AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 569, 16 April 1868, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

[tKOM. OUR OVvaT CO Irit t, S f oA’D£:>T.]

Shortland, March 31, 1868. Since my last circumstances have led me to once more man the pick and shovel, and seek for a portion of that metal which mortals generally prize so highly, and the want of which often involves the want of many of the more absolute necessaries ui lifs

The yield of these mines is gradually improving, and may be expected t continue so for some time yet, as more mills get into operation. Six have been at work some time, nine more are in course of construction, and some others contemplated. The export was I believe under 4000 ounces in Jan., over 4,100 in February, (2,200 of the last from one claim), and I shall not be surprised if in March it reaches or exceeds 5,000 ounces. I have heard that over 4,600 miners’ rights have been issued, so that the yield bears yet but a small proportion to the number of miners. It is, however, necessary to explain that the number of rights issued exceeds the number of working miners. Thus A. is a merchant or settler, buys a half share or share in a claim, and has consequently to take out a right, although without the most remote idea of working the ground ; he has to be represented at the claim by a .working miner, who also must hold a right, which is something like paying double rent to the Maori proprietors. Probably one-fourth of the rights issued represent nonworkers or duplicates, the latter owing to an absurd regulation, under which A. can only hold one share for his one right, and if he speculates in four or five different claims, must hold a separate right for each full share be holds, besides being represented in each claim by a workman also holding a right. Allowing one-fourth for du plicates and non-workers, and the oddtenth for miners who have come and gone away, I will assume that 3,000 represents the actual working miners ; 4,500 ounces a month at Gus. (I believe this is above the average value), leaves as wages to the producer apparently A 4 17s Gd each per month ; out of this must, however, be deducted 30s per ton to the millowner, and frequently from 7s to 10s for carting - which, estimating tire quantity crushed at 700 tons, takes .£1,300 oil' the total, or 8s Sd olf the average gain, thus leaving it at j£4 8s lOd each per month. This is of course hut a rough estimate, but if it errs I believe it is in giving a more favorable view than the facts, if correctly ascertained, would justify. T have already mentioned that one claim (Hunt's) exported more than the half of the total for February, so that the case of the individual miner is worse tiian even the average given would show. If oue claim yields 550 ounces per man monthly, and two or three others over 100 ounces each, how' many hundreds of the miners are working for nothing ? I believe lam quite justified in still maintaining that this is not a good poor man’s diggings, notwithstanding the few cases mf extraordinary success. 'Probably there are now from fifty to sixty claims, which either are already paying for their working, or are in a position to do it as soon as some neighboring mill in each case is ready to crush.

That the mines will benefit the Province is indisputable ; but that the average gain bears any proportion to that of \ ictoria in its palmy days, or that of Otago or Westland during the last few years, is an idea quite inconsistent with the facts.

The weather was favorable up til! the 25th inst. : since then showery. Yesterday (the 30t,h) was a trial day for many tents and shanties, as a gale from S E., with torrents of rain, tested their powers of resistance ; and our swollen brooks re-opened their old oeus. which in many cases had been unceremoniously obstructed with the debris from the claims. The flats between the teach and the foot of the hills were flooded, to the sore discomfort of the hundreds (including a very large proportion of women and children) camping on them ; and doubtless many of the workings will have been injured, where not securely timbered Many of the miners have already had huts built of raupo, rushes, toitoi, manuka, or sawn timber ; and it is to be noped that most of them will thus be housed ere winter sets in. Our Provincial r-unmdl trut through O’ b"

its labors the first week- in March. One of its last efforts was to authorise the Superintendent to soil our un» finished railway, but it is scarcely! probable any action will be taken that! w r ay at present. A year ago a sum —j =£soo I believe —was voted to obtain: the opinion of the resident agent in. Australia of Brasscy & Co., contract-1 ors. All the public got in return was: a report on it, dated from Queensland, condemning almost every important; 1 part of it, but not a word as to the probable cost of completing it. Tinhead agent w r as too busy, so he sent his sub., who came per steamer, took a few days looking at it, and a trip beyond it to the Waikato, then hurried off back to his employers. As a first-class passage to Auckland and back per steamer would cost less than £4O. the gentleman who took about a month’s holiday would pocket over <£4oo by the trip, and, as before stated, not give the slightest hint at the probable cost of completion. Lucky fellows these employees of the “ great” contractors. Even his report is said to be at fault, especially iu that he says, in condemning the tunnel, that it ought to have three rinys of brickwork ; whereas the gentleman who had most to do with the railway assures us that it has three rinys —so in that instance the Inspector condemned that of which he was in ignorance; he certainly ought to have seen before condemning.

A Financial Reform League lias been inagurated, but I cannot see how the public can be expected to have confidence in its success, seeing that amongst its foremost men are several M.G.A.’s who made no attempt to economise when in the Assembly, where action might have led to success, and at any rate would have proved their earnestness. When ce tcran placemen, too, join in, and are placed in the front rank, it is hard to believe that Financial Reform is likely to be attained. Beyond that, neither of our journals are really in favor of| thorough retrenchment. Eacli will generalise, but when in the thick oi the fight, both would fail those who I trusted to them. Each has his hobby —some particular office (or office holder) to curtail; but also some to be maintained, perhaps strengthened. As an instance, the Native Lands Courts are in favor with both journals, and the so-called Judges in these courts— I the Maori doctors—are made so much of that they actually ape the cerenco uies and bearing of the Supreme Court and its Judges. We are actually required by the journals to pay the same respect to them, and to their conduct and decisions, as to the representative of the Sovereign in the Supremo Court. As if there was any comparison between the standing of our Judges and the men who sit to try, hear, and determine, not subtle questions of jurisprudence, but questions of assent and consent, exemplified in Maori usage, or by possession. Certainly Air Fenton. Chief Judge in the Land Court, was a solicitor, but he cut a poor figure as such before he was taken in hand by the Government, and but for his Maori attainments would still be far from a first-rate position in that profession. The other Judges (so-called) are men more or less acquainted with Maori language and customs ; but the great question is possession or consent, and neither k gal knowledge nor equit-i [able considerations would answer | I against possession, or in the face of j non-consent. My doctrine on Maori affairs now is —leave them alone, provided always they will leave you alone. This is echoed in the ‘New Zealand Herald ’ and in the ‘ Southern Cross,’ but neither mean it. I would leave all questions of title outside our boundaries to those interested, sellers or buyers. When affairs are more settled, and Maori wars things of the past, then the holders by right of time would have titles equal to those held by thousands of proprietors of British soil. Within our boundaries treat all alike; and by one short Act repeal all former Acts which prescribe different treatment for Maori and Pakeba. Outside our boundary let them alone: entirely. No more need then of Native; Land Courts, as the Supreme Court would have to take the same cognitance of a disputed Maori title as of a similar dispute between Europeans—and, without titles, possession is the chief point; as, indeed, it is said to be in Britain, where possession is nine points of the law.