THE POWERS THAT BE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 217, 28 March 1872, Page 6

THE POWERS THAT BE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — The members of the Waste Land Board do things in a manner peculiar to themselves, and' it is to be hoped that their action regarding the Moa Flat sale will have the effect of terminating its existence. The following case will show on what principles of justice they transact their business : —

In the vicinity of Blacks there is a large tract of agricultural land taken up and open for settlement, and the Ida Block is not far distant. Some parties applied to the Board for a flour mill site. T.here being no eligible place on the agricultural block, a si f e was applied for on the adjoining run. The Board offered to grant a lease for twenty-one years, at .a rental of £10 per year, but would allow for no improvement on the ground at the expiration of the lease. The same parties also applied to divert water from a creek for a few hundred yards, to work their machine, re-turning it again to its original course. This the Board say they have not the power to grant without the runholder's consent. It is hard to know what they have power to do, but what they' do have seems to be exercised in opposition to the general \Veal. This £10 a year is wanted for a piece of land of neither mineral nor vegetable worth — if even a goat were confined on it, it would starve in a fortnight — simply because it is desired for a flour mill site. Why, instead of putting obstructions in the way of a mill being erected, the Board really ought to give a bonus towards it, seeing that there is not a flour mill within a radius of sixty or seventy miles. The district requires a flour mill in order that the price of flour may be reduced by saving carriage ; and it also would encourage people to settle on the land, by bringing a market for produce into their vicinity. But the requirements of the people generally seem to be the last consideration of that august body. Let us hope for better things.

Time works great changes. Here we have the same man Provincial Secretary of the Goldfields now that a few years ago we almost hissed in our streets for coming as an dgent from the General Government to take' charge of our goldfields. Almost everything chauges : public opinion changes, and even Julius Yogel by this time^ may have changed, and might he induced to .withdraw those powers, even though 5} his memorable defence of them to the province he first made the Stafford Ministry totter, and paved ;fche way to bis now exalted position ; yet he might now accept for a colleague one with a portfolio as Minister of Mines, and allow the miners a, voice in the administration of their affairs, by grauting miuing boards. The Waste Land Board swept out of existence, and Provincialism, root unl branch, to follow suit, a Minister of Lands might also be added, aqd Shire Councils adopted.

, For, :: hjJ9 * plucky -opposition to the Hundreds • 'Regulation Act,- retarding !fe*ftte JWI op e WRg of ft§ lands,

thereby bringing into existence the liberal policy of the 45,000 acre block system,- a small hundred or block in the vicinity of Pyke's Track might be accorded to Donald's own use. The donation .at first sight may appear large, but the land revenue in the meantime will not suffer greatly. If Mac could have carried his resolutions of last session, he might have been appointed Lieuteunant- Governor ; and though a great friend of Julius's, the answer, " There is always an agitation in goldfields towns," makes it undesirable that he should have one of the new portfolios. But the Scandinavian fishermen for Stewart's Island will soon be here : he might take charge of them ; and with a good fishing smack at his command, he might take Martin's Bay and Preservation Inlet settlements under his wing. For the timely salvation of the province from bankruptcy, by closing the Moa Flat sale, Mr. Cutten might be sent along with Mac to see that he keeps his accounts correct. I was almost forgetting Honest John. I see he always pretty regularly rolls up to muster at the weekly meetings. He being an old colleague of Julius's, as well as of several other administrators in fie ex-qfflcio line, and being well up in the business, he might take him on as a mate for Fox. He might find him very useful when out on a pleasure trip. Having disposed of' those I deem most worthy of particular Favour, I shall subscribe myself, — Yours very truly, ,A Member op the Miners' Associa-

Clyde, March 9th.

[We have omitted some personal references to the late Warden. — Ed.