THE EDUCATION RESERVE.

Kumara Times, Issue 546, 27 June 1878, Page 2

THE EDUCATION RESERVE.

At a meeting of the Committee appointor at the late public meeting re the Kduaition Reserve, a petition, of which the following in a ; copy, was drafted by Mr Wylde and approved of. One c>py will be forwarded to the Hon. the Colonial Secrotary, and the . other will We jtrosented to the House of Assembly by the member representing the district, E. Bnrff, Nsq ,M. H.R. ' To the Honourable the Premier and the Members of the Executive Council of New Zealand. The Petition of the Burgesses of Kumara, and of Miners working on the Kumara goldfield, sheweth : Ist. That a portion of the goldfield and of the Borough is covered by a Reserve for Educational purposes ; that a large portion of the said Reserve has been proved to be auriferous, and that the

leads of gold are gradually being traced further through it. 2nd. That the existence of a Reserve

of this nature in the heart of a goldfield is unusual and highly prejudicial to the development of that industry on which, this part of the Colony is entirely dependant for its prosperity. 3rd. That the excessive fees and rents charged by the Board of Education for mining on and occupying the land are felt to be an intolerable burden by the miners and the business community. That, as examples of the oppressive nature of these charges, your memorialists would point to the fact that miners working on the Reserve, whilst ooliged to pay all the usual Government fees for miners rights, water rights, &c, have, in addition, to pay ' heavy fees to the Board of Education. And that, whilst persons carrying on business in that portion of the Borough which is Cnwn land are entitled to occupy town sections on payment of the sum of £5 for 'an annual business licence, with the right to give up their sections and remove their buildings at any time, those occupying similar sections in that part of the town which is on the Reserve have been forced, to take leases at exorbitant rentals, amounting in some cases to £2OO per acre per annum, without the privileges allowed to occupiers of Crown lands. Therefore, your memorialists pray that ' you will be pleased to cause a Bill to be prepared and brought before Parliament, at its next sitting, providing that the Reserve may be cancelled; or that you will I take such other steps as you may consider expedient or redressing the grievance cowcplained of.