THE QUEENSTOWN DEPUTATION.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 15, 20 June 1863, Page 4

THE QUEENSTOWN DEPUTATION.

Messrs Bradshaw and Gordon, representatives of this township, and Mr. Bergen, delegated by the miners of the Shotover, waited upon the Superintendent of Otago on the 15th inst., and presented him with the following memorial, drawn up and signed by the inhabitants of the Lake:— To His Honor the Superintendent of the Province of Otago. The petition and memorial of miners and others resident on the Shotover and its tributaries, sheweth—That your petitioners, at various public meetings held in the Lake District, have unanimously passed the following resolutions:— 1. That this meeting pledges itself to endeavor to obtain protection ; the formation of a bridle track from Queenstown to Skipper's; and furthermore pledges itself to render every assistance to the inhabitants of Queenstown for the removal of the Warden and Camp from Frankton to Queenstown, by representation to the Government, and by every other constitutional means. 2. That we, the miners of the Shotover, and Skipper's Gully consider that we have not a sufficient body of police for our protection, and are of opinion that a Warden should be stationed at Stony CreeJt, where we can get our grievances settled and save the time and expense of going to Queenstown. 3. That if the Otago Government do not take steps to redress our grievances we will apply to the Southland Government for an escort to the Shotover and Skipper's. That your petitioners have deputed Mr Bergen, a resident on the Shotover River, to lay before your Honor these resolutions, and other matters affecting the mining interests of the Lake, and we beg your Honor's favorable consideration of the subject. And your memorialists will ever—&c., &c.

His Honor's demeanor was most uncourteous, and his answers were very brief, to say the least. He declined to receive the memorial, on the ground that it was not sufficiently respectful; so that no course remained to the delegates to withdraw it and proceed to argue the case on its merits. In a general manner he expressed himself willing to aid the interests of the miners, but would not commit himself to any particular course. His chief theme appeared to be the Lake Wakatip Mail, against which he seemed never tired of expressing his indignation, saying it was doing the district more harm than good. In reference to the removal of the camp and officials from Frankton to Queenstown, no positive opinion was expressed, the tenor of his Honor's re-

marks, however, being contrary to the steps proposed. Mr. Bradshaw said all that the Queenstown people wanted was a Magistrate and Gold Receiver. Mr Bergen detailed to his Honor the greivances complained of by the miners on the Shotover, and subsequently the following reply from his Honor was received by Mr. Bergen Provincial Secretary's Office, June 15th, 1863. I am directed by his Honor the superintendent to acquaint you that the matters which you have this day brought under his Honor's notice, on behalf of the miners and residents on the Shotover, relative to the appointment of a Warden and the formation of a road from Arthur's Point to Packer's Point will receive all due and immediate attention at the hands of the Government. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) Alex. Willis, Acting Provincial Secretary. Mr. A. Bergen. \ , f