WARDEN'S COURT.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2625, 7 June 1877, Page 2

WARDEN'S COURT.

THIS DAY. (Before W. Fraser, Esq., Warden.) HUGH MCIIHONE V. CALEDONIAN G.M.CO. This was a complaint by the Inspector of Miners' Eights against the Caledonian Company that the defendants, not being the holers of a miner's right under the provisions of the Goldmining Districts Act, 1873, engaged in mining operations in the Hauraki District. Mr Miller appeared for the company, and admitted the offence. He said there was no intention to evade the law, but it was a matter of simple inadvertence. Bights had been taken out since. He also appeared for the Alburnia and City of London Goldmining Companies and admitted the offence for them. The Warden said he would inflict a fine of 20s and costs in each case. The costs in each case would be £1 3a. MCILHONE V. MOONEY. This was a complaint by the Inspector of Miners' Eights, that the defendant, not being the holder of a miner's right or business license issued to him under the provisions of the Goldmining Districts Act or otherwise, did, on 26th day of May, 1577, occupy land within the Hauraki Goldmining District, constituted under the said Act,

of which land he was nob at the time of such occupation the owner. Defendant admitted the offence. He said he had not the means to take out a right, nor had he a residence site right. He had been out of employment. The Warden said defendant appeared to have no title at all to his place.. It was lucky for; him that he had natives to deal:' with as landlords. It would Dot improve defendant's position much' coming to Court ito *be fined. Moreover, any one could go and take his place. The Inspector believed the man's statement was correct as to his circumstances. It was not the desire of the natives to deal harshly with any of the people in these -cases. „..-... .... „,...., ■ . •.-, ■„-.,■■--.■■■■

In answer to a question from the Bench, defendant said he had occupied the residence site for three years. The last right he had was for Ohinemuri. The Inspector suggested that the case be allowed to stand over for a month, when possibly defendant would be in better circumstances. The Warden said he felt scarcely justified in doing that, but he would do so as the Inspector asked it. The case would be adjourned: till 3rd July. * MCILHONE V. &EOBGE GILIi. This was a similar, case to the preceding. Defendant admitted the offence. tHe had no certificate nor miner's right, hot being in a position to take them out. He*; had been two years in the house and had |no miner's right, during that time. ; The Inspector said he believed the dej fendant bad not been very profitably employed for s,ome time. His Worship said he could not make fish of one and flesh of another. It would be better not to bring these men before him. As he had adjourned one 1 Very reluctantly, he would throw the responsibility on the Inspector, but he did not feel that it was just to the Native owners: The Inspector suggested to deal with this as with the preceding case. Adjourned till 3rd July. . , MCILHONE V. THOMAS QUAELLY. This was a similar, complaint, for mining without a right. Defendant said his last right expired in January. He only worked sometimes in mines. He had no money or he would have taken out aright. Healsoadmitted that he had a whare on Waiotahi Hill, but no certificate. It had been left to him by a "chap" who had gone to Wellington. He had been ten years on the goldfiV.d and always worked on his own account. Sometimes he had plenty of money, sometimes he had none. He had made no money since Christmas. He, waa tributing in the Cure; and expected to have a crushing soon* Fined 40a and costs. : HUGH MCIEHONE V; JOHN HEWITT. This was a complaint by the Inspector of Miners' Eights for occupying land without a right. . . ; Defendant had a certificate but no right. He had not been long back from Wellington—about three months. He had been out of work part of that time. Fined 40s and costs. Defendant had better take out a right, or his place would be sold. • Twenty two cases had been settled out of Court. . : ■-:■