WARDEN'S COURT, LAWRENCE

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 251, 21 November 1872, Page 7

WARDEN'S COURT, LAWRENCE

(Before Vincent Pyke, Esq., Warden.) Wedsssdat, November 20. Seven Chinamen were brought up, charged with mining at Uungt *wn with« out havi ig in their possession the necessary ''rights." Tiiey pleaded poverty, hufc expressed willingness to take out miners' rights forthwith, In ooiwicU?r»-

tion of their doing so, they were each lined 10s., with the alternative of three day's incarceration.

Mesrra. R. and J. Elliott, Jl'Neilly, Christie, and Smith applied for agricultural leases for sections 17, 18, 19, 20. 41. 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34. and 40, Tuapeka West.

The applications were objected to. by M'Coy on behalf of a committee appointed for that purpose, on the ground that the applicants were " dummies ; " and by Mr. Hayes on the part of the Beaumont and Tuapeka Water Kace, ou the ground that the land applied for was auriferous.

Mr. Monat, on behalf of the applicants, applied for an adjournment for a month. His clients had been very much disappointed at the action taken by the public, which he believed would result in the whole of the laud applied for falling into the hands of the neighbouring runholder. His clients wished for an adjournment, in order to consider whether they would withdraw or persevere in their applications. Also that they wished to ascertain the provisions of the new Land Bill. As far as i he Beaumont and Tuapeka Race was cconcertn t d, his clients were willing to enter into a band to allow their ground to be worked if found auriferous.

The Warden said relative "to the objection raised by Mr. Suritlr that he had seen the map, which showed .Mr. Smith to be in error. That gentleman had a right only to section 49, and parts i>f section 32 and 36. The Court had no power to receive applications for that land, as the pastoral lease had nut been cancelled over it.

Mr Mouat said the land referred, to by his Worship was the most valuable*iiL the whole area applied for, as it containtdL the only permanent wat^r. If it wercF not granted, all thereniaiuder of the laud • would bs useless. So far as his cl eiits were concerned, he might state that they were jointly interested in the application.3. .Mr. M.mat, after consulting with .his client, withdrew the applicationa for the remainder of the section.*, lie remarked that it was exceedingly discouraging to men who 'were interested in the progress of the district to see settlement prevented as it had been done iv the present case. He thought the objections frivolous and vexatious, and hoped the (.bjejtors would have to pay co.sts. Mr. M"Cuy applied for costs for hisclients. The Warden considered it would be insulting to the patriotic feelings of th.3 objectors to o&nr-.them payment. Mr. M'Coy opined that haniling coins of the realm would add to the gratification they experienced atthe turn the case had taken. The application of James Smith for an agricnliurrtl le«ise waca objected to by Mr, Bayliss, Secretary to the Waitahuna Miners' Protectiou Society, aud withdrawn. The application of the Beaumont and Tuapeka Water Race Company for a dam and reservoir at the Devils Backbone was granted. John Roche's application for a residence area was refused, the Warden observing that the same argument against granting agricultural leases applied against granting residence areas. In the case of their being required for gold mining, compensation would have to be paid, the amount of which would have to be fixed 1»y the arbitration which is so much objected to. He would refuse to grunt any more residence areas until the people came to their senses, and saw the injury they were inflicting un the country by locking up the land against settlement. P. Lyug and R. Andrews each applied for an agricultural lease in block VI., Tuapeka West. Mr. Mouat appeared for ' _ the applicants ; Mr. Hayes, on behalf of the Beaumont and Tuapeka Water Race Co., objected on similar grounds to. those lie preferred against Elliott's application. Mr. M'Coy appeared to oppose thegrauting of the lease on the ground that the applicants were dummies, Mr. Mouat objected to Mr. M'Coy appearing, as no objection had been ssnt in as required. After some argument, Mr. M'Coy was allowed to m ike a statamont as " a member of the public." Mr. M'Coy said his o'vjectiou was that the applicants were dummies. ■ In regard to Mr. Hayes' objection, Mr. Mouat said his clients were willing to enter into an arrangement with the parties. In support of Mr. Ha\'es' objection, James Graham, workiug manager of the Beaumont and Tuapeka Watsr Raco, said he had visited the land in question. It was on the line of the race. There were no notices posted up that he could see. " In cross-examination witness stated that in his opinion, the land was auriferous, and that quartz reefs existed thereabouts. Mr. Hayes said it wa3 very hard that after the Beaumont and Tuapeka RaceCompany had gone to such" expense, on the faith of being able to work this land, that it should be taken up and occupied. Patrick Lyn<( said he applied for the land for himself, and not as agent for any person, and no one wa? interested in the application but himself. John Michael said he was not interos*. ted in either Lyn/'s or Andrews' applications. He advised them to take, up the land, and undertook the posting of the. notices for them. ' . , Mr. M'Coy here withdrew the objec- | tion. The applications were adjourned for a | week to allow the parties v to arrange with the Beaumont and Tuapeka Water Kace. Mr. Mouat on behalf of .Robert Elliot, * applied for an agricultural lease on block 18, Blue Spur. Mr. C iplantl on the part of certain residents of the Ulne Spur, opposed the application on the ground , th.vt it would interfere with aouimonage rights, and also that the ground Wfts iv close proximity to the g»M workings. The Warden said h^ would not "rant any leases on blocks 18 or 19 till ths people saw the folly >»f the course they •>- were fallowing, whicU mml-l be very, soon, John Roqghan applied for an agricultural lease. P- Duffy objected to it* being granted, on the ground that a road was wanted through one of the section^. The Warden adjourned the' matter till he had inspected the land, James O'BrieuV application foe an agricultural lease was granted. J, Millar's application for a four acre I extended claim at Wetheratoneß, waa refused,