor conspiracy, as ho states in a similar instance was once done in New South Wales. At first sight his proposal appears very natural, and one feels inclined to aceodo to it. But looking at it a little more closely its fallacy becomes apparent. Wo do not wish to express an opinion of the morality of tho transaction, but this is certain it is not only within the palo of the law but is of a nature contemplated by the framers of tho Otago Land Jttegnla lions. . .