BLUE SPUR AFFAIRS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 106, 19 February 1870, Page 5

BLUE SPUR AFFAIRS.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times),

Sir, — The Blue Spur has for some years been the most steady and productive locality in the province, as regards its yield of gold. At the present moment it is the chief support of thi3 district. The future prospects of the Spur do not, however, look so promising, and the reason, in my opinion, and in the opinion of the majority of the repidents here, is not far to seek. The rash, hasty, and inconsiderate judgments given by the present holder of office in the district have much to do with the stato of intolerant confusion and litigation which exist, and there does not appear any likelihood of any check being placed upon this state of affairs, which has been steadily increasing for the last twelve months. I will giv© you an instance of the manner in which the Warden disregards the general interests of the Spur. To one party he has granted a right to flume tailings over acres of ground where those tailings could not be deposited for. years to come, and to pass those tailings from a height of forty feet among the lower tail races. This will have the effect, in a short time, of swamping the low claims, of which there are five on the Gabriels side, and only two higher claims. As those lower claims are working near the bed rock, where the gold is best, the effects will be damaging in the extreme when they have to raise their working. The parties who have got those grants from the Warden do not deny their intentions by any means, viz., to have the greater portion of the Spur in their own hands at no distant date. But, sir, a remedy must be provided for this state of affairs. The first step ought to be the removal of the cause, and the next, the appointment of a practical engineer who could point out a method of working that would be fair to all parties, otherwise all the profits of the claims will fall into the hands of the lawyers, where a much too large share is already going. Nineteen out of twenty of the miners on tho Spur wish the old Major back to decide these matters amongst them, for whenever any difficulty existed, rather than take the onus upon himself, he wisely appointed assessors, and was guided by their judgment. I would not have it supposed from what I have said that the Warden acts from any improper motives, but that his want of practical experience, and the absence of those qualities which are indispensable to any man who holds such an important position, lead him often out of his depth. — I am, &c, James M'Kinlay. Blue Spur, Feb. 4, 1870.