SALE OF LAND AT PAROA.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1386, 9 January 1873, Page 2

SALE OF LAND AT PAROA.

(to the editor.) / SiJfcT-It is currently reported here this morning that there is a blrck of land to be disposed of to-day by the Waste Lauds Board. The number of the block ''is unknown, but, as report has it, the block is situated nearly at the back of the Paroa township, includes a portion of , the Stony Lead, and extends towards the foot of the Deep Lead workings. It also includes within this area the Leviathan and Great Extended Water-races and other water rights. This block, as well as all the land between both these leads, has always been considered to be auriferous, and has been lately proved ;to be so. If this land is sold it will be a great injury to the neighborhood, as it will prevent the future working of the Deep Lead terraces, which are many. It is fair sluicing ground, and unmistakeably it will pay with a good head of water ; there is a good quantity of it, and I have no doubt that in two years hence it will be the mainstay of this place. A few years more will exhaust the beach workings, and if this land be sold to "land sharks," what will become of the miners and their water-races ? Hemmed, in as they will be, if the Waste Lands Board pursue the course they vow intend, no ground left them to work, they will be obliged to accept one of two alternatives, viz., to abandon their races, leave Westland, or buy sluicing ground from the land jobber. This would be a sorry fix to be placed in after spending two years' labor in making some of, these races, and it is a well-known fact that there is no ground in the place that would pay you any remuneration if you had to pay for ;the land. If the , Waste Lands Board persist in carrying put this scheme, they do so for the benefit of the few, if benefit I may call it, to the exclusion of the ■mauy^-the tone and sinew of the locality. It is an undisputed fact that all the land between the Deep Lead and high-water mark is auriferous, and the Waste Lands 'Board ''under any pretence should not dispose of it. There is a large population here at present, principally occupied at sluicing, and if this ground is sold from under their feet, what will be the consequence ? A regular stampede. I think it is the duty of the Waste Lands Board to reconsider this matter if they have an eye to the prosperity of this district, and -proclaim this belt of land, from the New River to the municipal boundary of 1 Greymouth, and from Mgh ; water T mark to the i De6p Lead jas a mining: reserve. This will prevent any future trouble to the miners, and induce them to expend labor and money to fetch. water ondfc. The men that are intruding on these lands must have some peculiar object in doing so. They won't clear it or cultivate it, bur' leave it a stumbling block in the way pi the miners, which makes them feel insecure in their tenure, unless it be to bear the proud distinction of the . sonorous patronymic of property holding. Trusting that you will use your able pen in putting this important matter before the public, and that the Waste Lands Board will take immediate steps to remedy this pressing evil, I am, &c, GROUND SIUICER.; Paroa, January 7, 1873.