THE BENGER BURN BLOCK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 155, 26 January 1871, Page 6

THE BENGER BURN BLOCK.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — I was not prepared for such a furious onslaught as I experienced this week at the hands of your correspondents Hannibal, and Cosmopolite senior, chiefly from the former whose effusions I cannot compare to anything else than the impotent ravings of a maniac. 1 would not have taken any notice of his letter were it not for the sweeping and unjustifiable charges which he makes against a class whom all intelligent and rational men recognise as the main stay of our country — I mean the small farmers or cockatoos, as your correspondent contemptuously calls them.

He finds fault with them for having the hardihood to ask for their just rights, in order to escape such prohibitory taxes as twenty shillings per head a year for the privilege of their cattle being allowod to graze occasionally outside their fences, no doubt levied as a preliminary to entire expulsion by the lords of Moa Flat, lie cannot see what they want with uncultivatable gravel blocks and rocky nnd steep hillocks. True, but them they havo an unpleasant habit of critically examining those things for themselves, and find that what your correspondent terms "gravel blocks" is in reality the best land in the Mount Benger district, except tho Island Block ; and they also find those "rocks and steep hillocks" are clothed with verdant pasture, and exceedingly suitable for depasturing their cattle. Taking these things into consideration, they are very thankful to the Government for at last entertaining the counsels of two or three of our foremost residents in this matter ; and also at the prospect of having soon a little more elbow room, and depasturing rights at the rate of three shillings and sixpence per head ; or, in other words, they shall be on an equality with their big neighbours.

NOW for a word or two with " Mr. Cosmopolite, sen." lie has not yet enlightened me on the subject of Mr. Kitching's ludicrons apology to the British public. In reference to the manner .by which he got his notices of application dated 18th November, not having taken thorn out or posted them until the Bth December, fifteen days after the cancellation of the Block, he attempts a rambling and incoherent statement to the effect that he could not obtain the necessary forms of advertisement. I may state, with the object of refreshing his memory, that he could obtain the forms of the advertisement in the Goldfields Rules and Regulations, which are always to bo found in the Warden's Office — but to cut this matter short. I can inform your correspondent that there can be no doubt of the apology being intended as a wretched attempt to throw dust in the eyes of the public, and to cover Mr. Kitching's neglect in not making his application until too late. Both the letters bear strong internal evidence of the writer or writer's despair of gaining the object for which they so persistently fotight ; and I can only compare the abuse and vilification, with which they abound, to the tactics of a low pettifogger, who, having no case, abuses the other side in tho choicest Billingsgate. — T am, ifcc, Cosmopolite, Jen. Mount Benger, Jan. 14, 1871.