The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2306, 18 January 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1884.

It will be just three calendar months next Tuesday since the petitions of the miners of this district to the Hon. W. Rolleston, Minister of Mines, praying for a reduction in tbe price of water for sluicing purposes on this goldfield, and for an inquiry to be held relative to tbe management and working of the Kumara sludge-channel and water-race—just three months, we say, since these were forwarded by Mr Marshall, the honorary .secretary c£ the Miners Association, to tbe Minister at Wellington. These petitions were not alone tbe sentiments of the Association ; they embodied the resolutions of largely-attended public meetings on the subject, held in the middle of October last, and were signed by 792 persons, who in the aggregate contribute more money to the revenue of the country than probably any community of a like number in New Zealand, The resolutions referred to were forwarded by telegraph to the Minister by tbe County Chairman (J. M‘Whirter, Esq.) who presided at one of the meetings, and to these telegrams Mr Rolleston said he would reply as soon as the petitions which the miners were preparing on these subjects were to hand. There the matter seemed to rest, the Minister not displaying cour tesy enough to give a reply or to even acknowledge from the sender the receipt of the numerously-signed documents. After the lapse of about a month we find the County Chairman telegraphing the Minister that the miners were growing anxious about tbe subjects of their petitions and desiring to be infix med whether the requests contained therein would be soon acceded to. To this message Mr M'Whirter received the following reply dated 17th November:— “ The petitions from Kumara as to reduction in price of water and inquiry into the working of the sludge-channel :* ; >! ir 'lor ce>->s’'le , r. f ’ou. The rest of maintaining the sludge-channel is lar g.ciucr ji.-iu was ever expected, ana this matter will require very careful attention before the other question can

be fully considered.” Another month elapsed, when the newly-elected County Chairman (P. Dungan, Esq.) again jogged the Minister's memory by asking when replies on these most important subjects may be expected. To this Mr Rolleston replied that he “ proposed to give miners and others interested in the Kumara sludge-channel and the water-supply an early opportunity after Christmas holidays of stating their views and wishes, and will at the same time cause inquiry to be made into any causes of complaint.” Christmas has come and gone, and the “ early opportunity after ” seemed as far off as ever until yesterday, in reply to another’ entreaty from Mr Dungan, through the delegates, Mr Fitz Gerald, M.H.R., and Mr Rae, the Minister states that he is sending down Mr Gordon to investigate matters, and that now he had heard the deputation he would request Dr. Giles to act in conjunction with Mr Gordon. Naturally enough it appeared from this that Mr Gordon was being sent to the Coast specially for this purpose. But Mr Gordon, so recently as Saturday last, publicly stated that he had no instructions whatever from the Minister of Mines; his visit was in connection principally with tracks to the various goldfields. The Minister also telegraphed that “ Mr Gordon will meet miners at such times and places as may be appointed.” But there is, as the County Chairman has signified to Mr Rolleston, a very strong objection on the part of the miners to Mr Gordon having anything to do with the inquiry. And this objection will be found on reflection to be a very reasonable one. Mr Gordon made certain recommendations in regard to the working of the sludgechannel which have been acted upon, and are in part the subject of the cause for inquiry; and it would manifestly be unfair, as the County Chairman puts it, “ to sit in judgment on his own work ; he could not be impartial.” The Executive Committee of the Miners Association will meet at Dillman’s Town this evening; and it is not unlikely that a public meeting will be called to determine what action shall be taken in reference to these announcements.