WAITAHUNA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 225, 23 May 1872, Page 7

WAITAHUNA.

(From our own Correspondent.) During the past week a numerously signed petition, in favour of the establishment of a Board of Wardens for the Waitahuna district, has been forwarded to Mr. G. F. C. Browne, M.P.C., and will by him be presented to His Honour the Superintendent. Many of the residents are inclined to the opinion that local administration of tlie depasturing ■interests of the district would be more satisfactory than the existing system. I noticed in a late issue of the Ttjapeka Tikes that the Inspector of Depasturing Licenses had endeavoured to obtain a second conviction against Mr. Walter Miller for depasturing sheep on , the Goldtields without a license. Now, while admiring the seal , displayed by that gentleman since he has entered upon the duties of the office, I would ask, Is Mr Miller the only one who "has rendered himself amenable to the law? What is the difference between running stock without a license and running stock' in excess of the number for which you have payed assessment ? I suppose the law is infringed in both cases, yet I have not heard of any' of the .latter delinquents having been called to account,, although there is reason for supposing their nj&me ! ialegi6n.. vi, ■;,,-, f „•.,». •;• , *> „ • f; Duiing.a previous &Mfjonr<of toe tPr*.

vincial Council, a petition was forwarded from Waitahuna, asking that certain blocks of land be rsserred for mining purposes. The petition was referred to the Goldfields Committee, which recommended that all unoccupied lands within blocks 4, 5, and 7, Table Hill district, and blocks 5 and 10, Waitahuna East, be declared a mining reserve, and exempt from 'occupation under the agricultural leasing system. In reply to & question asked a lew days since by Mr. G. F. 0. Browne, as to whether the Government had taken any steps to carry out the recommendation of the Committee, Mr. Bradshaw said the Warden had been instructed not to receive applications, f or agricultural leases in the blocks specified. After reading the reply of the Goldfielda Secretary, I was rather surprised to see in last week's " Times," an application by Mr. Joseph Dewes, for section 7. block 7, Table Hill, one of the very blocks, for which Mr. Bradshaw had stated the Warden was instructed not to receive any applications. I don't suppose there is any probability of Mr. Dewes' application being granted, as the same land was applied for by him twelve months ago, and refused by Warden Simpson, who had a knowledge of its situation, and was of the opinion that the ground was auriferous ; but still it seems strange that it should have been entertained at all.

The Murrays Flat road having become impassable for heavy traffic, the Round Hill has again to be faced by teamsters, and the road through Waitahuna Gully made use of. It is in consequence getting pretty well cut up, and only requires a day or two's rain to render it a perfect quagmire.