THE CROFTERS' RAID.

Otago Witness, Issue 1893, 2 March 1888, Page 15

THE CROFTERS' RAID.

Accordiug to tho North British Agriculturist, the earlier sensational reports of the crofters' raid on the deer forests in the Island of Lewis were very much exaggerated, and that journal gives the following particulars of the affair : — At the laud law conference held at Oban in September last, Mr Macrae, schoolmaster, Balallan, who is a leader of the crofters' cause in the island, declared in the most emphatic terms that " the people of Lewis were determined to have venison to their potatoes this winter." Subsequently statements appeared in the papers to the effect that rifles whereAvitb to shoot the deer were being bought in London. Later on the islanders gave notice of their determination to start on the expedition, as their condition was desperate and aggravated by the failure of the fishing in the past season. These threats were generally regarded as mere sound and fury, signifying nothing. Eventually the expedition did start, headed by a baud of pipers and accompanied by a score of gamekeepers and ghillies, who offered no opposition to the movement, as well as by several representatives of the press, who had been invited to accompany the raiders in order that a faithful account of the proceedings might be provided. By afternoon of the same day the whole country had been informed by telegram that the raiders numbered 2000 landless cottars, who were fully equipped with rifles, tents, baggage, and stores, and that they intended to pitch their tents on the mountains for several weeks, in order that they might exterminate the deer, which were being hemmed in on all sides and shot down in countless numbers. The authorities acted with promptitude. The Ajax, one of the most" powerful vessels in the navy, was despatched to the scene from Greenock, and tho gunboat jackal was ordered to the same destination. Ross-shire was denuded of its constabulary in order to restore law and order, but the raid had ended quietly before the forces were mustered on the island."

Two days after the raiders started, the sheriffsubstitute proceeded to the scene of action. He came upon a batch of raera encamped in tbe forest, and having explained to them the serious position in which they bad placed themselves, he read the Riot Act, and called on them to disperse. The men treated the sheriff with the greatest respect, and affirmed they were driven by want to do as they had done in order to draw attention to thei? destitute condition. They declared their readiness to surrender to tho authorities whenever required, and that other members of the expedition who had returned to their homes would do the same. The expedi-

tion therefore speedily collapsed. Subsequently a nuffifcer of the raiders were attested} and others gatf© themselves up when' wanted by the authorities. Instead of 2000 crofters and cottars taking; part in the expedition, it has been definitely ascertained there were never over 300 altogether, •' while the number of deer said to have been slaughtered has shrunk in a greater proportion. This was not to be wondered at. as* the shrieking of the bagpipes was not calculated vo lure the timid deer within range of the rifles/ It is further stated that most of those who'tyere concerned in the affair were not crofters afc all,but cottars or squatters who live by fishing. The poor rate on the island amounts to 6s 6d per pound of rental.