THE HAURAKI GOLD-FIELD.
[EROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Shortland, April 30. The latest news here is concerning the revolution in public opinion on the Civil Commissioner, James Mackay, Esq., jun. That he has been an able public servant cai.not be denied; but like many another public officer, he has been spoilt by over praise. Had the p:-ess pointed out bis mistakes in a favorable manner, he might have left office with the goodwill of ali classes. From the opening of this goldfield until quite lately, he has been a sort of demigod, whose acts were not to be criticised, and when commented on at all, jfc was in praise. JNovv he has gone down in public opinion, and anyone may pitcii into him. How is this ? He has advertised to holders of allotments in Shortland that they may have leases for seven, four teen, or twenty-one years ; but the rent to be liable to be risen at the end of the fourteen years. Some of the holders assert that he promised them twenty-one years* leases, without any word of auy alteration in the rent, which was fixed in the first instance by himself. If that account be true, it is a clear breach of faith on the part of the Government, whose agent he Wis, and still is. Tne published version of the original aoieement betwern the Governor and the jttaori owners states distinctly that any townships to be laid out are to be leaseu or let by the Government, which is to fix. the rent, and receive it, but afterwards pay it over to the maori owners. Mi Mackay, as the Governor's representative, did let the laud, and fix the rent; consequently any attempt to throw the occupiers? on the mercy of the owners is a distinct breach of faith. Mr Mackay has for some time, perhaps twelve months, filled a very anomalous position, such as probably no other officer under the British Crown fills. First, he was Civil Commissioner, the exact duties of which office 1 will not attempt to defiue At any rate, he appeared to have unlimited powers on many matters, and could bargain away publio money at discretion. Secondly, he acted as an agent for buying maori land, and passing it through the Land Court, not only for the Government, but for private individuals, who chose to engage him. His power in that Court is great, as has been seen on some occasions where bis clients were likely to lose their uuils. Thirdly, he is a speculator in maori land on his own account. Fourthly, he acts as confidential agent to the Taipari-, vho have hitherto been recognised as the principal of the owners of Shortland. Thus he sets ut defiance that indisputable law, *' No man can serve two masters." He once publicly cautioned anyone and everyone against leasing or renting any land (here) from the maoris; one speculator says he sent the police to him with threats on that subject; yet not many days after he acknowledged (which wa* practically to confirm) the titlo of one spe culator, Mr B. Gnham. That affair did jiot look well; and now other matters shed light on it. He has in like manner allowed the same Mr Ji. Graham to acquire titles to land which was part of the actual gold field, where men were living, and in some instances mining, on the faith of their holding miners' rights j now Mr Graham demands rent for them ! What sort of a Government are we under that allows such things? Again, the Government invited miners to come, on the distinct understanding that every holder of a miner's right was entitled to a residence site ; but Mr Maekay, in his double capacity of Govern ment agent and agent of the Taiparis, surveys the available terraces where many miners have erected huts, cuts into small lots, and by public notification informs the occupiers that they must pay rent to him at the rate of £2 ss. each lot, the first vear, and now further informs them by pubijc advertisement that after 3 une 1870,
they will have the chance of leasing their holdings at an advanoed rent! If such a thing as equity existed in New Zealand,! such an attempt at extortion from a class of poor men would never be heard of. It is only giving the maoris two rents for the ground instead of the one for which they bargained. Probably four-fifths of the working miners are only wages men, or worse, working non payable claims for 10s. lZs. or 14s. the week and a half share.
How is all this explained ? Only one way that we know of. Mr Mack ay may, and probably will, make a fortune ; and he has set about that in earnest. The public service he is said to have resigned, as he can get more money through the maori agency, which is probably true. As he appears to have the power, at pleasure, to increase the income of the Taiparis in the manner I have already pointed out, they tnight find it their interest to pay him, not only one thousand yearly, but several. His conduct, although uneqiutable, may be strictly legal. Lhe Government have the right to lay out and let townships ; but where is that power to be exercised? Is the whole block to be made townships, in order to prevent the miner having the residence site to which he is legally entitled ? Theoretically, we are on Crown land ; but if it were really so, the Government would never attempt the extortion that is now practised or sanctioned by their officers.
May 4, 1869. Building is still going on j houses, shops, hotels, chapels, and crushing mills keep rising. Capitalists must have considerable confidence in the future of this district. That there will be employment for a large number of peopl<; for years is uudoubted The rates now charged for crushing are litt'e over half what they were a year ago. and will probably be yet lower. In the poorest ores, the difference between over thirty shillings per ton and fiveteen makes all the difference between payable and nonpayable. Tiie general yield is certainly not equal to average wages to the workmen ; but the yield will most likely increase, and if not, at any rate it will be more spread than hith-rto. The ,'prizes" in the trreat lottery "The Shotover," the "Golden Crown," the "Manukau," &c, will attract capitalists, and induce prospecting, be the average yield ever so low. Company 'Orniiug is now the rage ; these companies are of two classes : first, the shareholders in a payable claim form themselves into a company, for convenience and economical operations ; such may be termed " private companies,'' and =-everal of them are paying good profits ; second, " public companies," got up with a promising prospectus, (in many cases containing a number ol statements that are calculated to mislead the public), and intended to work either an untried or a worthless daim ; I am not aware that one of this class of companies has yet found anything profitable to the shareholders. Most of these will be kept afloat as long as 'heir promoters, managers, &c, cau induce the shareholders to supply any cash, and then will be wound up. Perhup3 one out of every score of them may be fo tunate enough to strike something payable, leaving the nineteen to learn by experience that it is not all gold t'mt glitters. Meanwhile the credulity of the general public seems to continue almost unchecked One oi' the first-formed companies is being wound up, a second is ready for that process ; but most of them will bo able to go on a year or so. I have not learned that any gold has been exported lately, but I suppose the banks have got a few thousands of ounces by them. 1 still expect this year's export to average 20,000 oz. monthly, although so far it has fallen considerably short of that quantity. The Kights issued this year represent something like an average of nearly 7,000 per annum.
Volunteering is the rage ; already five or six companies have beer, organised. The moral effect of this on the maoris v>ill no doubt be good.
The Native Land Court has been near getting up a serious row lately, by a deci sion on the Te Aroha lands. The decision might be of itself stnclly equitable, but the losers of the suit did not choose to accept that decision ; and the successful suitors would risk their lives if they attempted to take possession ; however, they are wiser than to do that. Either a rehearing, or the land must lay a 9 •' debateable ground," will probably be the result.
May 5, 1869. It appears the Shortland occupiers hare come to terms with Mr Mackay and the Taiparis, under which the advance in rent is fixed at Is. and Is. 6d. per foot at each term. But they would not have got off so easily if they had not acted with energy and determination, and unitedly. The expected visit of the Prince is now the topic of the day. A reception committee was formed at a public meeting, and a chairman, a treasurer, and a secretary appointed ; next, a programme was drawn up, under which none but the aforesaid threo officers were to be allowed on the wharf when the Prince landed! Another committee has been since organised to get up a banquet, the principal movers in the first committee having declined to undertake that business. Mr Clarkson, one of the four fortunate first owners of the " Shotover claim,' has offered to place his carriage and horses at the Princo's service, and the offer has been accepted by the committee. The carriage referred to was built to order in Auckland, and is probably the most handsome vehicle in this island. The offer was handsome, as the owner docs not let his carriage out for lure, aud consequently will not be able to make more than its value after by charging higher rates for " the Prince's carriage," as an Auckland speculator will do.
J In Auckland the first meeting over the proposed reception witnessed a passage at farms between'the Superintendent and M' J. 0. Firth, anent the omission of the usual loyal toasts at the ",St Patricks banquet hero. The Superintendent as sened that his loyalty was equal to that o 1! his critic, but otherwise made an excust-I " that the meeting had not refused to pledge the Queen because they were not| asked, &c;" whereas his own apologists at the time stated, and it was never contradicted, that he spent a long time arguing, the question with the promoters of the banquet, and even wrote a long memorandum to induce them to accept that toast, out without success ; yet his loyalty did not prevent his presiding at the banquet, after he knew what was to be omitted. It is not that he is personally disloyal, but his relish for public feasts appears to be so strong that it is not to be denied its grati fixation.
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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 684, 24 May 1869, Page 4
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1,852THE HAURAKI GOLD-FIELD. Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 684, 24 May 1869, Page 4
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