TEVIOT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 19, 20 June 1868, Page 2

TEVIOT.

Bom© short time since, the Government advertised the sale, as at present surveyed, of the township of Roxburgh. ■ Some of the residents whose interest lay in the township very strongly objected to the survey, as being not only too small, but leaving far too little margin of the river bank, which they not only believed | to be auriferous, but for the present very suitable for recreation ground. They therefore drew Up the following memorial, which comprehends the whole state of the case, and forwarded the same to his Honor the Superintendent : — " To his Honor Jame3 Macandrew, Esq., ' ' Superintendent. " The memorial of the residents of Roxburgh, West Clutha, humbly showeth, " That your memorialists learn with surprise and regret that it is the intention of your Government to Bell this township as at present surveyed. "That yonr memorialists repeatedly pointed out the inadvisability of selling the township as at present surveyed ; and they now, for the third time, firmly but respectfully protest against its sale, for the following reasons :—: — " First, that the site has been chosen in a most unsuitable and injudieioxis locality, being too close to the river bank, the fine of the street being only 1J chains distant therefrom. " Secondly, that the greater portion of it is auriferous ; and that the small flat upon which the survey has been made will, in a short time, be required for mining purposes. " Thirdly, That ample room exists in a locality in every way more suitable for a township than the present site. " Fourthly, that the survey of such a small portion is totally inadequate to the requirements of the district. "That your memorialists are informed that representations have been made to your Government that the residents were anxious for the sale of the present surveys. " That they sincerely and emphatically assure your Honor that they never were at all anxious for the sale of the present survey; but, on the contrary, in the event of the sale taking place, do not intend to buy, preferring to pay their business licenses until such time as a township is surveyed in a more suitable locality. "Your memorialists beg respectfully to suggest that, in order to bring these matters to a satisfactory termination, a competent person be appointed to report upon the matter, and for that purpose that your Honor be pleased to appoint Mr. J. C. Brown, of Lawrence, as, from that gentleman's intimate knowledge of the district, his experience of the Goldfields, and the sound judgment which he has always shown in any questions therewith, that they feel assured that if the above-named gentlemen be appointed in the capacity suggested above, that the result will be satisfactory, and this necessary question finally settled. "Your memorialists therefore humbly pray that your Government will re-con-sider their decision, and that no sale take place until such time as a proper township be surveyed, adequate to the requirements of the district, and in a more suitable locality, or that your Honor will be pleased to reserve from sale at least that portion adjoining the buildings of your memorialists. "And your memorialists will ever pray." (Here follow seventeen signatures). The result of this memorial was the postponement of the sale till Mr. Warden Hickson's report was received. The minute of the Executive Council was as follows : — " Minute of Executive Council. No. 6. " 24th March, 1868. " Sale to be postponed, pendind the report of the Warden of the district ; and sections to be surveyed up to road line." " (Signed) A. Wixlis, Sec. E. C. Also, the following note was forwarded by Mr. Duncan, Secretary of Land and Works :— " The Warden will be good enough to report as to the propriety of reserving l£ chains along the rieer bank. " (Signed) G. D., Secretary of L. and W. Mr. Hickson then forwarded the following report — "-Warden's Office, Roxburgh, " 11th April, 1868. " Sib, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your minute upon the memorial .of the residents of Roxburgh, West Clutha (herewith returned), and to report as follows :—: — " According to the survey which has been made (vide, plan), I find, upon measuring from the inner street line to the river Clutha, at the nearest points, that there are over (3) three chains. " I hear also from miners resident here for the last four or five years, that the ground along the bank and beach of West Roxburgh has been long consi- : dered, as now payable. No one has ever j marked it since I have been in the dis- j trict, now twenty months. That it is auriferous I have no doubt, but wholly | useless and unsuitable for mining purposes. I say this as I believe any gold taken out of this ground would cost more than its value in labor. There is also a reserve of little more than half-an-acre in possession of the ferryman. "On these grounds, I would not re- ! commend that more than l£ chains be reserved for mining purposes, if any. " This appears all that I am required |to say upon the subject ; but I respect- | fully beg to remark that the memorial and letter accompanying it are almost destitute of truth; and out of the sig- ! natures attached to the memorial, repre- j senting the inhabitants of West Roxburgh (only seventeen), some are business people ; the others, opposite whose names I have placed aX , have no interest or habitation in it ; and one of them did not sign, or authorise his name to be signed for him. J " I have the honor, &c, ' " John S. Hio_s;qs, . "Waxdw."

It may be stated, that the Government having weighed both sides of the question, have decided in favor of the petitioners, and the township will no_^ be surveyed" according to the wishes orihe majority of the residents.

_____ _k (■To the Editor of the TvdpdfaWes.) Sik, — The accompanying memorial and correspondence connected therewith will be of considerable interest to your readers in the Teviot district, and I trust you will find space for it in your columns. There is only one part of it to which I would wish to draw attention, and that is the report of Mr. Warden Hickson, who is not satisfied with the performance of what is asked of him, but must go out of his way to bring a grave charge against the memorialists — a charge, iii fact, which, to say the least of it, 'is actionable, and will be left to those gentlemen who are impeached to consider 1 what course should be adopted. These are Mr. Hickson's words :—": — " The memorial and letter accompanying it are almost destitute of truth." The letter referred to was one sent by Mr. George Mackay, of which I regret I have not a copy ; but from that gentleman's known reputation for honesty and integrity of purpose, 1 do not for a moment believe him to be capable of using language " almost dea« titute of truth." The charge, therefore, falls doubly on Mr. Mackay, as he not only signed the memorial, but forwarded the letter. If Mr. Warden Hickson does ' not withdraw the words and apologise for using them, Mr. Mackay and the memorialists should take some steps to vindicate their character so grossly impeached. I shall not enter into the particulars of the case, as to the present survey of the township, &c. , as the facts are well known to the residents ; but suffice it to say, that the Government have decided to resurvey the township in what, aft«r mature consideration, they considered to be a. more suitable position. — I am, &c. f HOHTESTY.