POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2488, 10 June 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

KUMARA MINING MATTERS. GOLDSBOROUGH AND STAFFORD COURTS. [From our own Correspondent.] Wellington, June 10. The political elements as regards parties is very cloudy. The Opposition is divided into Montgomeries, Greyites, Wakefieldites, Richardsonites, and otherites too numerous too mention. The question of who shall move the no-confidence vote is left to who shall first catch the Speaker’s eye. Government are in a minority of five or six. It, however, a mistake be made.in moving the amendment to the Address-in-Reply, they may possibly survive the division.

Fitz Gerald and Seddon had a long interview with Rolleston this morning re sludge-channel regulations. A proposal was advanced for the Government to allow the men to go to work under the old regulations until .the Goldfields Committee bad an opportunity of dealing with the petition. The Minister declined to accede, seeing the information from the Manager was to the effect that the miners were coming in daily to .sign the new regulations, and that the regulations were generally acceptable to a majority on the field. Also, that as the Warden had signed the regulations, he would not alter them, and that Government insisted particularly on the certificates under clause 6 being given up. As regards the other regulations objected to, if the Manager used his discretionary powers arbitrarily, then the miners could bring their grievances before the Warden.

The deputation held out no hope to the Minister of the miners accepting the terms, and stated that the Manager, to get miners to accept, had held out inducements that it was not in his power to fulfil; also that those who had signed were number 26 in the sludge-channel, and had been on strike for one week prior to signing. Mr Seddon asked if there was any chance of Government subsidising private tail-races so as to relieve the channel. The Minister replied that the finances of the colony would not permit this being done. Mr Seddon then asked whether the Minister instead of finding cash would give £ for £ value in free water ; the construction of tail-race to be valued, and one half the value of the cost of completion the Government to give its value in water. The Minister replied that he considered the proposal a good one, and he was prepared to give it favourable consideration ; also that the deputation should advise thoae parties who could bring in private tail-races to have the races surveyed, and to make application stating paraculars; and that they would accept water in lieu of cash; that the applications should be sent in to Mr Gow, and he would instruct Mr Gow to report thereon. If there were no departmental objections, he personally thought the suggestion a good one. The deputation then withdrew. On interviewing Mr Conolly re Stafford and Goldsborough Courts, the Minister promised to withdraw the order for removal of the records, and will make further inquiry. The deputation advised a cadet being appointed, and business being transacted as hitherto.