WELLINGTON.

Dunstan Times, Issue 231, 28 September 1866, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[from our own correspondent.] August 12. _ 1 Live unavoidably neglected you of late, but trust the information contained in tliis will not only satisly yfru and your readers, But convince them that their representatives are working for tho benefit of that portion of the community who returned them. The labors of the Goldfields Committee have at length come to an end. Then recommendation to reduce the Miner's llights was acted upon, and eventuated in the reduction to 10s. In consequence of this concession the Bill to reduce the duty on Gold, after it was kept before the House six weeks was withdrawn. The 10s. reduction on the Miner's Right may be safely looked on as the first installment of further concessions. The Land Act that has passed the Lower House, may be considered a boon, as by it agricultural settlement can be carried on within the limits of the Goldfields. It gives the preemptive right to purchase land at LI per acre, after three years occupation, during that time a yearly rental of 2s 0d per acre, is demanded, the only condition being improvement. The Act gives an advantage to bona fide settlers and discourages speculators, at the "same time, it does not destroy or interfere with the squatting interest. The Ministry, backed by Messrs Richardson, Bell, Campbell, Haughton, Baldwin, Cargill, Reid, Bradshaw, and Dick, succeeded in carrying the measure, though it was strenuously opposed by Messrs Reynolds, M'Andrew, and Burns, their apparent intention was to destroy the good feeling that exists between the two interests—Squatting and Mining. In this, as in other attempts, the Dunedin faction failed. It was highly amusing to witness the charign and disappointment manifested by them on their defeat. Mr Reynolds is an obstructor of no mean degree, but he makes himself extremely ridiculous ; he attempts to be witty but generally he is made the butt of his own" folly. Messrs Bradshaw and Haughton have acted together throughout the session, and honestly deserve a meed of praise. The Session is expected to hold over tho usual period, to allow of the Consolidated Goldfields and other Acts to be considered. The Goldfields Act, as before the House, embodies several clauses that, I think, if carried, will put a stop to the discontent that at present exists on the Goldfields. The following may give you some idea. It enables employers, whether an individual or a company, to obtain a number of rights, in order that they may employ wages men without their becoming owners of such rights when leaving the employ. The Wardens are delegated the whole power in mining leases. That 00U0 acres of land on each goldfield is to be set apart for agricultural purposes, on which are: 1 , free selection by the bona fide settler can be made, and that a 100 acres be the limit of ground to be leased, the clause respecting tenure is embodied in this as well as in the Land Act to ensure its becoming law. That on a petition of 000 miners, the district can be proclaimed a Mining Board district by the Governor.