The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1370, 21 February 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1881.

Allowing that Mr Warden Stratford is a most upright, conscientious, and impartial judge ; that his decisions are based on the strictest interpretation of

the law-; and that his knowledge of gold-mining litigation stands untivalled, it can but be generally admitted that he is one of the most unpopular Wardens ever holding jurisdiction over this district. When we look into the cause that has placed Mr Warden Stratford in the unenviable position he now occupies in the public estimation we can b&t conclude that his own actions have been chiefly instrumental in bringing about a result that is greatly to be deplored. When Mr Warden Stratford succeeded to the official position he now occupies in regard to this goldfield, he took the earliest opportunity from the Bench of informing the mining community that, to ensure the more expeditious despatch of business in connection with the Warden’s Court, that while he should strictly enforce the provisions of the mining laws, it would be to the advantage of applicants or litigants as by compliance with the regulations in every respect they cod'd depend on their respective cases being adjudicated on without any vexatious delay. Nothing could give greater satisfaction to the mining community at large than such an assurance as this emanating from the Warden of the district. H ere was “ the . man for Galway ” at last. No more useless expenditure of time in waiting about the precincts of the Court; no unnecessary delay in appealing to the law for their grievances ; all the miners had to do was to conform to the mining regulations, and the Warden would promptly hear and decide their cases. “So long as the miners abide by the provisions of ‘ The Mines Act,’ said Mr Warden Stratford iu effect,” so long am I bound to protect and give them every assistance.” On another occasion, on a residence area being applied for, Mr Warden Stratford observed when granting the application conditionally, that if ihe ground was required for mining purposes, the applicant would be entitled to no compensation, “as everything must be made subservient to the mining interests ” on the goldfield. Could it hut naturally follow that after Mr Warden Stratford giving expressions to opinions such as these that the miners, to say the least, had “great expectations.” Unfortunately, however, either through some pressure of official duties, or some other cause, Mr Warden Stratford failed most misreably in carrying out the principles he had enunciated. Instead of Mr Warden Stratford waiting until the business of the Court was disposed of, the business of the Court had on one occasion to await Mr Warden Stratford’s reappearance a fortnight after, and subsequently, the number of adjourned cases week after week can but lead to the idea that Mr Warden Stratford is, as it were, tied to time. Again, the Warden should be slightly conversant with the district over which he has jurisdiction and the nature of the various workings, but in the hurryscurry with which Mr Warden Stratford has lately been compelled, or otherwise, to perform his official functions, he has not so far, to our knowledge, by personal inspection seen an iota of the goldfield over which he presides, and consequently is debarred from forming anything like a right conception of its magnitude. The plain fact of the matter is that even were Mr Warden Stratford residing here, he would find ample business in connection with the various Courts and Government offices to take np a large proportion of his time ; but a hurried visit once a week is totally insufficient to meet the demands made on him officially. We do not say for a moment but that Mr Warden Stratford has his hands full, and probably very few spare moments at command ; but we do say, and say most emphatically there will have to be a change so far as the business of the Warden’s Court is concerned before Mr Warden Stratford can regain the confidence of the mining community.