LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1716, 30 March 1882, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[special to kumara times.] PAYMENT IN ADVANCE FOR WATER AND SLUDGE-CHANNEL TERMS DISPUTE. Auckland, March 29. According to arrangement Mr Seddon met the Hon. W. Rolleston, Minister of Mines, yesterday afternoon. After debating the matter for over an hour, no terms could be arrived at, the advance and endorsement certificate being the chief obstacle. An interview for half-past nine o'clock this morning was arranged, and, besides the Minister of Mines, the Colonial treasurer, (Major Atkinson) was present. After three hours' talking, the following course and conclusion was agreed upon by the Minister :—That as regards the' miners using Government water outside the sludgechannel, the order for payment in advance is to be suspended for not less than two months, so aa to give time for inquiry with view of settlempftt. So that; on the intioduction of the principle no injury shall be done to claimholders. If any loss is entailed or hardship caused, that in administration they should be provided against, the Minister assuring miners that it was his wish to deal liberally with the mining interest and in a way that would foster and encourage the mining industry. SLUDGE-CHANNEL TERMS. The Minister said he was waiting for information from the Coast on the subjpct, and that whilst he could not consent to strike out the words " payable in advance," still he would accept Mr Seddon's suggestion by adding the words after the word "advance" at such times as only as the Minister of Mines shall, on inquiry, determine." The miners are to sign the terms when this and other minor amendments "have been made. After words "these terms" in clause 7 are to be inserted the words " which Bhall remain in abeyance nntil such

time as the Minister considers they could be, enforqed without injury to the miners;" bxU he declined to fix any ■Jpfinitedate. Mr Seddon suited twelve month's or sortie other distant period". The Minister said Mr Seddon mWt safely trlist tfre Tna&er 'to him. He would do nothing that wouia injure the miner, the district, or the colony. As regards tli'e endorsement of Wms on certi6cates the Minister left this an open question, until he had a consultation with the kw.officials. The i Colonial Treasurer, stated that he wished an amicable settle-the-Hf, an& thought that from what had fallen frotri his colleague, Mr Secldon might be satisfied that Justice would be done, to all parties. But that the steps of the miners who had threatened Violence, and who had caused the Government to be asked what the management were to do under the circumstances, this, lie stated, compelled Government to bo stiff, as law and Order rhust prevail. Mr Seddon retorted that this waS not the first time the race management had grossly slandered the miners of the Kuraara, Waithea, and Stafford; and he had no hesitation in saying to trie untruth was attributable his presence in that room. The petitidn on tile table, the tone of the speeches at the meetings of miners, wliich were in the papers on the table before Ministers, all gave this a direct denial. He woiilcl, when the proper time came, ask inquiry; THE RACE MANAGEMENT^ The Ministers acquiesced that there was evidently rbtJm for improvement: The Minister of. Mines stated that he would be in Wellington on Saturdayweek, and would wish Mr Seddon to 1 meet hitii "there. He.had received a telegram from Mr FiteGeralbt that He would be present. INCHEA§E# WAfERrSUPPtiT. The question of increased water-sup-ply was also disc'nSsed. Mr Rolleston cortld riot give any de* cided answer until Be arrived in Wellington, but would take stepsi that the* vote should not lapse until the end o£ May. Speaking generally, he thought it would be as well to get an additional vofe at next Parliament and eb complete tho work at once.