(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times)

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 3, 29 February 1868, Page 3

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times)

Sir, — In your report of %he meeting between Matthew Hay, Esq., M.P.C., and his constituents at Tapanui, a slight inaccuracy occurs. lam reported to have proposed " That the Government, be requested to throw 4,000 acres into a goldfield, in this district, and 4,000 acres into freehold sections." I did not make a motion to this effect; but, in order to bring an interminable discussion upon the comparative merits of agricultural leases, •under the Goldfields Act, and those of freehold sections, I threw out, as a suggestion, which, I stated, might possibly meet the views of both parties, " That a proposal should be made to the Government to declare 4000 acres of the surveyed ground into a goldfield." The proposal was received with acclamation, and immediately seconded, when I again disinctly gave the meeting to understand that I did not make a motion on the subject, and it was accordingly agreed not to put it as such-, but simply to request Mr. Hay to keep the idea in mind as the one which would meet the views of both parties. I am not an advocate for the 'oldfield leases in this district, and believe that to declare the district open under the Groldfietds Act would be tantamount to Political dishonesty. — I am, &c, John D. Niven, M.D. Pomahaka, February 26th, 1868.