THE KUMARA EDUCATION RESERVE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1104, 14 April 1880, Page 3

THE KUMARA EDUCATION RESERVE.

* DEPUTATION TO COMMISSIONERS. [From the West Coast Times.] A deputation of residents of Kumai'a, consisting of Messrs Seddon, M.H.R., the Mayor of Kumara, Messrs Dungan, Wylde, Barff, Drnmrnond, Campbell, Mulvihill, and O'Hagan, waited on the School Commissioners, at half-past-two yesterday, at the Education Office. The Commissioners piesent were the Hon. J. A. Bouar. in the chair, Dr Giles, Messrs Duncan, and Mueller. Mr Seddon, M.H.R., said that during last session the Kumara Education Reserve Act had been passed. The Act would come in force on such day as the Governor-Council should appoint. By their silence during the passage of that Act, it seemed as if the Com missioners had given a tacit assent to it. The question 6rst was, if the Commissioners would raise any objection to the Act coming into force. The Chairman said so far from the Commissioners having tacitly expressed any opinion, they were not aware of the passing of the Act until the prorogation. They had never been asked by the Government to express an opinion. It was a matter between the inhabitants of Kumara and the Government.

Mr Seddon understood there had been a report from Dr Giles on the subject.

Dr Giles had reported eighteen months ago. Since then he had been asked to confer with the Warden of the district and other Commissioners. Nothing however had been done in the way of a formal conference. Mr Seddon observed that education was now provided for out of the Consolidated Fund, so that it was not necessary to keep the reserve. The rentals paid by the residents of Knmaia were very high, and people did not care about improving leaseholds. When the diggers had rooted over the ground it would be of no further valuo. It would be bett,?.,to sell the reserve as soon as possibltif The deputation asked for the i*elieE contained in the Act. Nothing could" be done until the Act came into operation, nor afterwards, unless by consent of the Commissioners. He asked for an expression of opinion from the Commissioner.-;.

The Chairman said the Commissioners sought information from the deputation. They wished to learn the

views of the pople of Kumara, in connection with the details of the Act, before they formed an opinion themselves. Mr Barff said unless the Commissioners definitely said that they were not opposed to the Act, any further conference would be useless.

Mr Wylde said the matter wa3 one of great importance to the people of Kumara, The Act ought to be brought in force as early as possible. At the present time toil-raws were coming into the boundary of the reserve, which Was known to be thoroughly payable for ground sluicing. Mr Duugan said the Act met with views both of property holders in the Borough of Kumara, and of the miners. Matteis, as they new stood, were prejudical to both these interests.

It was then decided to review the clauses of the Act.

Clauses, 2,3, and 4, were passed without much discussion.

Clause 5, Mr Seddon—lt was the opinion of the deputation that the same fees should be charged on the reserve as on Crown Lands, and that the person who should receive them ought to be the Warden's Clerk who could pay them over to the Commissioners. The miner's rights fee must, by law, go to the local body.

The Chairman said in that case the Commissioners would be losers. He tjok it that miner's rights, and indeed all fees for miring on the reserve, should be paid to the Commissioners. If they were not to receive these miners 5 rights fees, it certainly became a question for them to consider.

Mr Dungan did not see why this should be an objection, seeing the Commissioners did ; not get or ask for these fees now.

Mr Seddon said that County or Borough Councils had no power t.o refund any moneys received for miners' rights, without special legislation. Mr Bai-ff urged that Kumara would be better settled, if not placed uuder exceptional treatment. One gentleman paid at the rate of £2OO per acre per annum for his section, and others at the rate of from £6O to £l2O per annum. They were thus placed in exceptional circumstances and very heavily handicapped. Miners too were unable to get any tenure for their claims. Many residents of Kumara had no'homes, no abiding places under the present condition of affairs. This was a very great detriment to the place. y The Chairman asked the deputation to remember that the Commissioners had certain lands vested iu them. The inhabitants voluntarily took up these lands. The object of granting leases was to give a tenure. Mr Mulvihill made some remarks to the eflect that the Commissioners were the stumblsng block in the way of any arrangement being, come to.

The Chairman absolutely objected to any such statement. The matter was one for the Government to consider. If the Government were willing to abandon the reserve, let them do it.

Mr Seddon asked at what price the land would be sold ? Er Giles said if the Commissioners consented to sell the land, it would be for the Government to fix the price. Mr O'Hagan said that the object of the deputation was to get the land sold, so that residents could get a title to the sections they occupied.

The Chairman said the Commissioners were happy to have met the deputation and discussed Various points. They would give the arguments used and points raised, careful consideration. This interview would enable the Commissioners to have a clearer view of the matter. He could not possibly say what conclusion would be -'arrived at until the Commissioners had well con' sideied the question.

In an answer to Mr Barff. The Chairman said it was difficult to fix any precise time for an answer, but the deputation would get a reply as soon as possible under the circumstances.

After thanking the Commissioners, the deputation withdrew.