The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1870. PUBLIC MEETING ON THE WANGAPEKA DIFFICULTY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Issue 23, 27 January 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1870. PUBLIC MEETING ON THE WANGAPEKA DIFFICULTY.

A public meeting was held last night in the Provincial Hall, "to consider the propriety of requesting his Honor the Superintendent immediately to extend the boundaries of the South-west Goldfields, in order to secure legal protection to mining enterprise." The Hall was crowded to excess, and much excitement was manifested throughout the proceedings. On the motion of Dr. Irvine, the Hou. Dr. Eenwick, M.L.C., was called to the chair. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that he accepted the chair that evening with the understanding that the meeting was of a perfectly nou-politi-cal character, that its only object was to get the Wangapeka district opened for mining, and to relieve the commercial stagnation at present existing. The Chairman then briefly referred to the circumstances which had led to the difficulty, stating that a rich reef had been discovered at the Wangapeka, that some of the land had unfortunately been sold as rural land, that the diggers had refused to allow a survey to be made, and that the Superintendent had declined to proclaim an extension of the goldfields boundary until that survey was made. It was not the duty of that meeting to decide upon the legality of the purchase — that was a question for the Supreme Court to decide ; but if they waited for that decision they might wait for months and perhaps years, which delay would be a serious calamity ; I the public ought not to suffer from a mistaken action of the Government. He then read the advertisement calling the meeting, and said he hoped the subject would be discussed in a calm and temperate manner, without interruption. Mr. D. M. Ltjckie then rose, and was received with applause. He said he concurred in the observations which had fallen from the Chairman with respect to the non-political character of the meeting, and promised that no partisan expression, if he could help it, should pass his lips (Laughter). The question at issue was one of simple justice between man and man — of fair administration of the public estate. That these had not been done, it was for that meeting to prove. After referring to some remarks which had been made by some Government officials — and he believed by his Honor the Superintendent a ] S o — to the effect that if it had not been for him (Mr. Luckie) there would have been no difficulty at all, he said there had been an. injustice done, which required remedy. In explaining how the meeting arose, he said he had spoken to their worthy Chairman on the previous Sunday about the matter, and on the following day he (Dr. Renwick) and Sir David Monro had an interview with the Superintendent as to what steps he was willing to take to open the Goldfields ; his Honor then said he would immediately issue the necessary proclamation. He (Mr. Luckie) then thought the meeting would be unnecessary, but since that one of the Executive (Mr. Adams) had stated that the proclamation would not be issued till the disputed land was surveyed. Hence the necessity for the present meeting. He (Mr. Luckie) was much gratified when he heard of his Honor's resolution to immediately extend the boundaries of the goldfield, but it seemed that cloud aof evil genii had gathered round him, and prevented him from carrying out his good resolution (Laughter), and he had concuired in the interference of the Executive, which as delegate of the Governor he might have totally disregarded. Mr. Luckie then proposed the following resolution : — 1. Thai this meeting, in view of the stagnation of trade, and stoppage of both mining and com-

mercial enterprise, caused by difficulties and disputes arising out of recent dealings with certain blocks of auriferous land at Wangapeka, has learned with deep regret the resolution arrived at by his Honor the Superintendent of the Province and his Executive Council, to the effect that no proclamation of an extended boundary of the Nelson South- West Goldfields shall be made until after the said auriferous land shall have been surveyed. This meeting respectfully requests his Honor the Superintendent to reconsider that resolution, and acting on the authority delegated by the Governor of New Zealand to himself alone, that he will be pleased to issue a proclamation declaring an extended boundary of the SouthWest Goldfields to the Motueka river, and such other points as shall embrace the Baton, the Sherry, and other known Jauriferous districts, without making any reference in such proclamation to the said disputed land. They would all admit that trade was paralysed j one man who had taken the trouble to go round the town and count the empty houses and shops, said that there were from 220 to 240 ; 2000 miners had left the West Coast during the last year ; and the revenue was falling off. Instead of over £100,000, as estimated for the year, being realised, there would probably be a deficit of £25,000, seeing that the revenue for nine months had only reached £55,000. One would, have thought that every opportunity to remedy this state of affairs would have been eagerly seized (hear hear), but the course pursued by the Government had merely tended to drive men away from the province, had kept back trade, and caused general dissatisfaction through the whole province. The Superintendent ought not to have permitted ambitious speculators to take advantage of a mis-reading of the act ; he should at once have stopped the sale or handed back the money, which might have been done a few days after. He (Mr. Luckie) beleived the Provincial Solicitor's desire was to turn the diggers out, but such attempts would certainly recoil on the heads of those who made them, and if successful, so much the worse for the public. They had had an abundant harvest of all kiuds of produce, and men were needed to consume it, but they had been frightened away ; he had heard that at Christmas 1000 men were wishing to come from the West Coast, 200 from Westport (applause). He did not advocate a general yielding to diggers — if anything beyond justice had been given to them, let it be taken back; but justice they would have in spite of the Executive (applause). As Mr. Curtis seemed to think that his action I was trammelled by the General Government, he (Mr. Luckie) had taken the liberty to telegraph to Mr. G-isborne on the subject", and had received from that gentleman a courteous reply, which he would read to the meeting: — Wellington, Jan 25, 1870. General Government never requested Superintendent of Nelson not to declare extension of goldfieild until Wangapeka enquiry and survey were completed. On the contrary, when I understood that there was an impression to that effect I telegraphed to Superintendent three days ago, and telegraphed again this morning, that that enquiry and survey in no way interfered with his discretion as delegate to proclaim extended boundaries, if he thought it advantageous to provincial interests do do so. (Signed) W. Gisborne. (Applause). The meeting would thus see that there was no impediment to the powers of the Superintendent — the only difficulty in the way was his Honor's will. If the extension were made to-morrow, it would make no difference as to the right of either F ar ' ; y *° tne disputed land. But the "gallant 450" purchasers — to which number the 30 modest men who had first paid their £2 an acre had multiplied — surrounded the Superintendent like a body-guard, and would do so until he "was obliged to declare an extension of the goldfield. He (Mr. Luckie) would ask what right had the Government to Burvey the land ? If within the South-west Goldfields — and though not officially declared he believed that the survey had resulted in proving that Wangapeka is three miles within the | boundary — the Government had clearly no right to survey the land. He then referred to an address by the late Mr. J. P. Robinson to the Council in 1863, in which a report and sketch map of Mr. Kochfort's— the one found on the last morning of the enquiry — -was mentioned ; and also to a report of Mr. Blackett's dated April 27, 1863, in which he speaks of the practicability of a railway to those very Blue Creek diggings. With regard to the nature of the country in that locality he might say that it was indeed "truly rural" — nothing more unrural could be imagined — -steep stony hills and gullies, in which neither spade nor plough

could ever be brought into operation) interspersed with deep holes made by miners, which looked as if a regiment of mammoth hogs had been rooting in the earth. The purchasers, he thought, ought to be called " toory-looral " purchasers. He then alluded to some insinuations that two of the witnesses in the late enquiry — Robert Donald and David Clark — had committed perjury, but there was collateral evidence to prove the truth of their assertions. The Examiner of that morning said that about 150 persons were interested in the Wangapeka dispute, but ho would put the number at 20,000 — all amongst them had a direct interest, and three months of the best weather had been lost, and the door shut against men who have made Victoria and Otago what they now are (applause). An application under the Land Leasing Act had some time ago been refused because the land was auriferous — and yet the reef was sold. Six men had that day brought down 36 ounces of gold from the district, 1 8 of which was obtained in a week — 6 ozs. per week per man. On the Baton and Sherry a great deal of work had been done, and there was no protection for the miner. He begged to move the resolution which he had previously read. Mr. Thornton seconded the resolution, Mr. G. Clements reminded his Honor of a prophecy by Mr. Saunders, of which his Honor had reminded the public at his election, to the effect that if he was elected he would be the ruin of the province. He supported the resolution. His Honor the Superintendent then rose and was greeted with a storm of hisses, cheers, and groans. He said that a serious mistake was embodied in the motion which called on him to reconsider a resolution already arrived at, whereas no such resolution had been made either by himself or his Executive, the ouly decision they had come to being not to do anything till after the present meeting. The Chairman corroborated his Honor's statement. Sir David Monro, as associated with Dr» Renwick in that interview — stated that his Honor had not told them of any resolution such as that spoken of in the resolution before the meeting* His Honor the Superintendent then said he was surprised, at being called upon to take action which would interfere with the General Government, and frustrate their plans, he would also by taking actiou now break a pledge he had given to the General Government not to interfere with them. With regard to his powers being trammelled byinstructions from the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Curtis read a number of telegrams, &c, which he had received from the Colonial Secretary; several of them requesting him to postpone further action at Wangapeka till communicated with by the General Government. On hearing, however, that there was a complaint about want of protection to miners at the Baton River, Mr. Gisborne telegraphed on Jan. 22, to say that the General Government did not wish to interfere with his Honor's "power as delegate of extending the goldfield." And on Jan. 26, the day of the meeting, Mr. Gisborne finally telegraphed as follows : — Wellington, Jan. 26, 1870. His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. General Government only wished you to suspend any action which might prejudice the question at issue in the Wangapeka land dispute before enquiry was completed, I do not see how the proclamation of extension of boundaries of present Goldfield, or in other ■words the proI clamation of additional Goldfield can in any way affect that question. Subject to that condition, Government do notwish and have not wished to fetter your discretion in the exercise of your powers as Governor's delegate under Goldfields Act. GISBOKNE. To extend tha boundaries at present would in his opinion materially affect the question, at issue. The Warden would be applied to to register claims on the disputed land, and he would be placed in an awkward position. Mr. Domett's opinion that the sales were illegal did not appear to have been endorsed by the General Government, otherwise they would have refused the Crown Grant. The land was sold in the same way as all other land (no, no), and if these sales were illegal, so were all the others that had taken place in the district. The Government was bound to sell the land, as had been proved by a previous action in the Supreme Court. (A Voice : Not auriferous land). The Colonist had stated that the police were

Bent up to eject miners ; they were sent merely to protect the surveyors. He was asked, why survey the land ? Land was always surveyed, whether sold or leased. If there bad been no resistance to the survey, the dispute would have been over long ago. The proclamation for extending the boundaries was drawn up three months ago, and would have been issued had it not been for the action taken by the miners, who themselves had suffered. They were in possession of the ground, and nobody could have turned them off* (A Yoice : You tried to do it). Let them consider the proposals made by Mr. Broad, to allow Culliford's claim to be surveyed, and promising not to interfere with them in working the olher land. Mr. Silcock: Did you agree with Mr. Broad's proposals ? Mr. Curtis : They were not specially authorised by me, but were made by Mr. Broad, subject to my approval. If the goldfield boundary were extended, so as to include the Baton, Sherry and Tadmor Rivers, would it settle the dispute ? He believed it would tend to prolong its settlement, and cause great confusion. Mr. Luckie had stated pretty positively — though it had not been officially declared •• — that the land was within the goldfield boundary, if so, the sales were illegal, and the purchasers would have to be dealt with by the Government. Would it not be better to wait and see if his information were correct? (Voices: "We've waited long enough." " We want employment.") The Executive Council desired to hold the balance fairly, and not to favor either one or the other ; but the General Government went further, and said that they ought to maintain the rights of the land purchasers. He did cot think it was the business of the Government to maintain the rights of the purchasers, it was their duty not to prevent their maintenance, and the same with the diggers. The Cherry and Baton districts contained a larger population seven or eight years ago than now, — some 200 then to 40 or 60 now, — and the reason why it was not protected was because his predecessors did not think it advisable. Mr. SauDders recommended that the Collingwood Goldfield — which contained a larger population than all these districts put together — should be abolished. In conclusion, he would assure them that the resolution would receive the fullest attention of himself and his Executive ; but they could not act without reference to the General •Government. What course they would pursue he could not tell, but they would do what they could to relieve the present state of trade, and advance the interests of the province. (Cheers.) Mr. Luckie said he understood that Mr. Adams had said that no extension would be made till after the disputed laud was surveyed. Mr. Adams said he was asked if the Superintendent was going to proclaim the extension the next day on account of the meeting; he said the Government had not agreed to proclaim at all, and he also ■said if that was done before the survey of the land was made it might do great injury to the land purchasers. (Great disturbance.) He would do all he could to do justice, but they must not think that the purchasers were not to be considered. Mr. Luckie said there was not much difference in substance between what he had told the meeting and Mr. Adams' explanation. The land in ■question bad not been sold in the same way as other lands ; Culliford had merely asked for protection, and it was refused. Clause 70 of the Waste Lands Act empowered the Board to lease auriferous land not in a goldfield, and had that clause been acted upon, this land would never have been sold. Mr. Curtis: Read the remainder of the clause. Mr. Luckie read the remainder of the clause, which stated that the land must first be put up to auction at the upset price of £10 per acre j and proceeded as follows : It would never have been sold at £2 per acre. Mr. Curtis was wonderfully 'cute ; he was a good special pleader, and knew how to throw dust into people's eyes. That was a specimen. As to the police being sent up to protect the surveyors, if the miners held the ground under a miner's right, they were entitled to eject the surveyors, and call on the police to help them. This was the opinion of Mr. Thomas Cawthron, a gentleman well versed in mining matters. Then again, Mr. Broad's proposals caused

consternation to the Government, and they, were glad the miners did not accept them. Mr. Curtis said he wished to hold the balance fairly; he (Mr. Luckie) believed he did, but he had acted in a mistaken manner in pushing the survey. Dr. Williams then asked leave to make a few remarks, which, though outof order, was granted. He then , asked if Mr. Luckie had not thought of delaying the publication of the Gazette until he (Mr. Luckie) had got a slice of the land. This occasioned considerable disturbance, one man making the assertion that Mr. Luckie had told him so, but this was denied, and Dr. Williams expressed himself satisfied. Dr. Williams then endeavored to proceed with his speech, but was unable on account of repeated interruptions. The Chairman then put the resolution, which was carried, ooly one hand being raised against it. Mr. Moss said he considered that the resolution just passed would answer the object of the meeting, and proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried by acclammation. The Chairman was requested to forward the resolution to his Honor the Superintendent, and the meeting separated. Two other resolutions were to have been proposed, but on the Superintendent agreeing to give consideration to the first, they were not put to the meeting.