THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 94, 27 January 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1872.

We arc informed on good authority that tlu* Wniotahi Board had a quiet meeting' amongst themselves yesterday, and resolved to discharge all the labourers in their employ, and not to accept any of the tenders sent in. We should like to know what is the reason of this? and why it has been kept so quiet ? At the last meeting the Secretary was requested to inform the Press

if any special meetings were to be held before the ordinary Wednesday meeting, bnt so for as we ourselves arc concerned we received no intimation of the meeting. Sncli an important step as discharging all the men, and resolving not to go on with the contracts ought certainly to he made public, and, as we have said, we should like to know the reason. Possibly there is some “difficulty ” as to the Governmental subsidy, and the Hoard may naturally not like to enter into engagements for which its members might he held personally responsible. The result of yesterday’s deliberation means a total stoppage of public works in the Waiotalii District. It is certainly high time that a Municipality was established. We understand that out of the sum voted by the Provincial Council as a subsidy, LSOO was to be paid down to the credit ot Waiotalii Board, and that his Honor the Superintendent had promised that this should he done. We may be in error, but this was certainly our impression. Wc have since been told that the Superintendent declines to “ cash up ” anything until the work is done, ami approved by the .District Engineer. Practically wc presume the matter rests with his Honor on goldfield matters, whatever may be said as to the Provincial Executive having control of the purse strings. Wc hope the day is not far distant when tlie Thames will have the power to expend in the district the revenue locally raised, and as a first step towards the accomplishment of this object, wc should be glad to sec a municipality established as soon as possible.