KUMARA EDUCATION RESERVE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1025, 14 January 1880, Page 2

KUMARA EDUCATION RESERVE.

[to the editor.] Sir—l have the honor to forward yon for publication a copy of the Kumara Education Reserve Bill, as introdueed to the House of Representatives. The amendments are shewn in the case of erasure by beiDg within brackets, thus [ ], and the additions are shewn being in small capitals. The amendments, which I humbly claim credit for having been chiefly instrumental in bringing about, are as follows J—Under , clause 4, as introduced, the Bill did not give power, to deal with existing leases, and which if passed as introduced, would have only applied to leases thereafter granted, and have given no relief to existing leases. The wordn added now bring all leases to be dealt with as provided for by clause 7. The amendments in clause 6 are only of a technical nature. The amendments in clause 7 are such as will, I think, commend themselves to those interested. The question of the land being auriferous or non-auriferous cannot now be raised, and seeing that the whole of the lands on which the town of Kumara is built are more or less auriferous, if the clause now remained as introduced, no sale of sections could have taken place. The other amendments in this clause are that the Governor sells with the consent of the Commissioners, instead of the Commissioners selling with the consent of the Governor in Council, and also makes the question of sale easier and more compatible with existing laws relative to the sale of lands.

The amendment in clause 8 was made so that by striking out the words " net being auriferous" it would enable the Commissioners to select lands in Westland, and also gives them the choice of taking other lands for the whole of the Kumara Reserve, which (if they adopted this course) the lands now held would then revert to the down.

Having now dealt with the Bill and amendments, I would respectfully suggest the course of action to be taken> so that the benefits intended by the lature may be conferred upon those interested.

1. It is necessary that a public meeting should be held and resolutions passed asking the Governor, under clause 1, to cause the Act to come into force at once, so that the miners may take up claims and rights, the same as on the gold6elds. 2. That resolutions be passed asking that sections be sold with as little delay as possible, sseing that the yearly rents for the majority of sections soon falls due.

3. That the question of fixing upset price be discussecL 4. That an executive committee be appointed, whose duties shall be—'lst, To wait on the School Commissioners and endeavour to come to an amicable arrangement with them relative to terms and conditions of sale. 2nd, To draw up' regulations, nnder clanse 5, and submit same to the Governor and School Commissioners. 3rd, To act for and on behalf of miners and sectionholders in any matter that may crop up from time to time in arranging matters as between the Governor, School Commissioners, and those interested*

And I venture to say that if a wise discretion be exercised in selecting a managing committee, and that said committee meet the School Commissioners in a' fair and liberal manner, our troubles re Reserve will be at an end, and the principal drawback to the success of this district removed* I feel also assured, seeing that the net profits on the Reserve for the year 1878 were only £l3 19s sd, that the School Commissioners will not throw any obstacle in the way of having the matter finally and speedily death with. In conclusion, I wish to add that I was' under the impression that the various bills introduced in the House were forwarded with the parliamentary papers to the Press of the colony; otherwise. I would have forwarded a copy of the Bill, with amendments, from Wellington, so that you could have published same. Since my return I must plead the festive season of the year a 3 an excuse for not having brought the matter up sooner. Trusting that the measure as passed may prove satisfactory to all—l remain, <fec, B. J. Seddon, M.H.R.