MAEREWHENUA.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 236, 12 September 1873, Page 3

MAEREWHENUA.

(To the Editor of the Mount Ida Chronicle.) • September sth, 1873. Sir, —I see in your last issue a letter signed "Practical Miner," in which he had the audacity to question the Warden's report with regard to the auriferous nature of the Maerewhenua hoping he (the Warden) had not been misled. " I hope he has not been misled as far as a certain party on this field, who bought a head race and claim, and afterwards found out that although the race was but half a mile long, it was levelled twenty feet up hill," such is the work of some of our practical miners. As far as Mr. Eobiuson's report is concerned, there are scores on this field who can corroberate his statement, else why are such prices being paid for shares in races and claims by men well known in the Mount Ida district, also by experienced miners from Tuapeka; but I suppose those are not practical miners—most likely they class amongst the novices. He speaks of novices holding so much ground only as a monopoly. It is easy to see where the shoe pinches. " Practical Miner " would like to get a slice of novices' good ground; but. he is not the man to prospect for a piece of ground for himself. I think myself when a man pays £8 or £9 per year for miners' rights, he is entitled to as many acres of ground, • especially on a field like the Maerewhenua, where there are so many thousands of acres of ground without a shaft on them. But, sir, some of our practical miners would rather sink a shaft in a whisky .bottle, and swallow the wash dirt, as I think they would have a hard job to sling it Over their shoulders. By inserting the above will oblige.I'am, &c.', A jSTovice.