GOLD STEALING AT WAITAHUNA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 118, 12 May 1870, Page 5

GOLD STEALING AT WAITAHUNA.

(To tlie Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) Sir, — I wish, through the medium of your paper to bring under the notice of parties engaged in that branch of mining termed ground sluicing, that for months past the gold from our sluice, as well as that from several others in this locality, bas been robbed during -the night, thus entailing on claimholders the expense of keeping a night watch, which did not prove successful in securing the guilty parties until Monday last, when wily John Chinaman was caught panning off the head portion of our sluice. Thinking it the most prudent course to adopt, our party handed him over to the police, who, in due form, brought him before a Bench, wliich Bendigo Mac never sat upon. To my utter astonishment the innocent Mongolian was allowed to return to his old practices with impunity, along with his other chums. The reason assigned for his release being that he was not seen putting the gold in the dish. I

wonder what will bo the evidence required next. I suppose it will be necessary to see the gold sold at the bank. Now, Sir, this very serious consideration suggests itself to us. From the prevalence of the evil complained of, and the diligent and expensive watch that miners here have to keep over their property, "no savy" will very soon be entrapped again, and the query is whether we should forward the pilferer to the Chinese protectors at Tuapeka, or deal with him in a summary manner, after the Lambing Flat style, which must eventually be the case if our property is not protected by the ordinary course of law. — I am, &c, C. H. DOHAMANN. Prince of Wales Race, Waitahuna.