Small Grazing Runs.

Otago Witness, Issue 1989, 10 April 1890, Page 16

Small Grazing Runs.

Editor Witness,— Sir : Some anonymous, and, therefore, not-to-be considered letterwriters, whether inspired by interest, or ignorant of that whereof they wrote, I know not, have lately been putting forth misstatements in your columns anent the effect on mining operations that, as they assert, would result from the carrying out of the small grazing run system. It is more serious to find that the same ignorance, if ignorance it be, per* vades the official circle. I observe that at a recent meeting of the, Land Board a goldfields officer reported that there was no objection to grouping certain sections as a small run " because the land was not required for mining purposes." The advice is excellent — I know the country— but the reason is absurd. The issue of leases for small grazing runs does not in any way interfere with the miners' privileges, as witness the following : — "The lands comprised in the lease shall bs subject to " The Mines Act 1877," and to all regulations made thereunder ; and eveey HOLDER OF A MINER'S RIGHT OR BUSINESS LICENSE MAY EXERCISE THE SAME RESPECTIVELY OVER LANDS WHICH MAY BE LEASED UNDER ANY part of (this act." (Subsection " f," section 203, Land Act 1885.) Although " The Mines Act 1877" has been replaced by "The Mining Act 1886," this provision i 6 continued in force by section 285 of the last-named act, which provides that : — " Where in any unrepealed act reference is made to any act or to the provisions of any act repealed by this act, such reference shall be construed and shall operate as if it had been made to this act or to the provisions thereof, This is rather tortuous phraseology, but ita application is plain. The "unrepealed" Land Acfc of 1885 and its provisions apply to the Mining Aot of 1886 as if made thereunder. A miners-right holder, or business-license holder, is therefore as free to exercise all the privileges conferred ' thereby under the Mining Act, upon and within a small grazing run as on any pastoral lease or license. There is a subsidiary consideration which may be worthy of notice by those concerned. By section 208 of the Land Act, local bodies, county councils, and road boards are entitled to receive one-fourth of the rents of small grazing runs, "to be expended in the construction or maintenance of roads and bridges leading to or opening up such lands." Hence, perhaps, arises in part tho Minister's objection to these small gbazinq kuns. Their existence helps to replenish the local treasuries for the advancement of local works, and there ia no part of the rents of pastobal leases allocated for the same purposes. Hence also should the local bodies favour the system which plants the most settlers and most taxpayers on the land and affords them the most income both directly and indirectly.— l am, &c,, Pa-Taotara, April 5. Vincent Pykb.