OCCUPANCY OF THE KUMARA EDUCATION RESERVE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1439, 9 May 1881, Page 2

OCCUPANCY OF THE KUMARA EDUCATION RESERVE.

The following is the Report of the deputation who waited upon the Westland School Commissioners re occupancy of the Kumara Education Reserve for mining and other purposes : To the Chairman Kumara Reserve Committee. Sir As requested by resolution passed at public meeting, Messrs Hannan, Mulvihill, Campbell, his "Worship the Mayor (Mr O'Hagan) and myself attended at the School Commissioners' office, Hokitika, on Tuesday last, and the result of the interview may be summarised as follows : Part I. OCCUPANCY FOR MINING. 1. No dual miners's right required. The question of who is to receive moneys for same not to affect the miners. 2. There are to be no extra fees charged for occupancy of any and all claims held under miners' rights. 3. G-old-mining leases and special claims are to be charged the fees fixed by his Excellency the Governor, on recommendation of the Warden. 4.—The question of fees to be charged for dams, tail-races, head-races, drainage areas, tramways, and other privileges was held over for consideration. The Commissioners, however, gave us to understand that in the case of small areas, the same amount would

be charged as that fixed, by the Goldmining Regulations.

In concluding this part of ottr report s -, we are of the opinion that the roisTmderstanding arose as to the interpretation to be put upon the wording of the memorandum by -which the -scale--of fees was fixed as between the School Commissioners and Warden Stratford (acting on behalf of the Minister Lands); and, after our interview with that gentleman and the School Commissioners, we are Fully convinced that in neither case would anything have been done wilfully or knowingly that would tend to discourage the mining, industry or impose* heavier taxation upon the miners. Seeing the whole question will now be reconsidered, we venture to hope that conclusions will be arrived at which will prove satisfactory to all concerned.

Part 11. Occupancy op business sites,

The deputation urged upon the Schdot Commissioners to accept the terms offered last September, namely: all rentals to be paid up to July, 1880) and the upset price to be £ls, with value for improvements added. The Commissioners stated that they understood the offer to mean that rents for the current year were to be paid, and then the upset price to be £ls per t.Jie case of those who had already paid the current year's rent half a year's rent would be refunded immediately they purchased their sections. The time for receiving applications to purchase and pay up rents was extended to the 17th day of May.

PRICE TO BE PAID FOR CORNER SECTIOIfi

The Commissioners decided ito defer the consideration of price to be paid for corner sections, and Would deal with each Separately. The deputation thanked the Commissioners aud withdrew.

Richard John Seddon, For Deputation* Ktlmara, 7th May } 1881.