MAERE WHENUA.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 243, 31 October 1873, Page 3

MAERE WHENUA.

(From our own correspondent.) i The Warden's Gouit was held here on the i 14th ihst. The day was wet and disagreeable; nevertheless there was a good attendance. • The principal business was to consider two. agricultural lease applications. They were objected to by the Miners' Association, on the grounds of the land being auriferous and containing important outlets. The objectors gained their point in both cases—the evidence being so strong and reasonable as to leave little doubt that the objections were well founded. A new source of trouble has arisen here, it is said, in consequence of the successful objection to the agricultural lease applied for by Messrs. Borton and M'Master, who, feeling annoyed, have asked the miners to stop work for eight weeks, so that they may get clear water for sheep-washing purposes If this request is not complied with, injunctions a.re to be laid at once. A meeting of the race proprietors, was held to consider the notice,, at which it was unanimously agreed to take no heed of .the attempted dictation otherwise than by replying to the letter courteously, but firmly declining to stop work. Legal advice has been obtained from one of the best lawyers in Dune din, who. says that there is no law in New Zealand against the pollution of rivers, and advises the miners 'to work on. It certainly does seem very strange, even if not ridiculous, that Messrs. Borton and M'Master should ask to be allowed clean water for eight weeks in the year, as they intend to do the very thing that they allege is illegal, and, in fact, much worse—not only polluting the water, biit loading it with poisons of the most dangerous kind—and might be prosecuted by any party settled lower down the stream, if the assertion is true that no one has a right to run dirty water into a river. I think they have been badly advised in this matter, and if the injunctions are not already laid, they had better let the matter drop; although the real sentiments of the miners'here are that they, would much rather the injunctions were laid, and let it be evident what the runholders can do. However, injunctions or no injunctions, the miners have not, I believe, the slightest intention of stopping work. It is not a question affecting the Maerewheniia alone—it involves the whole. Colony. The Government has given the miners leave to cut and construct water races, and inflicts penalties for not Using water when available, so that, it would appear, if they knocked, off work and allowed their water to run towaste, they would be liable to forfeit their rights altogether or pay a'heavy penalty for a breach of the law. The miners at Maerewhenua are quite , hopeful of success in the matter, and, if a lawsuit takes place,, theywill continue to work and appeal to the country, when there is no doubt tliey will have the assistance and co-operation of all the Miners' Associations. lam in hopes, next time I write, to be able to write of the ! withdrawal of this case, or of such steps be- i ing taken as will define what can be done I and what can't be done. . f

. Mining matters are liealthy. There -is plenty of water at present, and lias been for some time; and, from \yliat I hear, the results are highly satisfactory. : We have had Mr. Campbell round viewing sortie of the claims. Several prospects were washed, with which he expressed himself pleased. He was astonished to find so much work had been done. His words were peace - able and plausible, and he assured us that he had no intention of stopping the miners. However, time will show whether he really at heart is not hostile to mining industry. The track from. Naseby to this place wants repairing badly. Several of the culverts are down, which, renders it dangerous for both man and horse.' There ai*e several reasons why this road ought to be kept in good repair. One reason is, that it is very likely most of the gold got here will find its way to JSTaseby, as many parties do not care about taking their gold to Oamaru. Another reason is, I understand that you have a medical gentleman of high reputation resident at ISTaseby, whose services would be sought after by people here if an average road was available; and now that a road is being made to the Upper Kyeburn, it would be well if yoiir M.P.C.s could get a survey made of the line, which would ascertain the cost of a really good road to the. Maerewlienua. I will not express what I think at present as to the cost, but the advantages are self-evident.