WARDEN'S COURT, CROMWELL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 84, 20 June 1871, Page 5

WARDEN'S COURT, CROMWELL.

Wednesday, June 15. (Before Vincent Pi/ke, Eaq., Judge and Warden.) AURIFEROUS LAND AT FELTON’S. W. Philippi applied for one acre of auriferous land at Prospect Plat. Mr Wilson supported the application. Mr Brough, on behalf of Mr Felton, objected. It appeared from the evidence that the claim had not been properly pegged out: the application was therefore refused. ANOTHER APPLICATION. E. Elliott applied for permission to search for gold on certain land at Prospect Flat, now occupied by Mr Bichard Felton, market gardener, &c. Mr Brough appeared for the applicant. Mr Wilson appeared for Mr Felton, the objector. 'Phe Warden: 1 can only take the evidence and submit it to the Superintendent. Mr Brough : But if you recommend it, it is tantamount to granting it. Evidence was then taken : Edmund Elliott made the following statement (not on oath) : 1 am a miner, and reside near Prospect Flat. I produce my miner's right. 1 have applied for permission to enter on Felton’s grouiM to search for gold. I have worked a portion of the ground below Felton’s house, and between the road and the river, and found it auriferous. Had it not been fur the road, I should have followed the lead right through. The nearest point to the ground in Felton’s occupation which I have worked is 200 yards distant. My mate has worked to witlrn fifty yards. The run of gold got bettor—three times better—as we neared Felton’s house. I was carting on Felton’s ground the harvest before last; we were coming down the paddock, and Felton told me to keep off a certain part. I asked “ Why ?” He sai l “It is soft.” I afterwards found there had been a “paddock” worked there. I asked him if he had found gold; he replied “Yes, a little.” I have had mining experience since 1853 ; and from that experience L have every reason to believe that there is a good run of gold through the land occupied hy Felton. I knew a man named Black ; ho said he had projected the locality, and showed me a good prospect. 1 only want to sink two or three holes on Felton’s ground ; the holes would be about 4ft. by 2ft., and loft, deep. Ido not want to damage the property, I would sink one hole near the old hut; another outside the back-door of Felton’s house ; another high up, near the head of the paddock, about 200 yards above the old hut. I would be satisfied with this ; and such trial shafts would not in any way damage Felton. 1 would fill the holes up again, if necessary. I could, 1 believe, have two holes down in the occupied ground in three weeks. The Warden ; What is to prevent the applicant putting down holes on the other side of the road, and following up the lead, without touching the surface of Felton’s ground ? Elliott (evidence continued) : I simply wish to prove to the public that the ground is auriferous, as there are rumours going about that it is a shame that I should interfere with Felton’s groan I. I believe the lead runs almost parallel with the road, and only a short distance from it. James Tickle stated ; I am Elliott’s mate, and know Felton’s ground. The run of gold is under the road, beneath Felton’s house, and along the fence. 1 saw Black’s prospects, got out of the same ground. As wc got near to Felton’s, the run of gold became richer. Two men got an ounce in a day and a quarter from surface-stull. The first paddock that we worked yielded 30oz. : two of ns were at work for six weeks. The next paddock yielded 4(!:>z., and one half of that was got in the last fortnight. We were stopped from going any further because the Road Engineer put pegs in. The ground became richer as we neared the road. Cross-examined by Mr Wilson : I left the ground to work for wages. I did so because J could not agree with my mite. The road hindered further working. Rich leads are often in places where you cannot get at them. The Warden : I cannot make any report on this application without a plan. 1 have no objection to inspect the ground myself. Mr Brough said he would sec that a plan of the ground was drawn. The Warden : Felton is, in my opinion, as honajide a holder as anyone in the country ; and if the Government have not granted him a title, it is their fault—not his ; and they will have to compensate him. Mr Brough said he wished to disabuse Mr Poitou’s mind on one point, viz., of tho idea that Elliott wished to injure him. It was nothing of the sort ; for if the ground was auriferous, and was opened up, it would he a benefit not only to Elliott, but to many others. The Warden eventually decided to adjourn the case to the ground,—at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday next. I The hearing of objections to the granting of an agricultural lease to Mr John M ’Lcan was j again postponed for a fortnight.