Correspondence.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XII, Issue 506, 1 March 1879, Page 3

Correspondence.

MOUNT BENGER COMMONAGE.

{To the Editor.)

Sir, — I notice in your issue of the 19th ult. a report of the proceedings of the County Council re sheep trespass on Mount Benger Commonage. I must say that it was anything but creditable on the part of the member for Teviot Riding to stand up aud cross question a gentleman deputed by the ratepayers of Tevi.t Biding to wait on the Chairman and members of the Council as a deputation to protest against sheep trespass on the aforesaid commonage. Mr Mervyn says he did not intend to vote on the sheep question j but, being personally interested, he took good care not to let the chance slip when there were no objections on the part of the other members. There are only two parties who run sheep on the commonage— viz., Messrs Mervyn and MacGregor, and I can assure you they have kept the commonage pretty well stocked.

I would ask Mr Mervyn if he remembers the remark he made when seeking election. The remark was that if, at any time, the sheep question should crop up in the Council re the Mount Benger Commonpge, as he was personally interested, he would resign his seat. There is another little matter I would also remind. Mr Mervyn of. About twelve months ago the miners resident on the bafcks of the Molyneux subscribed £6 — which was paid to Mr Merryn — to defray his expenses as a deputation to the Waste ! Land Board, -Dunedin, re mining reserves. During Mr Mervyn'a candidature for the seat for Teviot Biding, at one of his meetings he denied ever receiving the £6 referred to. Now I do most emphatically assert that Mr Mervyn did receive the sum named or an equivalent amount from Mr George Mackay (of Roxburgh). Mr Mervyn appeared to be much annoyed that the ratepayers did not trust him with the petition, which was presented by Mr Smith j but, surely, Mr Mervyn cannot think the ratepayers are blind to their own interests. As regards the stock on the commonage at the present time, I estimate the number of great cattle at about 700, and sheep about 7000, to say nothing of the amount of stock that is running on the reserves. As for the ranger's billet, I would not mind having it at a fair percentage upon fines for the ensuing twelve months. — I am, &c, A Ratepayer, Roxburgh, February 24th;

A little girl was asked the meaning of the word happy. She said : "It is to feel as if you wanted to give all youif thin cyour little sister."