THE HUNDREDS ACT.

Otago Witness, Issue 929, 18 September 1869, Page 9

THE HUNDREDS ACT.

JTo the Editor of the Otaoo Witness.' , SiX— After having carefully read the Hundreds Regulation Act, and also with an equal amount of patience waded through the speeohes of the various public watchdogs, I am at a loss to account for the agitation it has caused. Judicially, I only look upon the Act as so much waste paper, and for one reason only— that it will not work. ( The compensation clause seems to be the great bugbear to the •• mobocraoy j" but surely if there be a thinking man amongst them, can they imagine for one moment that this province in its present state of rottenness, both publicly and privately, could ever be in a position to remunerate the squatters as proposed by the Aot ? The thing is nothing short of an absurdity, and I cannot acocunt for my brother squatters in the Assembly, when ap. parently they had the running in their own hands, that they made such a lamentable finish. , ' I question much whether the bantling will have a very long life, and as to its utility, the sooner it expires the better. There may be a few of my brethren who differ from me on this subject, or rather, profess to do so, but I oan hardly think that there is Any other deduotion to be drawn from the Aot but that it is a failure. I cannot understand why all the agricultural class should have kicked up such a dust,; there was really no cause for such alarm. I think they" are in a far better position than the " squattooracy." Why, under the covenant clause, "Land Act, 1866," the Government oan enter into certain lands on runs, which when surveyed, will be immediately open for sale, when the inexperienced will have a chance of looking up their funds for ever. Should the Government exercise their right under the above-mentioned covenant clause, the balance on the runs in this district would be valueless, as even now in fact they are little worth. Touching the loan proposed to be Becured on the pastoral revenue, I doubt if the present rate, 7d per head on sheep, will be paid another year, as the very depressed state of both the stock and wool market will not permit of such a charge. It would be preferable to abandon the country at once than to pay Buoh a suicidal rate. ■ However, doubtless, ere another 18 months have expired, our worthy " Superintendent," the supporter of this noxious Bill, will have time to repent and reform, and beforethe time arrives, to drive the first pick into the Port Chalmers and West Coast tunnel, he will without fail have produced some popular schema or schemes, ho as to have regained the confidence of the whole country, which at pre«jnt he seems to have so irretrievably lost. The man who little more than a few hours ago was presented with a purse of sovereigns by hia constituents, is now demanded to resign unheard— rather hot ! JB oping you will oxcuso me for trespassing so much on your space, and that the few remarks I have mode may have a soothing effect on both Squatter and Agriculturist.— I am, &c, Robert Stuart, J.P. Conioal Hillfl Station, Pomahaka, September 3rd.