Original Correspondence.

Dunstan Times, Issue 213, 26 May 1866, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

(We do not identify ourselves with tJie opinion expressed by our correspondents.) Sir, —Can you enlighten your readers as to the meaning of Section 16 of the New Gold Fields' Regulations. After a careful reading of Regulation IV, as pub lished in the Provincial Government Gazette of the 11th ult., I find the fee for registering one head of water, will in future i be five shillings j now this is quite enough*

f one would think, but what was my as--1 tonishment when on making an" application for the necessary forms ; I was told it would be necessary to for each head of water applied for, as an annual rent charge, and five-shillings extra for the certificate. For my own part, I cannot find the term " rent" either in the i Goldfields Amendment Act of 1865, or in the New Regulation respecting WaterRights ; such being the case, upon what authority is the demand made. It is high time we had an intelligible code of regulations—the present code proving in a remarkable degree the incapacity of their authors—and but for the discretionary power possessed by the "Wardens, would be found worse than useless. I would suggest the Goldfields Regulation-, together with their various amendments, be sent to the Melbourne Exhibition, as a specimen of Otago's law-making, and to demonstrate to the Australian politicians the united wisdom of our men in office. w. w. w.