SQUATTING AND FARMING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1501, 21 August 1880, Page 22

SQUATTING AND FARMING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— You would oblige by inserting the following remarks : —

I was about the first to take up land under the Agricultural System in the Wakatip district. At that time the district was all a goldfield commonage, and I took up and bought 600 acres of land under the Agricultural Lease system. After this tho commonage was sold for sheep runs, and consequently my land was of no value, as I found it impossible to fence it to keep sheep out. I struggled about three years to pay rent, at the same time reaping no benefit. Of course the squatter had every advantage, through his sheep consuming everything I sowed. After improving the land to the value of £300, I found I was obliged to throw it up. I ma.de application about a year ago through Mr Stratford, Warden, but thiough delay I had to pay six months' additional rent. Government sued me for one and ahalf year's rent, got a verdict, and I got a short time to pay it. At this time I was compelled to leave my home and family to make a living, as I found my farm was of no use to in c on account of the mobs of sheep consuming and destroying everything that came in their way. I offered to pay my rent in three instalments, but a warrant was issued, and I was compelled to sell my stock at a great loss to satisfy the above demand. At this time the squatter was running 10,000 sheep and paying no rent Now the run is sold, and the squatter is giving about as much for 16,000 aores aa I was paying for about 500 aores of the same land. It is a general impression that Ihe squatters must give way to the settlers everywhere, but it is the reverse in the Wakatip district, as settlers here have to leave on account of the encroachment of squatters, Trusting that you will oblige by publishing the above remarks. — I am, &c, Geoege Beeb. Queenstown, August 11th, 1880.