MILLER'S FLAT BLOCK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 171, 18 May 1871, Page 5

MILLER'S FLAT BLOCK.

(To the Editor ) Sir, — You are probably aware that some time ago, and chiefly, I believo, through the instrumentality of Mr Brown, M.P.C., a block of 3000 acres on Miller and Henderson's ran was declared open for settlement. A large number of the miners applied for leases. The runholder, either in person, or by a very transparent system of dumrnyism, attempted, however, to monopolize the whole area. This attempt was favoured by the then existing rule of offering contested sections to competition by public auction. The result was that at the request of the bonafide. applicants the block was withdrawn until an alteration in the law could be affected. This change has been brought about by the substitution of the ballot for competition by public auction, and the settlers on the block have for sometime been patiently waiting for the land being again thrown open. As yet there is no appearance of this con^ summation taking place, and there is too*, much reason to suspect that underhand*^* agencies are at work. Rumour has it*?' j that a gent— well, individual— who has I been recently imported into the district, has been hawking about a petition requesting the complete withdrawal of the block, on the ground of its being auriferous. Now, Sir, I shall say nothing of the impropriety of a public servant f lending himself as a- tool to parties working against the interests of the large bulk of the people, but shall content myself with asking whether miners seven or eight years resident in the district, or a squatter's deputy, and a squatter's deputy's flunkey, are best qualified to judge of the auriferous character of the ground? If any sensible man decides against me, I shall be content to abide by his decision. X might, Sir, occupy your space with a detailed account of the eccentricities of the person I have mention above, but as I see this has already been done in your columns by some abler hand than I can pretend to be, I shall leave him to the . merited contempt his vanity and ignor- . • ance. have excited. X shall conclude by mentioning an act of tyranny by which it was no doubt expected the residents of Miller'B Flat' would be coerced into becoming the pliable tools of the runholder, I allude, of- course, to the edict which has compelled all the settlers, too independant to sign the petition, to seek pasturage for their cattle elsewhere, .if -you permit such tyranny to pass unscathed, I caii only aay the Tttaprka Ttmbs must have greatly akorod from of yore. -^-I' am, ■^c.^ • A Toils*. Welshman** B^ach, May 13Ch.