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Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 93, 20 November 1869, Page 3

'agree with him in regard to the sale of land in the goldfields. He felt convinced that mining in Otago was jtterely in its infancy, otherwise lie •\vomd not have presented himself on thai occasion. I£ they were satisfied that the province could do without mining, then they might do what they Jiked with the goldfields land, but if they found that mining could not be dispensed with without detrimentally affecting the province, I then he would advise them to encourage and foster it, and throw no impediments in the way of the working miners. He took that broad ground, believing it was better to do so than to confine the question to an isolated case, which he trusted the block near the Horse Shoe Bend would be found to be They would, in his opinion, find that ground, upon which people did not think of mining could be worked advantageously ; for large companies would be established, and a good supply of water secured, which, if it could be obtained at the present time, would facilitate the working of ground which would be found to be payable. In Nelson, land had been sold which had since proved to be highly auriferous, and the people in that province were consequently not at all satisfied with the course pursued. Instead, therefore, of curtailing mining enterprise, it would be far better if encouragement and assistance were given to the miners, in prospecting the ground. The aimer on taking out a miner's right sai<i to himself " The goldfields of Otago are extensive." He took OTit a miner's right, and believed that the Government would not in an arbitrary or hasty manner deprive him of his capital, namely, the atuiferous ground Now, us carrying out the system of selling land on the goldfields, unless they were satisfied it would not interfere with mining operations, they must look upon it as curtailing the capital of the miner. If large quantities of water could be brought from the Molyneux, there would be five or ten miners where there was now but one. At the Teviot the cry was for water, and there too, if water were procurable, there would be six times as many miners at work. Mr Thomson, in one of his reports, had stated that he was surprised that miners had not invented some appliances by which they could get water from the Molyneux. If, however, encouragement were given by the Government, and such an invention carried out, it would tend very materially to the increase of the population. Should the block mentioned be sold, mining operations would be interfered with, because an obstacle to bringing in water by means of l-aces would be raised. There was a feeling also in the district that the land would fall into the hands of speculators, and if so, those who had been waiting in anticipation of ultimately procuring agricultural leases would be greatly disappointed. For these reasons, he would respectfully urge upon ihe Government the propriety of meeting the earnest wishes of the people of the Benger District by withdrawing the block in question from sale, and proclaiming it open for agricultural purposes under the leasing system. Mining parties were favourable to mixed occupations ; some would devote themselves to mining and some to agriculture. The residents in the district believe that something like a breach of good faith would be committed by the Government were they to carry out the proposal to sell the Island Block. It should also be borne in mind that when people came from the home country to settle in a new country like this upon the goldfields, they looked at the old regulations and expected that things would be carried out as hitherto ,• but if the Government altered the regulations, and initiated others by which the prospects of those people were interfered with, their disappointment and loss would be great. There could be no object in injuring one class of workers to the detriment,of another ; indeed he believed the Government would be sorry to do so. But if the proposal to sell the block were adopted, an impression would be left on the minds of those interested that they had been unfairly treated, and that speculators in land had obtained an undue advantage over them.

Mr Gillies could only say that, from memory, as well as from a note made at the time, the statement he made was to the following effect :— " Island Block— If Clarke will take ss, then sell ; if not, then lease " (for the cancellation of the block). So distinct was his recollection in regard to this district that he would not recommend the Government to grant leases. He discovered that crops had been taken off land which was abandoned, and that land had been leased for years, and no rent paid. It was land of that character that, looking to the general interests of the country, should not be leased. He, however, distinctly and emphatically denied having made such a promise as that stated by Mr Mervyn. As regarded speculators, many of the applicants for agricultural leases would, perhaps, be speculators. Again, it had been stated by Mr Warden Wood, that as there were so many applications, the only fair method of dealing with the applicants would be by putting up the land for sale. A discussion of a conversational nature then took place, and ultimately

His Honour intimated that the Executive would consider the request of the deputation, and make them acquainted with their decision. The deputation then withdrew.

We "have been requested by Mr Mervyn to publish the following letter relating to ihis subject : — Government Offices, Dunedin, 10th Nov. Gentlemen-- With reference to +he interview which you had this afternoon with His Honour the Superintendent and the Executive Council, on the subject of the sale of the Island Block, I am directed to inform you, .that, after full consideration, the Government see no reason why tKe sale should not be proceeded with. I am to state, at the same time, that due provision has been, made to secure Valuation in respect of improvement to those parties who have been settled on the block, and that the right to construct water races for mining purposes will be in no way prejudiced by the sale. In fact, the races now being formed are specially exempted therefrom. • I am to add further, that the policy of the Government is not to sell land on the goldfields to the detriment of the mining interest, but to piomote ike settlement thereof by every means at its disposal, which it considers the best means of facilitating the development of the auriferous resources of the province. — T have 'the honour to be, gentlemen, &c. , Alex. "Willts. D. H. Mervyn and G. Ireland, Eeqp.