GOLDFIELDS MISMANAGEMENT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 200, 29 March 1865, Page 3

GOLDFIELDS MISMANAGEMENT.

We are glad to see that the views we have ever inculcated regarding the evils of a delegated system of authority to Superintendents and goldfields secretaries are being corroborated far and wide. The 'Marlborough Press' has a well written article on the subject, full of cogent reasoning; and our readers will perceive how fully it endorses the views we have enunciated regarding the desirability of the General Government taking charge of the Goldfields. Our contemporary is in error, however, about the goldfields not being self-supporting, as the returns moved for by our present Provincial Setretary illustrated the grouudlessness of this opinion. As far as we know, the population within the goldfields contributes more than double the amount of that outside them; and as—so far as Otago is concerned—the revenue derived from them has not been expended upon them —allowing for all charges of government—it naturally follows that they must have been a valuable source of strength to the colony at large. However, this misconception does not detract from the argument adduced by our contemporary in a somewhat hypochondraical mood; and we hope, before the Assembly meets, to be able to lay before our readers some statistics of a valuable nature. The ' Marlborough Press' says : " A correspondent, writing from Okitiki to the 'Nelson Examiner,' says:—'lf the Assembly was in session we should memorialise it on our neglected state, and pray the General Government to take charge of us." This is uttered as a threat, and the same menace was, on a previous occasion, held out by the diggers of Otago, as also of Nelson. We have always maintained that the charge of the New Zealand goldfields should be confided to the control of the Colonial Government, and for the following reasons :—When a discovery of the existence of gold is made in any province, it is not one province alone which reaps the benefit, but the whole of them ; as, for instance, when in 1861 a rich goldfield was found at Gabriel's Gully, and subsequently at the Dunstan and Lake Wakatip, in Otago, it was not that province which profitted by the discovery. Men hastened thither from the extreme north and south ; from Canterbury, Wellington, Nelson and all other intermediate parts, while the entire expense of maintaining the various goldfields within so limited an area was borne by the Otago Government. It is true that the province received its moiety of the halfcrown duty upon every ounce of gold forwarded down by the escort; but how large a quantity found its way to other provinces without being subjected to the impost has never been ascertained, although it is known to have been very considerable. It is a wellestablished fact that the duty received upon gold, with the fees assessed for the issue of miners' rights and business licenses, have never in any one instance covered the working expenses of a goldfield, and it has long since become apparent that the whole of the provinces should, in common fairness and justice, have contributed their quota. Even on the score of strict economy, it would have been politic had the rule been made absolute." The writer then points out, in a better spirit, that the diggers defrauded the Government in the shape of the gold duty and miners' rights, and proceeds to say : " In a few short months it was discovered that the Wakamarina had ceased to be a payable field for the number at work on it, while the Province had incurred expenses in the departments, the money for which should have been appropriated to more legitimate objects. Had the charge of the goldfields been under the management and control of the General Government, a staff of experienced officials would have been forwarded to the Wakamarina, probably withdrawn from some other declining or nearly worked-out locality. At least, a much greater economy would have been exercised, as was the case in the management of the goldfields in Victoria, when one auriferous district is worked out or deserted for some other, reported to be more payable, the staff, instead of being kept on old ground, is shifted at but little cost to the new locality. By our General Government taking the goldfields under their own control there could be no evasion of the gold tax, as every bank and gold-purchasing establishment throughout the Province would have to account for every ounce sold to them; and, instead of a local police in every proclaimed district, which can only be maintained at an enormous expense, a conservative force would be kept intact, and moved from place to place as any particular emergency might call for. " We believe that when the subject becomes to be thoroughly inquired into it will be found that the goldfields of New Zealand would be more satisfactorily managed and with a far greater saving of expenditure than is the case under the laws relating to the subject as they at present exist. It is to be borne in mind that the digger contributes nothing indirectly to the colony. If he is a consumer at Okitiki or the Grey he ceases to be so in the Province he has left. He is merely a customer in another district at the expense of the one left. In the case of the men who leave other colonies for New Zealand, or land from beyond seas, it is only when the prospects held out are very great that they come amongst us, and we do not see why they should not bear a full share of the expense the colony is put to on their account. The whole of the goldfields laws as applied to New Zealand call for a thorough revision."

R. M. COURT, QUEENSTOWN. (Before Richmond Beetham, Esq., R.M.) March 24. Harris vW. Clements.—The report of this case appeared in our last issue. The claim was a charge of 2| per cent commission on goods and property ordered by the defendant to be sold by auction by the plaintiff, under positive instruc tions, and the property not being forthcoming, and otherwise claimed, the sale lapsed. Ihe sale was to effect a dissolution of partnership in the late firm of Clements Bros. The court, after reviewing the case, gave judgment. It thought that from a tacit understandin ° it was understood between the parties that the sale should not take place. The cross-swear-ing on the question, whether any other charge beyond expenses was to be made, made it a point too difficult to determine, but the court thought the term expenses would fairly include some°reasonable remuneration for the auctioneer's trouble, beyond actual expenses. He considered that the plaintiff could have sold some of the horses. The court felt it difficult to fix the remuneration, but thought in fixing the amount at bl, they should run no risk in placing the defendant nnder undue pressure, or of undervaluing the plaintiff's services. Verdict for bl 8s 4d, expenses advertising, &c, bl auctioneer's remuneration, less a meat bill of 2/ 3i 4d, giving a nett verdict of 8/ 5s 4d. . Harris v T. H. Brown.—2o/. Cash lent in August, 1863. Verdict by default. J. C. Brown and Co v Anderson.—6J7s 3d. Goods supplied defendant by order of Mr Cassius. Mr Campbell for defendant. The question turned upon the point whether the defendant or Mr Cassius was liable. Verdict was, after a lengthened examination, recorded for amount claimed. Warren and Hartwell v G. Clements, treasurer, Wakatip Jockey Club. A printing and advertising account. Mr Campbell for defendant j Mr Shepherd for plaintiff. A verdict was given in favor of plaintiffs, upon the evidence of the defendant, who afterwards gave notice of appeal. Doyle v Thomas.— Zl 6s. Balance of board and lodging due for Jack, the groom, said to have been supplied at the defendant's request. The defendant did not appear, but was represented by Mr Shepherd. A torn up bill was put in, which the plaintiff alleged the defendant had snatched out of his hands, and in which the board and lodging was charged at only 22s per week. The defendant is the well-known jockey, and was training Harkaway ; and the plaintiff is an hotelkeeper, and owner of stables at Frankton The court dismissed the case on the grounds of the torn up bill, and the defendant thereby obtained his three weeks' board and lodging, at the rate of 22s per week. March 28.

Assault and Trespass.—James Thomas Fitt was charged with trespass on the property of Mr Reuben Harris, and also with asaulting the police. The defendant is an aged man, and the well-known wood-cutter, and "handy man" about Queenstown. Mr Harris deposed to the accused coming to his auction room with an axe on his shoulder, and demanding, in an excited manner, some articles he had bought at the late sale of Mr Clements' household effects. Told him that if he had bought the goods, he was entitled to them, and would look into the matter. The accused was very excited, and refused to leave the room when requested. He held his axe iu a threatening attitude, and defied witness in a very violent manner. He then sent for the police. This was about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The accused threatened to chop down his auction mart. Mr Beetham—Have you any questions to ask? Accused—What is the use of asking him any questions. I will take it to a higher court: I will so. Mr Beetham—l have nothing to do with that. Do you want to ask any question. Accused-No. It is all false. What is the use of asking him any questions in this court. Constable Donne deposed to being called on duty to Mr Harris' *tore, and that he found the prisoner there parading up and down with an axe. The prisoner was very excited, and refused to leave the room, stating he wanted his goods. Mr Harris said it was but right he should have what he had purchased, and would look into the matter. Prisoner refused to leave, and became more violent. He did all he could to get him quietly away, but he refused, and assaulted him, and he had then to arrest him. He considered the prisoner, in his then excited state, armed with an axe, a dangerous man. He fought violently when he was arrested. Mr Beetham—Do you wish to ask the constable any questions ? Accused (excitedly)— What's the use of asking him any questions here. Mr Beetham—lf you desire to examine him now is your time. Accused (striking the dock with his fist)—l mean to carry this to a higher court. It is false —all false. Everything said is false. Mr Beetham—l again ask you, do you want to ask any questions; and I caution you to be more temperate in your behaviour. Accused (excitedly)— No. What is the use? (and then proceeded to give a violent, incoherent and rambling statement.) Mr Beetham considered the charge proved, and proceeded to point out to the accused how he had erred in assaulting the constable who was quietly trying to get him away. [The accused kept continually interrupting the magistrate, though repeatedly ordered to be silent.] The court then recorded a fine of 20s; afterwards reduced to 10s, in consideration of the age of the accused, and it being a first offence. CIVIL CASES. Boyne v Fisseler.— lll 19s Bd. An 1.0. U. Verdict by default. Angus v Godwin.—Settled out of court. Whittingham v G. Clements.— \Zl 14s 3d. Verdict by consent. Thi9 was said to be a partnership account b?tween the brothers Clements. Angus v Harris.—2o/. Mr Campbell for plaintiff. It appeared that the summons had only been served at 12 o'clock on the preceding day, and the court could not hear it. Mr Angus—lt is a very hatd case; he has kept rae here a week to settle it. He has been trading nearly twelvemonths upon a 100Z of mine. Mr Beetham—l don't know anything of that, and I can't help it. If Mr Harris conseuts, I will hear the case this afternoon ; that is, if you are both agreeable; but I cannot give, in this instance, a judgment by default. Mr Gray was

also particular in seeing that time was given for delivery of summons. He did not think in a matter of 20/, sufficient notice had been given. Mr Angus should not ask again ; he had asked Mr Harris too often. He would let the case stand till to-morrow (this day) morning.