Settlement at Mount Ida.

Otago Witness, Issue 1900, 3 July 1890, Page 14

Settlement at Mount Ida.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—On the 12th inst. a deputation of miners at ■ St. Bathans waited on Mr M. J. S. Mackenzie, M.H.K.; re land occupation under the 60th clause of " The Mining Aot 1888." after hearing what they had to say, Mr Mackenzie wired to the MinUter of Landt to the effeofc that, in the event of appHoa- j tions for occupation licenies on the squatter's run being refused in the Warden's Court, he (Mr Mackenzie) would strongly urge that a block be set aside for application by miners in the district. Very graoioui, indeed, of Mr Mackenzie; but thli bit of a sop is not altogether to a digger's taste, if it should be to the squatters. Tbe clause above named is to benefit those residing on the goldnelds, and all the goldflelds abaub Otago are parb of some squatter's run. Does Mr Mackenzie think the Minister of Lands, the warden, or even the squatter, is a better judge of the situation for an occupation license than the digger who pegs out tbe area he wishes to take up? Like his working claim, that whioh he marks out he wants granted, not where another person tells him to peg. What need for setting aside a special blook when there are many small patches of land about a goldfield that would answer the wants of individual miners and their families, and ate near to tnetr homes. The class of miners who are anxious to benefit by this 60th olauie are not men with a hat full of money, that they can abandon their houses and start afresh on land that may be far remote from their mining claim. The law says a man can occupy 50 aores on a goldfield. What right has any squatter (whose run forms part of that field) to object to his ocoupying it? or the warden bo refuse his application? I answer none. Mr Mackenzie said something about it " spotting the country." He may call it what he likes; but I would like to know what man who has resided for years in a locality near bla work would be fool enough to apply for an occupation license far from his home, knowing that he is merely a tenant ab will, and may be required to relinquish it on receiving three months' notice. As one interested, I maintain that bhe applicant should be the sole judge of the place beat suited to his needs, and has a nerfect right to the soant benefit this 60th clause offers to him, for if the squatter has any say In the matter of choosing the blook, doubtless it will be useless for the purpose for which it was set aside, and merely become another reserve to be occupied for grazing cattle by some hungry land-grabber on condition that he keep | down the rabbli s thereon. Had Mr Mackeozie wired to the Minister of Justice requesting him to Instruct the warden to fulfil what the Legislature has enacted, and do fairly towards those applyinß to him for a right; under the 60th clause, lie would have done more aotual good to the mining community than by asking the Minister of Lands an unnecessary favour If \ou will kindly find space in your valuable paper for this you will oblige, Yours, &c, Digger. June 25.