THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1146, 1 April 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1872.

A subject intimately associated with the InangahuaDistrictis the number of gold mining leases, about which there has been so much argument and excitement of late. -4x>l>~ — .— .n... .-— i- lw-u«.lll-gtfltig uiij raittt ulio difficulties surrounding tho question are showing more and more apparent. When the population was thin and scattered the' matter was easy of solution, but it is different now. On the one side the persons who marked off, and applied for leases for large areas of ground previously unoccupied, think a hardship will be inflicted on them and an injustice done them, if their applications are refused, through the opposition of persons who perhaps never knew of the existence of this Gold Field until the present rush set in. On the other hand, these new comers are not inclined to allow what they consider a monopoly of the most likely auriferous land in the district by the older residents, merely because of the accident of priority of occupation. They argue that the ground is not beneficially occupied under the Leasing Regulations, and that the clause which virtually shuts up the land from the time the application is made until it is finally decided deprives the individual miner of his just, claim under his miner's right, and creates a monopoly in favor of the co-adventurers who apply , for the lease. • There is inuoh to be said in favor of both sides, and the difficulty appears to be that heavy stocks could be laid in for the . approaching winter. None of these prognostications of snowing up, raging floods, and consequent starvation were fulfilled, and no great alarm need be felt for the safety of those who choose to winter on the Inangahua. The weather there is not, on the average, any worse than, it is in the Grey or Buller Valleys ; if anything, the Inangahua has the advantage in being drier the year round. It is not here the danger 'lies; it is in over-crowding the place beyond tho possibility of absorption with a strange and comparatively helpless population, as has recently taken place have arisen chiefly through the negligence, to give it a mild termj of those whose business it is, and for which they are liberally paid, to decide these appjicatioris at Nelson. The apologists for this official neglect or laziness say that it would be inexpedient to grant important applications such as those f orgold-miningleases .without due inquiry, arid, that strict examination is necessary to prevent or detect misrepresentation. This is right, provided the time elapsing between the date, of the application and the final disposal of it were occupied in making these inquiries. But when the applications are allowed to hang fire for nearly twelve months, as is the case in one or two instances, people become suspicious, especially when the ground shut up is on the direct course of a good reef in full work. Other leases have been granted in the meantime, about which it was just as necessary to make inquiries, and therefore it is reasonable to suppose that there must be some other cause for the delay in granting or refusing i those leases applied, for for such a length of time. These are some of the reasons! why tho leasing regulations are so unpopular, except among those who' have secured large areas of ground in good localities under them. If these regulations were carried out in their integrity ; they are suitable and workable enough. ' When it is made compulsory, under the penalty of absolute' forfeiture for non- 1 compliance, that' the conditions under which they are granted must be observed, especially with respect to the clauses regulating the number of men to be employed on every acre, they will be found to give satisfaction. They do not give a-

monopoly of land, because nearly the same quantity as that usually granted can be held under miners' rights by the same number of miners, and the advantage they | possess is that they confer a good title. It is in the abuse of the privileges conferred by them, and the lax enforcement of the conditions attached to them, that the danger lies'. There is something also to be said on the part of those who applied for and had leases granted them in a boiia fide manner, and who are complying with the conditions of their grants in every particular. These leases are liable to be subjected to vexatious interference at any moment under tho present state of things, at the instigation of persons who do not seem to require leaseholds or freeholds, or any other kind of a hold, as long as they can continue to keep an agitation alive and thrust themselves prominently before the public. If the Superintendent or other members of -the Nelson Executive can be induced to listen to and temporise with these people, there is no knowing what may be the consequences, as long as his Honor has the power of cancelling the rights of legitimate holders of leases. Already a desire has been exhibited in certain quarters to enter into explanations on the merits or demerits of this and other questions with those who have no right to demand such explanations. The leasing regulations are in existence, and whether they are right or wrong, suitable or otherwise, is another matter ; if they are wrong they ought to bo repealed, and if unsuited they can be amended ; but tho ! Wardens are tho officers appointed to judge of the bona fides of every application made under those regulations. It has always been understood that when the Wardens recommended the granting of a lease, and it was granted on such recommendation, there was an end of tbe matter. Such does not seem to be the case, and the Wardens are not the men they are generally supposed to be, and in whom the greater body of the miners repose bo much confidence, if they much longer brook this impertinent interference with their ; j Urisdiction or prerogatives.