OBJECTIONS TO GRANTING THE LICENSE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1995, 27 May 1875, Page 2

OBJECTIONS TO GRANTING THE LICENSE.

The Warden's Court opened at eleven o'clock to-day. The Warden said to-day was the day for deciding the objections. Mr Brassey, -vrJio appeared for Mr Neeves, the applicant for the Tairua lease, said he had been instructed to ask that the day might bo fixed at as early a date as possible, in order to have, the business shortly settled. He had received no intimation from Mr Hesketh as to when he would be down.

Mr Macdonald, who appeared with Mr Tyler for a number of the objectors, said any time would suit him. ;. His Worship read a communication from the Superintendent stating that Neeves and party were promised protection for their ground, and that they had been the discoverers of the goldfield. The telegram was sent in order that a breach of faith might be prevented. He also stated that he had received a number of telegrams which had passed between the Superintendent and the Colonial Secretary with reference to the subject. He thought delay seemed to be the object till the opinion of the Attorney-General could be obtained. There seemed, to him, to be some confusion between the General and Provincial Governments that it was an application for a prospectors' claim. He thought it might be advisable to decide on an extended postponement to settle the matter.

Mr Tyler strongly, profested against the Warden being influenced by any correspondence of the land to which he had referred. ITeither Sir George Grey nor^ the Colonial" Secretary had any right to* interfere with persons who. were endeavoring to •conform to the law. The applicants had not taken the steps provided in the Act, and then endeavored to mate themselves secure by applying to the Government. He (M$ Tyler) > most strongly protested against the Warden j being influenced, by any such considera-1

tions as disclosed in the correspondence read. He must with a]l respect insist on his proceeding according to law. Sir George Grey had no more right than John Stiles to interfere with the prose-• cution of their rights under that Act . 1 His Worship said the question was/ whether he had any right to deal with I the matter. The intention was to take it out of the goldfield. Mr Trier said it wag in the goldfield now. The application was inado under the Goldmining Districts Act, 1873. Mr Macdonald "said he suspected there was an attempt to * viper T rith the cause of justice, and thai., ./as ndcavor by that means to give the rigi^s to some one else which the law might or might not give to, his client. It was his duty and privilege as counsel to denounce such a proceeding as —he could hardly find words adequately to express his opinion —rascally was a coarse word, and ho would ho glad to use another if his learned friend would suggest one conveying the same meaning. The train laid was very likely to be fired. It had been, said by the opposite party —oh, you can get what you like in the Court, but you will not get, the ground.. This was strange enough, but lie took no notice of that nor of the remarks made at street corners and in the public press; but when it came before theni in a quasi-official manner, he considered it high time for, every one with one voice to raise a protest against it. ■;«'*• In answer to some i remarks from Mr Brassey, Mr Macdonald said he hoped Mr Brassey would convey what remarks he had made to his clients, and that, through Mr Brassey's clients, those remarks would reach the higher authorities. He (Mr Macdonald) had great fear? that his clients' might be robbed; robbed, at •least, of what the law might give them. Mr Brassey said he had just received a telegram from Mr JJesketh, asking to have the hearing on the Bth of June. After some discussion, His "Worship fixed the day for hearing of the case to the 15th of June.