Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 7 April 1856, page 5


ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

THE PUNT AT MURCHISON.

To the Editor of the Argus.

Sir,—Fully coinciding in what your cor-respondent, "A Murchison Landowner," says of the importance of the Punt at Murchison, by means of which a saving to miners and other travellers of thirty miles (and more) is effected, and that the Government ought to purchase the punt as a public convenience, I must at the same time correct the statement he has heard made,- that the proprietors of the punt refused to sell it.

Allow me to premise that I, also, am a landowner of Hutchison, but have no sort of share or private interest in the punt. By mere chance, however, the following curious story reached me, the truth of which I have every reason to believe.-

The Government demanded a very high rate of tax upon the punt. The proprietors remonstrated. The Government officials said that the reason for demanding a much higher tax than upon several other punts was on account of the great traffic,- in fact, the money made by the Muichison Punt. Thereupon the proprietors offered to sell the punt at a price somewhat proportioned to the value thus set upon it. The Government then instituted a second inquiry, and stated, as the result, that the traffic was not so great, and consequently a much less sum was offered for the punt. This the proprietors declined to accept.

No comment is required on this ludicrous way of "doing business."

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

. A LANDOWNER.