THE OTAGO WITNESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 256, 25 October 1856, Page 2

THE OTAGO WITNESS.

Dunedin, Saturday, October 25, 1856. In such a country as is comprised in the Province of Otago, which is so admirably adapted for rearing all kinds of stock, and for the growth of wool, but in which for many years agricultural

operations will be confined to the fertile valleys and rich plains lying on its river banks and sea-board, the stockowning interest must for a length of time be a most important one. We are therefore glad to see that the runowners have at last determined to form themselves into an Association, through the means of which their wants may be made known, and their interests bo attended to. We think it a matter of regret that something of the sort has not been started heretofore, because had there been some recognized means of ascertaining the real state of affairs, many of the evils which must necessarily be attendant upon correcting the blunders which have been committed, and remedying the neglect which has been suffered, might have been avoided. Had such an Association been in existence at the time when the existing Scab Ordinance was passed, a really useful measure might have been obtained instead of the one which became law and which we believe has been almost a dead letter. At that time it was not possible for the Provincial Council to obtain any reliable information upon the subject, so many different and conflicting opinions being given, none of which had the weight and authority which of course will attach to the opinions of the Association. This is the more to be regretted, for had some really effective measure been then passed for the prevention of the spread of the disease called " scab." an immense saving to the Province might have been effected, and the disease might by this time have been pretty well eradicated ; plenty of clean country could be then obtained at a much less cost than at which it can now be secured. It is however, useless to grieve over the past ; our attention must be directed to the future : and we hai 1 the formation of the Association as a harbinger of better times; indeed we are fully justified in the hope of improvement from the extremely liberal views expressed in the resolutions passed by the meeting at which the Association was formed. The gentlemen attendmg-that meeting seem at once to have come to the sound practical view that in this country, where there are no taxes, and the revenue is but small, little can be expected from the Government, and that whatever is to be done for the squatting interest must be done to a great extent by the runowners for themselves. From the anxiety displayed to have competent inspectors appointed, and from the liberal manner in which the meeting expressed the willingness of the flockowners to bear the burden of the expense involved, we believe we may anticipate some really effective steps being taken to get rid of that troublesome and expensive disease with which so many of the flocks in the Province are affected. That the days of the Scab are numbered, that we shall have no half measures, but that by one simultaneous and energetic action, the pest may be got rid of. The' Scab in itself may be said to be a trijling disease, and if we had to cure but one sheep, nothing could be more easy ; but from its peculiarly contagious character, it becomes a terrible scourge. One diseased sheep may infect a thousand ;— one dirty run may spread the disease through the whole Province; hence the necessity for unity of action. We therefore hope that every flockowner will see the necessity of joining the Association, and putting his shoulder to the wheel. .In concluding our observations on this branch of the subject before us, we may remark . that if inspectors such as were suggested by the meeting are to be appointed, the Government will we hope have some little consideration for the opinions of the flockowners in the appointments it makes, seeing that they are to pay the piper. Exclusive religious tenets or particular political views are not essentially requisite for an inspector of sheep, the person being otherwise duly qualified for the office. Another matter requiring the attention of the Asso- j elation, but one which will give it considerable trouble, is the boundaries, size, and stocking of runs. The Association ought to see fair play, and note j

the state of affairs in this respect. It is said that some people have such extensive runs that they cannot stock them, and that others are so hemmed in that in a very few years, they will he compelled to shift. In this matter the Association may be both an assistance to and a check upon the "Waste Land Board, and thereby render valuable public service. The last two resolutions, the 9th and 10th, passed at the meeting, are peculiar. The 9th we scarcely think will meet the"object for which it appears to have been suggested, but we see no great harm in it. In the 10th, however, there lurks a deep and suspicious character. We should like the meaning of " security of tenure" more definitely explained. Of course there ought to be " security of tenure;" no good sheep-farming can be carried on without such security, but surely a 14 years' lease is a secure tenure. The Association cannot mean that the land comprised within a run shall not be sold, or that the right to proclaim Hundreds should be surrendered; because, if so, there is no prospect, no hope of such a change in existing arrangements being effected. It is therefore useless to attempt it. The proposal of payment for permanent improvements we do not understand. What are to be considered permanent improvements ? who is to pay for them if the run comes within a proclaimed Hundred ? If buildings, stockyards, &c, only come under the description, the runholder is fully protected by his pre-emptive right, by which he can convert the land they are erected on into a freehold. This is dangerous ground for the Association to tread on. The stockowners must bear in mind that their sheep and cattle are but the precursors of human beings, and that when the land is needed, the sheep and cattle m ust give way to population. Supposed Murder. —Considerable sensation was produced in the Town of Dunedin during the week by the report that a murder had been committed at the native village at the Otago heads. As far as we can learn, the facts of the case would appear to be as follows : —A native chief, whose anglicised name is Jacky White, had a dispute with his son, a young man of about 24 years of age. The dispute arose about a horse, which the son alleged the father had given him. Jacky White became enraged at his son and threatened to kill him, but was for a time restrained. The deceased endeavoured to get away, and in doing so was climbing over a fence, when Jacky White struck him repeatedly on the head with a stick, causing him to fall, it is said, with his head upon a broken iron pot. The deceased never rose again, but after a few convulsive movements of the limbs, expired. The Resident Magistrate, attended by the Chief Constable, went on Tuesday to the scene of the occurrence and returned with the criminal in custody. A post mortem examination of the body has been made by Dr. Hulme of the " Strath-" more," but no inquest was held in consequence of the absence of the coroner, who had a few days previously started for the North. The case would have been proceeded with yesterday but owing to the illness of Mr. D. Scott, no duly qualified interpreter could be obtained in Dunedin, and the examination has been postponed until the arrival of Mr. Hertslet from Moeraki. The deceased has left a wife and 3 or 4 children,

We have to call the attention of our readers to the meeting on the subject of Education which is to be held in the Mechanics' Institution, Dunedin, on Wednesday the 29th October, at 6 o'clock in the evening. It will be well that the ratepayers generally attend that meeting, as it is not possible to say what course may be pursued, or what proposals may be made at the meeting.