CORRESPONDENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 264, 20 February 1873, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

HOW MIXING SETTLEMENT IS EXCOU RAGED. (To tlie Editor.) Sir, — It is not my intention to occupy yonr valuable space with an abstract disquisition upon how the settlement of a mining population on our auriferous territory can be best accomplished, but rather by a simple statement of the facts relating to a simile instance, to show what serious evils may arise from the workings of the present system. The particular instance I doaire to bring before the notice of the public, is that of Speargrass Flat, situated some miles ou the south side of the Manuherikia. The geological features of the flat are, afc the lower end, wash upon a pipeclay and lignite bottom, and towards the upper end a bottom of soft slate with a shallow covering of auriferous wash. In almost every place, a payable sluicing 5 prospect can be obtained, the whole flat forming a basin with only one outlet to the river. Farther back are spurs and terraces, bearing a remarkably golden aspect, and altogether the physical features of the country are such as would gladden the heart of a prospector. In piaces, small ravines occur with the bare reef on both sides, and perhaps from one to three feet of wash on their bed, and in such crevices — for they are little more — several pile claims have been located. In order to turn to account the valuable deposits known to exist, Messrs Forrest, Symmonds, & Co., started a race from the Gorge Creek, capable of bringing to bear a large head of water upon the ground. This enterprise has been partially completed, but, perhaps, from a year to. eighteen months, must elapse before their labors are drawn to a close. In labor and material, the complete work wills at a very low estimate, represent over £3000. Now sir, what is the position of the ground this water would be available to work. Nearly every acre is locked up under the agricultural lease system, the outlet is barred, and as far as the mining community of Otago are concerned, th-3 whole Fat might as well be situated on River Amoor as on the River Molyneux. For the sake of a few paltry bushels of oats per annum, the interests of our largest producing interests are unhesitatingly sacrificed, and under theiniquitious provisions of the new Lands; Act, the tedious and expensive remedy at present applicable witt i>e rendered of absolutely no avail by the leaseholderbeing enabled to purchase the holdings, and out of three years tenure. It is time the miners, as- a body* made some stir in this matter, and by agitation and other constitutional means compel the Government to resume possession of all leased lands, which could bo shown to be presumably auriferous. It is unfortunate the Mining Conference did not deal with the matter in a bold and determined spirit. The time frittered away in discussions, upon matters; of trifling importance, and might have been much more profitably employed in making provisions against the alienation of payable ground. There are two other points in connec- ■ tion with this matter I shall, with your i permission, just touch uponv The first • arises from tike fuet that on such shallow 'ground where the- best gold is upon the bottom, an ordinary or even extended claim, is a very trifling inducement for men to expend capital in bi*inging water from long distances^ Such cases are clearly exceptional, and large areas should be granted to. enable the speculators to reimburse themselves. The second point is in connection with Messrs* Forrest and Synimonds. race. What protection have thesegentlemen for the property they hold under- tlie exceptional and Ascertain ' tenure created by the Goldfields Act» Regulations, and by the latest piece of Taieri legislation-, are left entirely at the mercy of the Waste Lands Board or the Provincial, Executive. It is sarely high time mining property should b& placed on the same basis as all othec possessions. — I aw. &c, AS&SL. Feb. 15,1873.