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Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 861, 1 May 1871, Page 2

An agitation is at present going on in the Paroa District against what we hope will prove to be an imaginary grievance — viz., the intended leasing ior agricultural purposes of a tract of known auriferous land, lying between the beach and the Stony Lead, and containing four distinct leads of gold. It will be seen by our reports that a petition, signed by about sixty miners, has been prepared for presentation to the Paroa Road Board ; but that body has, for various explained causes, not yet received it. We are not aware of the nature of the causes which led to this agitation, and the preparation of the petition, but we cannot imagine that it is seriously contemplated, in the face of the recently published Agricultural Lease Regulations, to grant a lease in that locality. The first clause of these Regulations reads as follows :— " Agricultural leases will not be granted for lauds within the boundaries of proclaimed townships, public reserves, or on land open for sale, or which may present anrifemiis indications upon survey. Under this clause, we imagine that should it be contemplated to grant such a lease, a simple objection lodged with the Warden of the district would meet all the requirements of the case ; at the same time, we must strongly condemn the apathy displayed by the Paroa Road Board when such an important matter, affecting the interests of so many of their constituents, was brought under their attention. Whether right or wrong, they were in duty bound to meet and enquire into the very serious allegation contained in the petition, and ere this, to have taken steps in the matter, instead of neglecting to meet, as they did, on Saturday night last.