PUHIPUHI SILVER FIELD.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 444, 8 February 1890, Page 5

PUHIPUHI SILVER FIELD.

PROSECUTIONS FOR TRESPASS. FOUR TEST CASES. Ranger Garsed arrived in Whangarei on Tuesday last to lodge informations against four prominent individuals of the community (including an M H.R.) for trespassing on Puhipuhi. These are selected as test cases, and the summonses are now being drawn in Auckland by Mr C. E. Button, of the firm of Whitaker and Buddie. The cases will come up for hearing before Mr J. S. Clendon, R.M., on Saturday next, at Whangarei. Mr Button will himself go down from Auckland to prosecute on behalf of the Government. It is understood that the ranger has another “ little list” in reserve, but the singular part of the affair is that the names almost without exception are nob those of persons who entered the forest upon prospecting or mining intent, bub merely of visitors who stooped to no concealment. Apparently, the miners and prospectors have found no difficulty in eluding the ranger.

EXISTING SILVER MINING COMPANIES. In consequence of the news of the Government’s determination to open the field, the various companies which have had prospectors on the Puhipuhi block have been stimulated to redoubled activity, and, of course, many of them, having already selected ground for future operations, * are taking steps to secure their rights. Of the companies now known to be in existence the following appear to be the chief: —No. 1 (Prospectors’), of 17 shareholders; No. 2, Puhipuhi, of 37 shareholders; No. 3, Puhipuhi (or Orangemen’s party), of 30 shareholders ; Kamo Silver Mining Co., of 24 shareholders ; Hikurangi Silver Mining Co. ; Captain Christy’s party from Kawakawa; and finally, a second Kawakawa Co. All these have had prospectors in the field, and appear to have made promising finds. The No. 2 party especially have exhibited some very rich specimens in Whangarei, and Mr J. D. McKenzie (one of the shareholders) privately showed Inspector Gordon thenground and also brought under his notice several attractive samples of galena, copper and stibnite (or ore of antimony) which they had taken out. All parties, for obvious reasons, are keeping dark while quietly shepherding their various locations. Everything, however, indicates that the mineral deposits are by no means confined to a circumscribed area, but extend far beyond Puhipuhi and right through private property, some of which is in native hands. The storekeepers living adjacent to the field are also contemplating the enlargement of their premises in view of the anticipated influx of customers. WHANGAREI INDIGNANT. The “ Northern Advocate ” says :—“lt wou d appear as if the Government were determined to further embitter against them the public feeling of the North by opening Puhipuhi with the worst possible grace. They signalise their tardy abandonment of a policy of obstruction by initiating a series of prosecutions for trespass. The curious part of the affair is that the individuals who are singled out for this kind of distinction are just the very ones who entered the forest openly as visitors, who merely parsed through it, and who cannot be charged with any intention of carrying on prospecting or mining operations. Those who ventured in with the latter purpose in view have found no difficulty m keeping out of the ranger’s way. Apart from the invidiousness of the distinction, this action of the Government forms a precedent to which the public are hardly likely to tamely submit. It would indeed be passing strange if in a democratic country the people are to be punished with impunity for presuming to enter upon the public estate. If such an invasion of popular right is to be tolerated, there is no saying where it may stop. It remains to be seen whether the Government have the power to maintain such an embargo, and to inflict punishment for its infringement. If they succeed in thus gratifying what appears to be a vindictive spirit, we feel quite sure that the subject will be fully ventilated on the floor of the House next session. Be that as lb may, however, the course of action which the Government have , seen fib to adopt has kindled anew the feeling of resentment which their obstinate closure of Puhipuhi produced throughout the North, and they will have cause to note its effects during the general elections which are near at hand.”