The Croydon Bush Tramway. TO THE EDITOB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2102, 7 June 1894, Page 29

The Croydon Bush Tramway. TO THE EDITOB.

Sib, — I shall feel obliged if you are able to find ppace to bring the following facts before the public. Some few years ago part of the Croydon Bush was brought under the Village Settlement Act, surveyed into sections, and sold for the purpose of encouraging small settlement. The inducement was supposed to be that labouring men could make their homes on their sections, seek work in the neighbourhood, and when unemployed in this way work in the bush procuring stakes and firewood. I, Sir, among others, was induced to purchase a section. Through this section ran a tramway used by the saw mill, and as it was certain in a few months the bush would be entirely used up, I had an idea the tramway could be purchased when the saw mill closed. I purchased this tramway, as it would enable me to get my stuff from the bush much more easily than by sledging. Before purchasing I consulted the commissioner of Crown lands at Invercargill, who gave his full approval and sanction, giving me authority to use ib in my business. Shortly after this hanger Campbell appeared on the scene, and ordered me to remove the tramway, asserting that the commissioner (his superior officer) had no right to gran? the permission he had done. This was done on his own authority. In case of refusal no more licenses to cut timber would be issued to me. I naturally refused to destroy what had cost me a largo Bum of money, and paid labour to put in' order. The ranger then fined me £3 for exceeding my license, but could give no proof that I had exceeded my license ; nor, in fact, had I done so. I refused to pay, and challenged proof, which has never been forthcoming. The ranger then adopted another line. He summoned me for cutting stakes and firewood illegally. As I held a license for the stakes this charge was disproved. I pleaded guilty to cutting half a cord of firewood, but as the money for the firewood license had been forwarded three weeks before, I considered I was justified. I took legal advice in the matter, which was to that effect. I interviewed the commissioner, who informed me .that if I would pay the fine imposed by Ranger Campbell he would issue licenses as usual. I paid it under protest. I was then met by a notice to remove the tramway used not only by me but by other people. A' further notice was received by me three weeks ago intimating that if the tramway was not removed within 10 days a gang of men would be sent to destroy it. I wrote unavailingly for time, but on Wednesday last (the 30th inst.) a gang of men, under the supervision of Banger Campbell, escorted by a constable, broke up the tramway. They not only removed the rails, but chopped them in two, and chopped down all the stringers of the bridges, destroying my property effectually. The result of this to me is practical ruin. The information on which the ranger acts is obtained by the aid of spies — at least, so the ranker himself asserts. He informs me that he knows every load that leaves the bush, no matter where he may be himself. The bush is an abandoned one — that is, the saw mills have been completely through it and left. The action of the ranger has practically driven all employment from the bush in spite of the fact that a large quantity of material is rotting over an area of 600 acres, and is of no value for anything but firewood. Thus, Sir, you see, e\ery impediment is thrown in the way of this industry, forcing men into the ranks of the unemployed, when this settlement was formed for the very purpose of encouraging them. Under former rangers everything was satisfactory ; but since the appointment of the present ranger no one is safe, nor can have any peace. Now, Sir, I have to respectfully request the powerful assistance of your pen to have this and similar wrongs righted ; not only in my interest, but in the interests of all labour and settlers in New Zealand. This is the only bush that can supply stakes and firewood to this large district, and so many hindrances are thrown in the way of obtaining a living that it amounts to prohibition. Ranger Campbell fines on his sole responsibility, and there is no appeal to any tribunal against his decision. If the fine is not paid you are prevented from entering the bush. The ranger further asserts he has the power, and will use it, to prohibit anyone even entering the bush for the purpose of enjoying a walk

there. I heard this threat used only the other day. I trust, Sir, you will see the necessity of such arbitrary power being curtailed. I must apologise for the length of this letter, but my excuse must be that I am the father of a large family, struggling hard to get an honest living, and I know that you may always be safely relied on to aid the distressed and the helpless. — I am, &c, George Biggar, Settler. Croydon, Gore, June 2. — Just as an ordinary Briton has his coat cut and made to fit him," so the Eskimo has his j kayak, or canoe, made according to his sizp. —In 1890 America sent Great Britain, through all channels, 23,000 bear skins, 14,000 waives, 128,000 foxes, 18,000 lynxes, 2100 wolverines, 62,000 beavers, 15,500 otters, besides 2000 odd sea otters, 103,000 martens, and nearly 9000 fishers, 202,000 mink, 549,000 racoons, 567,000 skunks, and 2,000,000 musquash. — The leading religion of India is Brahminism, the professed creed of the majority of the Hindus, and the religion most I distinctive of India. It reckoned 144,000,000 adherents in 1881. Large numbers in the north and north-west are Mohammedans (about 50,000,000). Buddhists number 3,500,000; Parsees or fire-worshippers, 74,000 ; Sikhs, 1,253,000.