MAEREWHENUA.-Nov. 10.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 299, 20 November 1874, Page 3

MAEREWHENUA.-Nov. 10.

Waedek's Court.

(Befor® H. W. Robinson, Esq., W.irden.) Howe aad Bullen : v. Frater. —Complaint alleged thatthe defendant, during the month of April last, did divert water from Camp Creek, Maerewhenua —said water belonging to complainants, and complainants asked that defendant be adjudged to pay £2O damages, and to restore the water to the creek. Complainants produced a water license for a race from Ben Lomond Creek, with right to take water from Camp Creek. It was this right that they alleged to be infringed. Defendant did not deny taking, the water, but pleaded that he had a : right to do so—this race having been granted with a right to take water from certain creeks unnamed but numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4. He adduced evidence to show that No. 1 creek of his grant was identical with that now known as Camp Creek; also, that the water had been taken for his race long ago. Complainants admitted that they had been under the.belief.that there was a grant of the water for Frater's race. Complaint was dismissed, with 13s. costs.

Grants.—Howe and another, water race, dam; Bailey and another, water race; Botting and others, extended claim; John Frater, water race ; William Wells, water race ; Thomas Blackwell, residence area.; Golden Hill Company (Registered), extended claim and iail whenua Water Race Company (Limited), dam.

Withdrawn.—H. W. Botting, extended claim ; William Wells, tail race and extended claim ; D. Earquharson, dam ; G. !R. Taylor and others, tail race arid extended claim. Refused. —Thomas Blackwell, tail race., MINERS' ASSOCIATION. A meeting was held at Livingstone, on the 10th inst. Mr. Earquharson, the Secretary, produced two maps, which had been forwarded by the Provincial Government to the Association, in order that they might understand what land was sold in that Goldficld, a,nd what still remained unsold, so that the Association might exercise their well known vigilance in protecting auriferous ground. Considering .that- the maps were, diagrams of the Public Works in the North and South Islands, it was not verj clear to the meeting how so desirable a gratuitous preventive service was to be assisted by the maps before them. .

The Chairman (Mr. J". Frater) spoke at some length. He said he had always a warm side for Provincialism, but that he did not intend to allow his judgment to be warped by his sentiments. He could not find words strong enough, .or judgment swift enough, to condemn the apathy and indifference of the Provincial Government, as Bhewn towards the Goldfields. He said they were too busy at . present for the aggrandisement and squandering of the public money in and around Dunedin to think about the Goldfields. He believed the majority of the members, constituting the present Government would hypothcate every acre of land in the Province if they could only manage it; and, as a consequence, the land would have to be parted with in big blocks, and no doubt at a great sacrifice —but he believed they were doomed to disappointment-—that ; Provincialism was near its end.

It was proposed by Mr. Slorach", seconded by Mr. Barclay, and carried " That the maps be returned to the Government through their member, George Sumpter, Esq., and a; request be made that a map of the district be. forwarded, with as little delay as possible, to the Association, in accordance with, the motion carried in the Provincial Council during its last sitting! A discussion ensued as to whether the Goldfields would be benifitted if the General Government took control, a proposition was Wdeby Mr. Davidson, seconded by Mr. Cooper, and carried—"That whatever change took place, it must be for the better, arid could not be for the worse which was carried:

A number of other topics were discussed, but, the hour being late, no specific resolutions were arrived at, although a. very strong feeling was found to exist against Provincialism. '