The Judgment.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1933, 15 March 1875, Page 3

The Judgment.

eaiuraay The Warden delivered his judgment this morning at 10 o'clock. Standing at the door of the long tent used for Government offices, he said to the crowd of miners assembled —Well, men, I have made 1 up my mind as to which party are entitled to Reserve A; but before I say anything regarding that, I wish to make a few remarks about the nature of the conditions under which the ground is to be held. It is not- a prospector's claim in the ordinary sense, because it is handed over by me under the authority of the proclamation of 3rd March and must be worked in accordance with the regulations issued with that proclamation, as if taken up under them. It will not have any privileges, such as by being worked with less men or anything of that kind. I have to thank you sincerely for the orderly manner in which you have behaved on the field, and more, particularly while this enquiry has been conducted under such unfavorable circumstances and bad accommodation. After hearing the evidence of Thorpe, Holes and McKay I have fully made up my mind that the party known as Thorpe's are entitled to the ground. I know, whatever my decision might have been, I could not have given satisfaction to you all, but I have satisfied myself, and cannot do more, in endeavoring to discharge my duty faithfully. I must tell you, however, so that there may be no misunderstanding, that this claim is given on one condition, that the ground is fully manned within an hour's time from this. And if Thorpe's party take advantage of the free and willing labor they can now command, they will have more work done by four o'clock than under ordinary circumstances they would accomplish in a week, and I hope they Trill be able to find the reef, show the gold, and dispel the 'gloom which is now-hanging over this goldfield. (Cheers.) The decision was received witk manifestations of decided approval. Captain JFraser may be congratulated on his able conduct of these difficult cases, which will be . remembered as an event of no little importance in our history when many of us have got past rexnembering ought in connection with this world*s life. Captain Fraser is evidently the man in the right place. Possessed of a desire to discharge his duty faithfully, and understanding the men with whom he has to deal, that he should succeed thus far so well as he has done is only what we could have expected. .