NEVIS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 181, 29 April 1873, Page 6

NEVIS.

(from our own correspondent.) Mining matters still wear the same cheerful aspect as they did at the date of my last. Several fresh claims have been taken up in the river bed, in the gorge, about six miles above the township. Let us hope that success awaits the enterprising parties who have taken them up,—-for success will be richly merited, as a long spell of arduous toil is ahead of them before they can test their claims thoroughly. I hear that that successful and enterprising miner, Mr W. Harrison, has sold his waterrace at Ryder's Gully. The price I know not, but it ought to be a good one, as the property is valuable. A number of Celestials are leaving this district; turning their wandering footsteps towards the home of their fathers, where, doubtless, a joyful welcome awaits them, for they all go with a bagful of gold,—Nevis gold too. It may not be one of the things that is generally known, but nevertheless I am assured by Chinamen themselves that it is a fact, that Nevis gold is the most valuable of any that finds its way into China from New Zealand ; and this receives some confirmation from the circumstance of some of these homegoing Chinamen having purchased gold here for £3 17s. per oz., which is a shilling more than can be' got for it in the usual way of trade.

A public meeting was held in the Library on the evening of the 13th inst., to take into consideration the advisability of petitioning the Superintendent to appoint a Warden or other officer to visit this place regularly. The meeting was well attended ; and the following motion was proposed by Mr G. Stratford, "seconded by Mr W. Adie, and carried unanimously :—That a petition be addressed to the Superintendent, asking him to appoint a warden or warden's clerk to visit this place monthly ; and that the signatures of all the miners and others on the Nevis be obtained (if possible) to such petition. [ send you a copy of the petition, and as it speaks for itself, it therefore needs no comment from me.

On the same evening a meeting was held for the purpose of taking into consideration the best means of obtaining a common for the district. Mr A. Spence occupied the chair. So far as speechifying was concerned, it was mostly of that order known as conversational ; biit for all that, the matter was thoroughly discussed, and all "were united in opinion as to the advantages that the residents in the district would derive from such a boon being granted. It seemed to be the idea of most present that the run which embraces the land proposed to be applied for, is for sale ; but after due inquiry as to where this idea originated, I could not ascertain that there was anything to sustain it. However, 1 hope, for the success of the object of the meeting, that it has some foundation on fact. In \\\e course of the meeting, the necessity of having a block of land thrown open for agricultural purposes was also discussed. There was some difference of opinion on this matter. The recent collisions between the miner and agriculturist at Clyde, Moa Flat, and other places, seemed to influence some against the project ; but the evident necessity of, and the many advantages to be derived from, farming in our neighbourhood, carried the majority. 1 append the principal motions passed at the meeting. Moved by Mr , and seconded by Mr J. Dripps—That a committee be formed for the purpose of petitioning Government to grant a common for the use of the residents of the Nevis district. Carried unanimously. Proposed bv Mr J. Brown, and seconded by Mr W. Ha'zlett—That a block of ground for agricultural purposes be also applied for. Carried.

After defining the boundaries of the proposed common and agricultural block, and electing a committee, the meeting gave the customary vote of thanks to the Chairman and dissolved. (COPY OV PETITION.) "Unto his Honor James Maoandrew, Esquire, Superintendent of the Province of Otago, New ! Zealand, The petition of the undersigned miners, storekeepers, and other residents of the Nevis district, respectfully showeth : Ist. That for the last four months no Goldfields warden, or other Government official emjunvered to transact the business belonging to the Warden's Court, has visited this district ; whereas your petitioners were given to understand that a warden or his clerk would visit this district regularly on the first Monday of every month. Acting' under the belief that this arrangement would be carried out, many of your

petitioners have been put to unnecessary expense and loss of time through going long distances to the place assigned (the Nevis Post-office) for the transaction of the before - mentioned business, only to be disappointed through the non-atten-daiice of the above-named officials. 2nd. Your petitioners would respectfully draw your attention to the fact that there are about one hundred and fifty of a white population and nearly three hundred Chinese ; and that it has been 'computed by storekeepers, goldbuyers, and other persons competent to form a correct estimate, that not less than three hundred ounces of gold leave this district weekly, and that from the great extent of auriferous ground and the many other advantages which the district possesses, there is every probability of the population and yield of gold increasing. Your petitioners earnestly desire that your Honor will, upon full consideration of the foregoing statements, direct that a warden or his clerk shall visit this district on the first Monday of every month, and that the duration of the visit shall extend over that portion of the day commonly allotted to business in the public offices. And your petitioners will ever pray.